Big East's Toughest Places to Play

[xufan2434]

Cintas coming at #1 in the conference. Say what you want about Dana O'Neil but I think she actually tends to give X and the Big East more credit than pretty much everyone else at ESPN

Haha, the number 1 is great.. But putting Hinkle at 2 makes it that much sweeter :laugh:


http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/17141329/big-east-venues-ranked-according-difficulty

[X-band '01]

As fun as it is to see Cintas at the top, Villanova's Pavilion is grossly underrated. They haven't lost at the Pavilion since the new Big East began 3 years ago. Their only 2 losses were at the Wells Fargo Center against Creighton (2014) and Providence last season.

[novachap]

As fun as it is to see Cintas at the top, Villanova's Pavilion is grossly underrated. They haven't lost at the Pavilion since the new Big East began 3 years ago. Their only 2 losses were at the Wells Fargo Center against Creighton (2014) and Providence last season.

Mixed feelings on this. Since 1994 Nova is 223-29 at the ski lodge (88.5%). Since nBE, as noted, no losses... however, with the exception of you guys last year (and the weirdness surrounding that game), we typically don't play the toughest home games there---that said, we do play Seton Hall, Butler, Marquette, Creighton there. Usually play Prov, Georgetown, St. John's and the marquee OOC games at Wells Fargo Center. So, I am not really sure how to gauge it---I think the list is probably pretty accurate. Our stats overall the last 3 years have been ridiculous, so not sure how much relates to the venue at home or just the fact we have had a pretty good team.

We are forever hopeful in Nova land that someday the place gets really upgraded (Cintas level), size and quality--which we are all pretty certain won't get there due to the local township. Anyway, looking forward to the renovations plan.

Side note, my guess is our game with you next year is at Wells Fargo... no incentive to limit our games there this year and it will be too big to have at the Pavilion.

[LadyMuskie]

Cintas coming at #1 in the conference. Say what you want about Dana O'Neil but I think she actually tends to give X and the Big East more credit than pretty much everyone else at ESPN

Haha, the number 1 is great.. But putting Hinkle at 2 makes it that much sweeter :laugh:


http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/17141329/big-east-venues-ranked-according-difficulty

I'm reading and loving the article until the brawl gets mentioned. Really, Dana? Dana needs to pull an Elsa and Let it f-ing go!

[X-band '01]

Mixed feelings on this. Since 1994 Nova is 223-29 at the ski lodge (88.5%). Since nBE, as noted, no losses... however, with the exception of you guys last year (and the weirdness surrounding that game), we typically don't play the toughest home games there---that said, we do play Seton Hall, Butler, Marquette, Creighton there. Usually play Prov, Georgetown, St. John's and the marquee OOC games at Wells Fargo Center. So, I am not really sure how to gauge it---I think the list is probably pretty accurate. Our stats overall the last 3 years have been ridiculous, so not sure how much relates to the venue at home or just the fact we have had a pretty good team.

We are forever hopeful in Nova land that someday the place gets really upgraded (Cintas level), size and quality--which we are all pretty certain won't get there due to the local township. Anyway, looking forward to the renovations plan.

Side note, my guess is our game with you next year is at Wells Fargo... no incentive to limit our games there this year and it will be too big to have at the Pavilion.

There's something to be said about selling out a bandbox of 8,000-10,000 rabid fans as opposed to a crowd of maybe 15,000-16,000 that only fills an arena to 75-80% capacity. Last year, Xavier was an opponent worthy of a Wells Fargo crowd, but Villanova could only play so many WFC games last year since they were trying to land in the East regional last year. If Xavier and their fans are thinking the odds are better at playing in downtown Philly, I'd imagine that Villanova would try to play X in the Pavilion as long as the home-court edge is decisive. Xavier hasn't come close to a competitive game in Philly yet.


I'm reading and loving the article until the brawl gets mentioned. Really, Dana? Dana needs to pull an Elsa and Let it f-ing go!

SOP LadyMuskie - just like Death, taxes and low-hanging bre...

...nah, it ain't worth it.

[novachap]

There's something to be said about selling out a bandbox of 8,000-10,000 rabid fans as opposed to a crowd of maybe 15,000-16,000 that only fills an arena to 75-80% capacity. Last year, Xavier was an opponent worthy of a Wells Fargo crowd, but Villanova could only play so many WFC games last year since they were trying to land in the East regional last year. If Xavier and their fans are thinking the odds are better at playing in downtown Philly, I'd imagine that Villanova would try to play X in the Pavilion as long as the home-court edge is decisive. Xavier hasn't come close to a competitive game in Philly yet.



SOP LadyMuskie - just like Death, taxes and low-hanging bre...

...nah, it ain't worth it.

I wish the bandbox had 8-10K. Only 6,500 now. With the exception of the blizzard game with Providence last year, we did sell out/virtually sell out the WFC on the other games. Virginia will be a sell out for sure. I don't think Nova holds the game back to the pavilion as a way to create more of advantage. Doesn't help in the long run. I'd bet because of the high perceived rankings of both teams they will have it at WFC and it will sell out. Be one hell of an atmosphere that is for sure.

[Drew]

I wish the bandbox had 8-10K. Only 6,500 now. With the exception of the blizzard game with Providence last year, we did sell out/virtually sell out the WFC on the other games. Virginia will be a sell out for sure. I don't think Nova holds the game back to the pavilion as a way to create more of advantage. Doesn't help in the long run. I'd bet because of the high perceived rankings of both teams they will have it at WFC and it will sell out. Be one hell of an atmosphere that is for sure.

Hope your right, that would be an awesome game.

[MuskieCinci]

I wish the bandbox had 8-10K. Only 6,500 now. With the exception of the blizzard game with Providence last year, we did sell out/virtually sell out the WFC on the other games. Virginia will be a sell out for sure. I don't think Nova holds the game back to the pavilion as a way to create more of advantage. Doesn't help in the long run. I'd bet because of the high perceived rankings of both teams they will have it at WFC and it will sell out. Be one hell of an atmosphere that is for sure.

When does Villanova release their full schedule with the arenas, dates, and times? Like you said I think the home court advantage of playing at the Pavilion is negated when the school can make oodles more money with 17,000 fans at Wells Fargo which is definitely where the Xavier game will be played this season unless there are weird scheduling issues preventing it.

[X-band '01]

It can't be released until the Big East releases its schedule - that's not likely to happen until mid to late August.

[RetireFiftyTu]

It's obviously not Hinkle: https://vine.co/v/intV2359JpM
Hinkle should honestly be 4th at best.

[mid major]

I think I love this conference.

[THRILLHOUSE]

It can't be released until the Big East releases its schedule - that's not likely to happen until mid to late August.

If even that soon. Wasn't released until September 8th last year.