Big East Tournament Thread

[Muskie]

MOR might blow a gasket.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

He will be ok. He will just move down Into the empty seats.

[xu82]

He will be ok. He will just move down Into the empty seats.

Went down to empty seats today at SEC tourney today. Got a call from work and had to leave, then they wouldn't let me back in to join my family. They were all the same price, why the hell wouldn't you want the lower bowl to be full? Took me a while to sneak back down.... but I can be pretty sneaky.

[Masterofreality]

Looks like the losses by Nova and St. John's are really hurting the attendance tonight. Hopefully it get's better for X and Creighton.

Late arrivals in New York. The Knicks are famous for them.

Looks like lots of people there to me, plus Creighton fans will also come at halftime.

[whiteyxu]

1401

I hate ESPN's website. Notice anything missing?

They even had to squeeze the SEC and Pac 12 into the same heading in order to get those 6 together and leave the Big East out of it.

I have actually seen the Big East Tournament listed up there, but I think it was yesterday afternoon when it was all "old Big East" teams playing.

[xsteve1]

Late arrivals in New York. The Knicks are famous for them.

Looks like lots of people there to me, plus Creighton fans will also come at halftime.

Yeah, looks like it's filling up. I would have preferred Nova winning yesterday to really have a great atmosphere. Still not bad though.

[xubrew]

Would it have killed Fox to put the semis and finals on the flagship station??

Rake is on right now...whatever the hell that is.

[waggy]

What you can't afford cable?

[X-band '01]

Would it have killed Fox to put the semis and finals on the flagship station??

Rake is on right now...whatever the hell that is.

This is all about building a brand for Fox Sports 1 - this tournament and MLB are going to be some of their showcase events for the next several months.

[X-band '01]

What you can't afford cable?

Trust me, Brew is putting lots of kids at one of the dish networks through college with his satellite bill.

[xu82]

Go Providence! I don't care what the seeding says, I've seen enough of us against Seton Hall. Not a pretty match up.

[X-band '01]

Even Providence hasn't been a good matchup for Xavier this year, but I've got to think playing a 6-man rotation will add up for them should they survive and advance.

[xu82]

I'm not saying Providence is a cake walk - just that they have caused me less emotional pain this year. And a great point about depth in this format. That's a big deal.

[XUFan09]

Trust me, Brew is putting lots of kids at one of the dish networks through college with his satellite bill.

How else is he able to watch all those friggin' games?

[X-band '01]

I'm sorry, but every time I hear LaDontae Henton come up I think about all of his high school stats that Muddy Waters/Swampy Meadows would quote verbatim daily.

[Masterofreality]

I'm sorry, but every time I hear LaDontae Henton come up I think about all of his high school stats that Muddy Waters/Swampy Meadows would quote verbatim daily.

Well, he was smart and went somewhere other than udump

[Masterofreality]

Gus Johnson could call my grass cutting and make it sound epic.

[xu82]

Even Providence hasn't been a good matchup for Xavier this year, but I've got to think playing a 6-man rotation will add up for them should they survive and advance.

I'm sure Providence will root for us as much as I'm rooting for them.

[X-band '01]

Well, he was smart and went somewhere other than udump

He decommitted after Gregory took the Ga Tech job. So yes, Henton is very mature for his age.

[X-band '01]

Gus Johnson could call a wife going through labor and make it sound epic.

Fixed that for you MOR.

[Masterofreality]

Gotta tell you. Fox Sports 1 is doing a fantastic job of televising this Tournament. Just superb.

I really like the way that ESPN keeps those court shots nice and tight, while FS1 gives Garden panoramas.

[X-band '01]

PC moves on to their first Big East title game since the mid-90s.

[mistabeecee41]

PC moves on to their first Big East title game since the mid-90s.

not that I feel as if it really matters at this point - but they also slide into the RPI top 50. Gives us 4 big ones.

7 (Creighton)
15 (Cincy)
41(Tenn)
48 (PC)

[GoMuskies]

One HUGE effort away from playing PC for a Big East title on the big stage. Pumped!

[Masterofreality]

not that I feel as if it really matters at this point - but they also slide into the RPI top 50. Gives us 4 big ones.

7 (Creighton)
15 (Cincy)
41(Tenn)
48 (PC)

They are up to 49 on Pomeroy now too...ahead of the Cryers.

[BandAid]

This might belong in the FS1 thread. But I absolutely adore the look-ins to the coaches' halftime meetings. It's a really cool insight.

[Masterofreality]

MSG looks full.......and LOUD!

Great for the League. Congrats Val Ackerman. Well done!

[xsteve1]

Cooley looks to have a good game plan for Creighton. Make them grind it out.

[Masterofreality]

Cooley looks to have a good game plan for Creighton. Make them grind it out.

Well, it will sure help if Creighton keeps missing 3's.

[waggy]

Providence wants to make McBaby play D - going at him on their offensive end. So McDaddy put Baby on Cotton. Smart.

[gladdenguy]

5 pts in 7 minutes for Creighton. They scored 5 in less than a minute last night. I knew Creighton would sh!t the bed tonight.

[XU3232]

Yea I had no doubt this would happen. I hope Creighton turns it on.

[xsteve1]

This is my fear for Creighton in the NCAA's. When they are cold they are very average.

[xsteve1]

Providence really wants a piece of that blue carpet.

[gladdenguy]

This pisses me off. Gonna be a play in game if this keeps up

[Masterofreality]

So......It has to be NOW that Creighton decides to start missing shots.

That's about our luck this year.

[gladdenguy]

11 points with 4 min left. They had 11 at the first tv timeout last night. I wanna punch Doug and Daddy.

[XU3232]

These first half numbers from Creighton are laughable. They are ice cold.

[Cheesehead]

Is this the same team? Can't be. Mack should watch the tape from this game.

[bjf123]

They got 17 at the half. Last night, they had 19 at the under 12 time out. Bastards!


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[GreatWhiteNorth]

Did they ever scored only 17 pts at half time? 1/12 for 3 pts. C'mon guys, this is the championship game.

[xavierj]

They got 17 at the half. Last night, they had 19 at the under 12 time out. Bastards!


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Xavier wore them out last night.

[American X]

Ed Cooley can coach.

Last night Creighton was lightning quick moving the ball around for quality shots, but apparently forgot how to do so tonight. They should ideally suited to beat this Providence zone. This first half may be the bigger surprise of the tournament than Seton Hall knocking off Villanova.

[xsteve1]

I still thin X avoids the Dump if PC wins this. Third place in the 3rd or 4th best league in the country. X will be a 10 or 11 seed.

[xu 89]

i think we are a 10/11 regardless of what pc does. xu will not be in the play in game.

[Masterofreality]

Is this the same team? Can't be. Mack should watch the tape from this game.

Here's the deal. You could see Creighton starting to fade in the last 10 minutes of ou game last night. The problem was that Xavier couldn't make shots to put even more pressure on them. Creighton did mos of their damage against us in the first 30 minutes. Wragge and Gibbs couldn't miss last night. Tonight they are and even McDermott is missing open shots.

[xsteve1]

Here's the deal. You could see Creighton starting to fade in the last 10 minutes of ou game last night. The problem was that Xavier couldn't make shots to put even more pressure on them. Creighton did mos of their damage against us in the first 30 minutes. Wragge and Gibbs couldn't miss last night. Tonight they are and even McDermott is missing open shots.

Also Martin and Reynolds getting into early foul trouble was a problem and McDermott was getting superstar treatment last night, something he hasn't so far tonight.

[xsteve1]

If PC can play like this in the NCAA's they'll do some damage.

[waggy]

G'dam that was a sweet play by Cotton.

[paulxu]

I sure wish they had been 3-17 from behind the arc against us last night. Christ.

[vee4xu]

Per Palm: Xavier, Gonzaga and ud are the other #11 seeds. The #11 seed play in game is SMU and BYU. ud beat Gonzaga, but Gonzaga won their tournament, so no play in for them. X has a better SOS than ud.

Providence and Tennessee are currently in the #12 seed play in game. If Providence wins tonight, they are not eligible to play a play in game, so someone will have to take their spot in Palm's bracket.

Who knows at this point?

[vee4xu]

Lunardi has X as one of the last, last four byes and ud as the top first four out. He also has Nebraska in the mix, which Palm does not.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I think/fear if Providence holds on then they will swap spots with X and we will be going to Dayton.

Bryce Cotton is putting on a show.

[vee4xu]

Creighton 5-21 from 3 pt range tonight

[THRILLHOUSE]

Creighton 5-21 from 3 pt range tonight

Of course they are.

[BMoreX]

I think/fear if Providence holds on then they will swap spots with X and we will be going to Dayton.

Bryce Cotton is putting on a show.

I agree.

[paulxu]

When Doug puts it up, there's this collective inhalation you can hear...and this expectation it's just going to go in.
Fascinating to watch (except last night...it sucked then).

[xu82]

Creighton 5-21 from 3 pt range tonight
So they are mortal? Why couldn't we see some of that? Let's hope they start looking like Creighton again soon.

[vee4xu]

Check this out.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology/team-comparison/undefined/PROV

[XU 87]

Creighton 5-21 from 3 pt range tonight

Does better defense have anything to do with that? I didn't see the first half but except for maybe one three , their threes have been contested in the second half.

Make that two. The center was wide open and bricked it.

[vee4xu]

Check this out.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology/team-comparison/undefined/PROV

Go in an click on Xavier in the opposite box to see a side-by-side comparison with Providence.

[BMoreX]

They are missing wide open 3's.

[vee4xu]

Not sure 87, I just saw the stat online. Not watching the game.

[waggy]

Jay Bilas: Did you see Batts flop there?

[THRILLHOUSE]

Wragge is killing Creighton tonight. He is bricking everything.

[SM#24]

F Wragge, where was that last night

[vee4xu]

Well, it's going to be whatever it will be at this point. Everything determining Xavier's NCAA fate is completely out of Xavier's hands.

[vee4xu]

Don't pick Creighton to go too far in your NCAA bracket pools.

Good night.

[StanleyOwnsYou]

Getting pretty physical.. PC got away with an over the back and Greg McD almost got T'ed up. Can't believe I'm rooting for Creighton but what the hell.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Can't believe I'm rooting for Creighton but what the hell.

I'm yelling at the TV as if X is playing right now. Cmon Creighton...

[GoMuskies]

Wragge is horrible if someone actually guards him.

[SM#24]

F Manigat too

[BMoreX]

Oh man that Henton shot was cold blooded.

[BMoreX]

All biases/fanhood aside, this is a fantastic game.

[StanleyOwnsYou]

McDermott's last 2 3s have been from 25 feet. Dude is not human.

[paulxu]

All biases/fanhood aside, this is a fantastic game.

Yes

[BMoreX]

Too deep there, Dougie. That might do it.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Too deep there, Dougie. That might do it.

they way he was shooting I wasn't mad at that attempt though.

Welp, guess our first game will be on the road in Dayton. Lovely.

[paulxu]

Fascinating a Dayton cast off seals the win for Providence.

[StanleyOwnsYou]

So Providence jumps us for sure with the win… Have to hope Tennessee's loss to UF slides them behind us I guess.

[XU 87]

Wragge is horrible if someone actually guards him.

I think that's the key. X didn't guard him last night.

[sgarcia]

Haha providence won the big east. Am I back in the a10? That's pathetic.

[BandAid]

Creighton can't do anything right

[BMoreX]

Haha providence won the big east. Am I back in the a10? That's pathetic.

What? Why? They played a great game tonight, were fourth in the conference.

[SkyWalker]

Congrats Friars. Well played; well coached!

[RealDeal]

Haha providence won the big east. Am I back in the a10? That's pathetic.

You are a straight up idiot.

[THRILLHOUSE]

What? Why? They played a great game tonight, were fourth in the conference.

yeah, Providence is a good team and well coached. Didn't want them to win tonight, but certainty not embarrassed that they are Big East champs.

[Xavier]

So Providence jumps us for sure with the win… Have to hope Tennessee's loss to UF slides them behind us I guess.

Agreed, I'm not worried about making the tournament....but the play in game is now a real possibility.

[sgarcia]

What? Why? They played a great game tonight, were fourth in the conference.

4th in a very average conference with a very average conference record.

[paulxu]

Val! Well, take the mike and say something. OK, don't.

[BMoreX]

4th in a very average conference with a very average conference record.

Fourth best conference rpi in the country...

[waggy]

a very average conference.

This is simply not correct.

[XUFan09]

4th in a very average conference with a very average conference record.

A very average conference? It's the #4 conference by RPI and #3 conference by Kenpom. It has a couple of elite teams and a bunch of decent teams that beat up on each other.

[American X]

Providence to the Sweet Sixteen.

I am glad Cotton and Henton get to play in the NCAA tournament and am very impressed with Ed Cooley.

[xavierj]

4th in a very average conference with a very average conference record.

Why do you think it is a very average conference? Because the media tells you that?

[xsteve1]

All biases/fanhood aside, this is a fantastic game.

I can't wait till X plays in a game like that for the BE championship.

[xsteve1]

Got to think UDump gets a home game. You can't place the 3rd place team in the BE in a PIG compared to the 6th place team in the A10.

[xsteve1]

A very average conference? It's the #4 conference by RPI and #3 conference by Kenpom. It has a couple of elite teams and a bunch of decent teams that beat up on each other.

No reason to try to change peoples minds that have no clue.

[XU 87]

A very average conference? It's the #4 conference by RPI and #3 conference by Kenpom. It has a couple of elite teams and a bunch of decent teams that beat up on each other.

Yea, but setting aside those indisputable facts, it's average.

[RealDeal]

Providence to the Sweet Sixteen.

I am glad Cotton and Henton get to play in the NCAA tournament and am very impressed with Ed Cooley.

Ed Cooley is very impressive. They deserve it.

[BMoreX]

BluejayReport ‏@BluejayReport 1m

Bryce Cotton earns Most Outstanding Player. Chatman, McDermott (CU) Teague (SH), Christon (XU) Henton (PC) make up All-Tournament Team.

[drudy23]

Can a Conference Champion play in the play-in game?

[xsteve1]

Yea, but setting aside those indisputable facts, it's average.

That can be said to just about every league.

[sgarcia]

Only if it's a 16 seed I believe but I could be wrong.

[American X]

Very average conference? All 10 Big East teams would win the A-10.

[XU3232]

Can a Conference Champion play in the play-in game?

No they can't.

[BMoreX]

Hard to root against Cooley.

[KabeX]

Hard to root against Cooley.
Yep. He had em ready. V. good coach and seems to be really good guy. Easy to root for the Friars but I still don't want to play in the Dump. EVER.

[Masterofreality]

Remember last June 25, 2013?

Dana O'Neil on ESPN, after the Big East had announced a new TV deal with Fox and had added X, Creighton and Butler, called the new league "A Circus".

Well, the Circus came to Madison Square Garden in New York to big and raucous crowds and great games. Big East Attendance last night- 15,290. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC attendance 13,554. Now Aresco is wanting to "rotate" the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC tourney to different venues.

So...what "circus" is on the road?

[NY44]

Maybe others who went to the tournament can attest to this, but I was ecstatic that Providence won because Creighton fans were beyond obnoxious. They were making fun of teams for making 2 pointers instead of 3s. One guy was even telling Stainbrook to enjoy diabetes. Any argument was swiftly ended when anyone asked them about next year.

[WCWIII]

Remember last June 25, 2013?
Well, the Circus came to Madison Square Garden in New York to big and raucous crowds and great games. Big East Attendance last night- 15,290?

The atmosphere last night was fantastic - Providence fans showed up in force while Creighton has been extremely well represented. Tough play all around - wished Creighton would have shot as poorly against us.

Overall, I had Xavier fans ranked third during the week behind Creighton and Villanova (until they lost). But we had the best student section and band of all the BIG East schools IMO. Congrats to the students driving all night or doing whatever it took to be here. Very cool experience this whole BE tourney package. Xavier and the BE on billboards, subways, and lighted up on signs around MSG. Congrats to the league for putting on a very good show despite only having 8 months or so.

[Masterofreality]

The atmosphere last night was fantastic - Providence fans showed up in force while Creighton has been extremely well represented. Tough play all around - wished Creighton would have shot as poorly against us.

Overall, I had Xavier fans ranked third during the week behind Creighton and Villanova (until they lost). But we had the best student section and band of all the BIG East schools IMO. Congrats to the students driving all night or doing whatever it took to be here. Very cool experience this whole BE tourney package. Xavier and the BE on billboards, subways, and lighted up on signs around MSG. Congrats to the league for putting on a very good show despite only having 8 months or so.

It's only gonna get better and better. Wait until this years recruiting classes mature and the league is fully organized.

I love this Conference!