Questions and Answers

Bearcats Blog apologizes for the lack of Memorable Bearcats and Games posts this week. We'll get back to that next week. Today, we'll do questions and answers, starring myself.

What Big East coach picked St John's to win the Big East?

Rick Pitino did. He said he would have picked UC to win, but didn't want to put that pressure on Mick. I don't know what's happened to Rick Pitino the past year. Well, we all know what's happened to Rick Pitino in the past year, but I meant more basketball wise. Louisville never seemed to get the right mix going last season, after the disappointing loss to Michigan State in the Elite 8. The Cards have a couple of big recruiting classes coming in the next few seasons, so we'll see if Pitino still has the magic.

What Bearcats Blog first team Big East player was booted from his team?

That would be Jamine Peterson of Providence. It hasn't been said what made Keno Davis boot him off the team, but the leading scorer and rebounder won't be back. I don't know if it's going to be such a terrible thing for the Friars. Peterson earned the nickname of Greedy from the Friar faithful. Maybe that's just a cool nickname, but it also means he was a black hole once he touched the ball. Peterson didn't care as much about defense as Friar fans would have liked, but who really played defense on Providence last season? I think the answer was no one. I like watching Providence play because their brand of basketball is exciting. I would rip my hair out if I were a Providence fan though. Especially after the disaster against South Florida. Looking back on it, both the South Florida games were disasters for Providence. The first meeting saw the Friars blow a 12 point lead with 2 minutes left and a 5 point lead with 11 seconds left. They would lose in OT. In the second meeting, they gave up a 7 point lead with 5 minutes left, took a late lead, but gave up a lay up to Dominque Jones, who was fouled by Curry, who got hit with a technical. Providence probably doesn't want to see them on the schedule twice next season.

I heard from Brian Bennett that Phil Steele's list of All America teams came out. Were any Big East players on it?

Yes. On the second team were Pitt Panther stars Dion Lewis, Jonathan Baldwin and Greg Romeus, and Mountaineer Robert Sands. The fourth team featured WVU back Noel Devine and UConn LB Lawrence Wilson.

What about Steele's Big East team?

What about it? Get off Phil Steele already. No one cares.

Is there talk of the Big East getting rid of the double bye in the Big East Tournament?

Yes there is. I'm a big fan of getting rid of the double bye. It was stupid from the get go. For one, it punished every team who had to play on Tuesday. It also punished the teams who received the double bye, not counting Louisville, who won the whole thing. The first year, Pitt and UConn lost. Last season, everyone lost but West Virginia, and they almost lost their first game. They are speculating about a pure 16 team bracket, with 4 games on Tuesday, 4 on Wednesday, and the quarter finals starting on Thursday. That seems about fair. I think the top 4 play on Tuesday. That seems to be the most fair way to do things. I mean, if you play well enough to earn a top 4 seed in the ridiculous Big East, than I think you deserve a day off in the tournament. And if you lose, you deserve the shame an extra day.

Let's get back to Brian Bennett. Would he like to see Cincinnati in a non-conference rivalry game every year?

Glad you asked. The answer is yes. He, like every Bearcat fan and none of the spineless Buckeye fans, would love to see Cincinnati and Ohio State play every season. Ohio State would much rather play Akron and Toledo and other MAC schools before playing the other major conference team from Ohio. That's because Ohio State is scared of losing Ohio. The teams play again in 2014. I'm predicting a Cincinnati victory on this date.

Is there a New Jersey blog Big East ranking for next season? I have a need to see one. It's my crack.

Great question, and yes there is. It's right here. Thank you New Jersey Hoops Haven for putting out such a list today. I'll run down the top 5 for you if you are too lazy to click. Villanova, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virgnia, Georgetown. That's rather vanilla. They pick Cincinnati 12. Shockingly, they have DePaul in last place.

Speaking of Big East talk, is it true that you are participating in something for the East Coast Bias in the next couple of weeks? 

Yes. I'll tell you when things get posted over there and you can check them out. It's a roundtable deal, with things from Orange 44, Voodoo 5, Eye of a Panther, The Nova Blog, Pitt Blather, and lots of other email address I don't recognize. Pretty much every blog listed is involved. It should be awesome.

NBE Basketball says in their latest Big East roundup that UC might be better with this roster. Thoughts?

I agree. The person who wrote that said that it was clear that the players hated each other last season, and it would be addition by subtraction. Believe me, there are a ton of people who think that UC was better off losing one player in particular this season. I think it should help UC. I've written about it this issue myself. What, with rumors that Bishop and Lance hated each other, Bishop hating Mick (getting kicked off the team didn't help that not be true), and Vaughn and Lance playing horribly along side each other all season. I think UC has a nucleus of players that genuinely like each other. At least they follow each other on twitter.

After that seemingly awkward answer, how does Brian Bennett rank the Big East running backs?

I should link Brian at least once, so there that is. He, like everyone else with eyes, ranks Pittsburgh first, and West Virginia second. He has UC 4th, behind UConn. That seems about fair. He looks for big things from Isaiah Pead, and so do I. I'm really pumped about my boy Darrin Williams getting touches this year. I think he's going to be a home run threat on kick returns, and getting handoffs and screens.

Can we get one last reminder about UC baseball?

This weekend, UC plays host to Georgetown. The Bearcats need to win to guarantee they make the Big East tournament. Georgetown kinda sucks, 5 Big East wins, but spoilers are everywhere. Show up and root the Bearcats onward and upward.

Cincinnati 92 Providence 88

(Enquirer)

Cashmere Wright's career high 24 propelled the Bearcats to their second highest point total of the season, and win 14 (14-7 5-4), as the Cats outgunned the Providence Friars (12-9 4-5) 92-88. Cash's 24 were the 6th time a Bearcat scored 20 this season. It was also a UC season high, and UC high in any game against Providence. The Friars are known for not playing the best defense, and the Bearcats sure took advantage of that Saturday night, shooting 32-58 for a whooping 57%. The Bearcats also kept up the good 3 point shooting by going 8-18. Free throwing shooting was terrible, and it almost let the Friars back in the game. The Cats were 20-41. Awful. Rashad Bishop had 16-6 for Cincinnati, Lance Stephenson (9 rebounds) and Deonta Vaughn 12, and Darnell Wilks surprised with 10. Wright also had 4 boards, 5 assists and 3 steals. For PC, Sharaud Curry matched a career high with 27. Jamine Peterson had 19, Marshon Brooks 12, and Vincent Council put up 10-5-6 assists. The Bearcats kept serve at home, which is important as they head back on the road where they have struggled. Let's take a look at how the game played out.

Action started with the teams putting shots on each other's faces. Providence made 3 triples to start the game, before Cashmere Wright scored UC's first 7. Peterson would make another 3, and PC lead 16-12 4 minutes in. Providence would nail their first 6 from deep in a lights out start. Rashad Bishop scored 8 of his points early in keeping the Cats close. Lance Stephenson did not start, and didn't enter until the 14 minute mark. He must be having problems with the ankle. Providence would build a 6 point lead as we hit the under 12 timeout, 24-18. Darnell Wilks entered the game and had a scoring explosion. Well as far as Darnell Wilks goes. Wilks scored off a hook, a left hand lay up, and a monster dunk back (pictured here). Wilks had 4 points the last 5 games, and scored 6 in 1:21. Stephenson added some points around a Peterson jumper, and the Cats had tied the game. Something unseen this season occurred after Marshon Brooks made a Friars 3. Lance Stephenson hit a 3 pointer for Cincinnati. This is the first time IN HIS CAREER Lance has made 3s in back to back games. No joke. The teams would trade the lead for the rest of the half with fast paced action. Wright would hit Bishop to give UC it's first lead, and it's second after Cash hit a 3 of his own. PC answered with a Duke Mondy 3. Curry, Vaughn, Peterson, Stephenson and Bilal Dixon, Vaughn again, and Wright all scored as the half came to a close at 44 all. Providence shot 50% in everything the half. 17-34 8-16 2-4. Peterson lead the way with 14-3-2 blocks, Curry had 9, and Coucil had 4 boards, 3 assists. UC shot 17-33 5-11 5-8, lead by Wright's 13-3 assists-3 steals. Bishop had 10, Lance 7, and Wilks 6. One player who did nothing was Yancy Gates. There were lots of people who though Yancy would have a big day against PC, but he was invisible for the most part.

Cincinnati started the second half by jumping out to a 5 point lead. Ibrahima Thomas scored 2 of his 4, and Rashad Bishop hit from 3. Peterson hit a 3, and Vaughn followed with his only 3 for UC. The Friars scratched even with Peterson's last basket for the game, and 2 free throws by Curry. The Friars took a 3 point lead at 60-57 after a Council 3 and a steal and breakaway dunk on Darnell Wilks' head by Marshon Brooks. That would seem to fire the Bearcats up. Yancy Gates scored his first field goal on a putback dunk, and followed with a steal as Providence was bringing the ball up the court. PC would foul, and the score would be 60-59 at 11:57. After the break, Cash got to the rim, scored, and got fouled. He would miss the free throw, but Lance Stephenson would get the rebound and get fouled. He would miss both though. On the next trip for UC, Cash would miss a rare field goal attempt, but Bishop cleaned it up for a 3 point UC lead. Cash picked a Providence pocket and raced down the court for a dunk. Stephenson followed that with a lay up, and UC was on a 10-0 run. Peterson would miss 2 free throws, PC was 9-18 at the stripe all night, and Cash would hit a dagger 3 for a 10 point UC lead. The lead stayed 10 down to the 3:58 mark, with UC ahead 75-65. Providence would press, and UC took advantage. The Cats broke pressure for a Gates dunk off a nice pass from Wright, a Gates alley oop from near half court by Lance, and 2 Stephenson free throws for a 81-67 lead. The Cats would let the lead slip due to poor free throw shooting. Deonta Vaughn hadn't missed a free throw in Big East play, and the percentages caught up to him. Vaughn was 5-10 on the day. Cash was great from the field, but only 3-7 at the stripe. My best friend Dion Dixon entered the game with 2 minutes left and UC up 12, and continued the funk he was in during the Louisville game. Dixon committed a turnover, after Vaughn made 2 free throws, would miss 2 fts, and Curry hit a PC 3. Dixon would then throw away the inbound pass up 8, but PC couldn't capitalize. Vaughn hit 1 free throw. The Friars missed a shot on their next possession, and fouled Wright, who made both. Was an 88-77 lead with 39.7 left safe? No. Curry made a lay up, Jaquon Parker (who only played 9 minutes, had 6 points 3 rebounds) made both free throws. On the other end, PC got a traditional 3 point play by Brooks. Vaughn made 1 of 2, and Curry drilled a 3. Cash missed both foul shots, and Curry made another 3 to cut the lead to 3 with 6.6 left. Parker would add to the drama by missing his first free throw. But Parker iced the game with his second, and provided us with the final. 

All in all, it was a nice win. The defense seems to be going to hell, which is a very bad sign with offensive minded Notre Dame on Thursday. It was nice to win, despite nothing from Gates and Toyloy. Gates had 7-7, and Toyloy had 3 turnovers to 1 point, 1 rebound. The free throw shooting was horrendous. Bishop was 1-4, Wright 3-7, Vaughn 5-10, Stephenson 3-6, and Dixon 0-2. The offensive rebounding was gone as well, only 8. The Bearcats couldn't afford to lose this game, and winning it was nice. Let's hope Mick has the boys ready to make a run, because the going is getting tough from now on. 

Bearcats too much for Friars

(Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)

The Cincinnati Bearcats improved to 14-7, 5-4 in the Big East, with a 92-88 win over the Providence Friars. Providence is now 12-9, and 4-5 in conference. The Bearcats were powered by a career day from Cashmere Wright. Cash went for 24-4-5 assists-3 steals in his first start since December 16. Darnell Wilks tossed in 10 points, including the monster dunk back that's pictured. For the Friars, Sharaud Curry matched his career high with 27. Jamine Peterson had 19. 

The game was like the opposite of Louisville game. The Bearcats fell behind 9-3 and Providence couldn't miss. The Friars made their first 6 3s, and had a 26-19 lead halfway through the 1st half. Wright and Wilks would power the UC offense, and the Cats were able to match the Friars 44 at the half. The Bearcats went on a 13-0 run down 60-57 in one of their best 5 minutes of the season. The lead would be 9 with 25 seconds left, but due to missed free throws by Deonta Vaughn and Wright, Curry would hit 2 shots from deep to make it a 3 point game. Jaquan Parker made a free throw with 5 second left to seal it. 

This was a nice win for UC, as they have to win against similar teams to them if they want to make the NCAA tournament. More on Monday. 

Know Your Opponent: Providence Friars edition

The Bearcats look to bounce back after a tough loss at Louisville, and nearly a week off, as they host the Providence Friars Saturday night at 8 on ESPNU. The Friars are coming off a huge win over Connecticut Wednesday. The Friars and Bearcats are both 4-4 in the Big East. This is a pivotal game as a result. The first round bye is huge in the Big East tournament, and there is some other tournament in March. How do the 13-7 Bearcats and 12-8 Friars stack up? What a great question. See the answer after the jump.
Last thing. If you want to read about Providence until your eyes bleed, check out our good friends FriarBlog and  Friars Basketball. I'm pretty sure there's nothing to do in Rhode Island besides talk about Providence and watch Family Guy.

Big East Breakdown

The Big East season is in full swing. Everyone has played 8 games, except Louisville, West Virginia and UConn who played 7, and Georgetown who played 9. I figure we look at who everyone beat, who beat them, who they have for the next 5 conference games, their chances on winning the regular season, conference tournament and making the NCAA. It'll be easier than it sounds.

1. Villanova Wildcats 8-0. 19-1
Key Players: Scottie Reynolds 18.7 pts 3.3 assts. Corey Fisher 13.3 pts 4.3 asst. Antonio Pena 10.8 pts 7.6 rbs
Who They Beat: Marquette (2), Louisville, DePaul, Georgetown, Rutgers, St John's, Notre Dame
Who Beat Them: No one
Who's Next: Seton Hall, @Georgetown, @West Virginia, Providence, UConn
Regular Season Champ %: 74. They travel to Pitt and Syracuse as well as the games above. They have tough sledding ahead.
B.E Tournament Champ%: 78.
NCAA %: 100. Only an injury or a severe fade keeps the Wildcats out

2. Syracuse Orange 7-1. 20-1
Key Players: Wesley Johnson 17.1 pts 9 rbs. Andy Rautins 10.6 pts 5.2 assts Kris Joseph 10.2 pts 5.1 rbs

Who They Beat: Seton Hall, South Florida, Rutgers, West Virginia, Marquette, Notre Dame, Georgetown

Who Beat Them: Pittsburgh

Who's Next: @DePaul, Providence, @Cincinnati, UConn, Louisville

Regular Season Champ %: 84. I really like this Orange team. They play together great, and they lock down defensively. I think Wes Johnson is the best player in the Big East. 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 83. I think right now they are the favorites to do what Louisville did last year. However, I don't think it will happen

NCAA %: 100. Same reason as above

3. Pittsburgh Panthers 6-2. 16-4

Key Players: Ashton Gibbs 17.1 pts 2.9 rbs. Brad Wanamaker 12.8 pts 6.6 rbs 4.3 assts Gilbert Brown 9.7 pts 3.6 rbs

Who They Beat: DePaul, Syracuse, Cincinnati, UConn, Louisville, St John's

Who Beat Them: Georgetown, Seton Hall

Who's Next: @South Florida, @WVU, Seton Hall, WVU, @Marquette

Regular Season Champ %: 72. Pitt might have played their best basketball of the season, but there is a chance they could get 8 more wins in conference. They have proved that were better than everyone thought coming into the season.

B.E Tournament Champ%: 62. I don't think this is the type of team that could make a run in MSG

NCAA %: 96. They have some good wins, and they should make it

4. West Virginia Mountaineers 5-2. 16-3

Key Players: Da'Sean Butler 15.9 pts 6.4 rbs 3.5 assts. Kevin Jones 14.1 pts 7.8 rbs. Devin Ebanks 11.5 pts 8 rbs

Who They Beat: Seton Hall, Marquette, Rutgers, South Florida, DePaul

Who Beat Them: Notre Dame, Syracuse

Who's Next: Louisville, Pittsburgh, @St Johns, Villanova, @Pittsburgh

Regular Season Champ %: 66. The schedule toughens up on Hugg's boys. The lack of a point guard has hurt them in all their losses, and I think it's going to hurt their chances of winning the regular season.

B.E Tournament Champ%: 70. This is the type of team that could be a nightmare in the BET

NCAA %: 95. They have a nice resume, and shouldn't drop that many BE games to make it an issue. How long they last in the tournament is another story.

5. Georgetown Hoyas 6-3. 15-4

Key Players: Andy Freeman 16 pts 3.9 rbs. Greg Monroe 14.8 pts 10.1 rbs. Chris Wright 14.6 pts 4.2 assts

Who They Beat: St John's, DePaul, UConn, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, Rutgers 

Who Beat Them: Marquette, Villanova, Syracuse

Who's Next: South Florida, Villanova, @Providence, @Rutgers, Syracuse

Regular Season Champ %: 69. There's a chance they could run the table. They play @Louisville, and @WVU though. There's also a chance they could not score, and they could lose to anyone. 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 60. I don't like this squad to pull off a run like that.

NCAA %: 93. They beat Temple and Butler non conference, and they'll finish above .500 in the BE, which should be enough. 

6. Louisville Cardinals 4-3. 13-7

Key Players: Samardo Samuels 15.9 pts 7.6 rbs. Edgar Sosa 13.9 pts 3.8 assts. Preston Knowles 8.8 pts 3.8 rbs

Who They Beat: South Florida, Providence, St John's, Cincinnati

Who Beat Them: Villanova, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall

Who's Next: @WVU, UConn, Rutgers, @St John's, @Syracuse

Regular Season Champ %: 9. The odds fall off the charts after Georgetown. The middle of the conference is good, do not get me wrong. But they can't afford to slip up the rest of the way to catch Nova and Syracuse. 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 20. Louisville jumped out to big leads on Nova and Pitt, and with their pressure they could pull off the 4 day sweep. However, they lost to Nova and Pitt, so they could lose day 1. 

NCAA %: 64. Louisville doesn't really have much in the resume, but I think they are a little better than the rest of the Big East, and will find a way to make it in the Big Dance.

7. Cincinnati Bearcats 4-4. 13-7

Key Players: We know who they are, we can skip this part

Who They Beat: UConn, Rutgers, Notre Dame, South Florida

Who Beat Them: Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, St John's, Louisville

Who's Next: Providence, @Notre Dame, Syracuse, @UConn, @South Florida

Regular Season Champ %: 5. 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 11. I don't think there is much chance UC could run the gauntlet of the BET. I think that they need to win some games in it though. They need the first round bye. 

NCAA %: 60. The wins over Maryland and Vandy look good, so do wins over fellow bubblers ND and UConn. The Bearcats have to get some wins now.

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 4-4. 15-6

Key Players: Luke Harangody 24.5 pts 9.9 rbs. Tim Abromaitis 16.7 pts 4.5 rbs. Ben Hansbrough 11.5 pts 5 assts

Who They Beat: Providence, South Florida, West Virginia, DePaul

Who Beat Them: UConn, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Villanova

Who's Next: @Rutgers, Cincinnati, South Florida, @Seton Hall, St John's

Regular Season Champ %: 5. It could be higher, but they play no defense

B.E Tournament Champ%: 15. It's not out of the realm of possibility this team shoots lights out for 4 days. 

NCAA %: 61. ND doesn't have much in their resume, but they can get over 20 wins and that might be enough. The next 5 games are crucial. If they lose any, their chances go down a lot. 

7. Providence Friars 4-4. 12-8

Key Players: Jamine Peterson 17.9 pts 10.3 rbs. Sharaud Curry 15 pts 3.8 assts. Marshon Brooks 15 pts 4.6 rbs

Who They Beat: St John's, Rutgers, DePaul, UConn

Who Beat Them: Notre Dame, Louisville, Marquette, South Florida

Who's Next: @Cincinnati, @Syracuse, Marquette, Georgetown, @Villanova

Regular Season Champ %: 5. They also don't play much defense, and have a brutal stretch as you can see.

B.E Tournament Champ%: 10

NCAA %: 20. I just don't see it for the Friars. They lost to Iona, which is their only bad loss, and also lost to every other good team they've played. 

10. Connecticut Huskies 3-4. 13-7

Key Players: Jerome Dyson 19.1 pts 4.9 assts 4.7 rbs. Stanley Robinson 16.8 pts 7.4 rbs. Kemba Walker 13.4 pts 6.2 assts 4.1 rbs

Who They Beat: Notre Dame, Seton Hall, St John's 

Who Beat Them: Cincinnati, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Providence 

Who's Next: @Louisville, DePaul, @Syracuse, Cincinnati, @Villanova

Regular Season Champ %: 8. Just because of the talent level. I doubt they win any of the road games though. Maybe Louisville, since they match up well with them it seems. But without Calhoun, who knows? 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 10. Talent level respect, even though they would have to win 5 games in 5 days at this point. 

NCAA %: 60. I don't know what to make of UConn. They are wildly inconsistent. The win over Texas could help, but that out be an outlier. The beat down against Providence was surprising. 

11. South Florida Bulls 3-5. 13-7

Key Players: Dominique Jones 21.4 pts 6 rbs 4.3 assts. Jarrid Famous 11.7 pts 8.1 rbs. Chris Howard 9.7 pts 3.9 rbs

Who They Beat: Rutgers, Providence, Seton Hall

Who Beat Them: Louisville, Notre Dame, Syracuse, West Virginia, Cincinnati

Who's Next: Pittsburgh, @Georgetown, @Notre Dame, @Marquette, Cincinnati

Regular Season Champ %: 3. What a ridiculous schedule

B.E Tournament Champ%: 6. No way a team runs all 5 games, but Dom. Jones gives them a fighters chance every night.

NCAA %: 11. Stranger things have happened. They have won 2 in a row, and get Augustus Gilchrist back soon

11. Seton Hall Pirates 3-5. 12-7

Key Players: Jeremy Hazell 22.5 pts 3.6 rbs. Herb Pope 12.3 pts 11.4 rbs. Jeff Robinson 9.7 pts 5.5 rbs

Who They Beat: Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh

Who Beat Them: West Virginia, Syracuse, UConn, Georgetown, South Florida

Who's Next: @Villanova, @Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, DePaul, @St John's

Regular Season Champ %: 4. 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 6. Maybe Hazell shoots out of his mind for a week. 

NCAA %: 35. The Pirates looked like they were making a move, and then lost to South Florida. They don't have the most brutal schedule, but they play 6 road games and I don't trust them.

11. Marquette Golden Eagles 3-5. 12-8

Key Players: Lazar Hayward 18.1 pts 7.7 rbs. Jimmy Butler 14.8 pts 6.6 rbs. Darius Johnson-Odom 12.4 pts 2.4 assts

Who They Beat: Georgetown, Providence, Rutgers

Who Beat Them: West Virginia, Villanova (2), DePaul, Syarcuse

Who's Next: @UConn, DePaul, @Providence, South Florida, Pittsburgh

Regular Season Champ %: 5. Their schedule eases up some, and I think the Eagles can make a run to the middle of the pack. 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 6. They have a nice team, but a propensity for losing close games. I don't think there's enough there to go on that big a run.

NCAA %: 29. They have 2 good wins against Xavier and Georgetown, but not much else. Their  close game losses are really hurting their portfolio. 

14. St John's Red Storm 2-6. 12-8

Key Players: DJ Kennedy 15 pts 6.4 rbs 3.2 assts. Dwight Hardy 11.9 pts 2.3 rbs. Paris Horne 8.3 pts 2.3 rbs

Who They Beat: Cincinnati, DePaul

Who Beat Them: Georgetown, Providence, Louisville, UConn, Villanova, Pittsburgh

Who's Next: @Rutgers, WVU, Louisville, @Notre Dame, Seton Hall

Regular Season Champ %: 3. 

B.E Tournament Champ%: 3. They would have to go on a crazy run to get a bye. Maybe they could win a game though.

NCAA %: 15. 

15. DePaul Blue Demons 1-7. 8-12

Key Players: Will Walker 16.1 pts 3.2 rbs. Mack Koswahl 14 pts 10.5 rbs Mike Stoval 7.1 pts 2.7 rbs

Who They Beat: Marquette

Who Beat Them: Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Villanova, Providence, St John's, Notre Dame, West Virginia

Who's Next: Syracuse, @Marquette, @UConn, @Seton Hall, Rutgers

Regular Season Champ %: 2. At least they won a conference game

B.E Tournament Champ%: 2. They were 1/5 of the way there last year. 

NCAA %: 2. 

16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 0-8. 9-11

Key Players: Mike Rosario 15.3 pts 4.2 rbs. Jonathan Mitchell 10.1 pts 5.1 rbs. Hamady Ndiaye 9.1 pts 6.5 rbs. 

Who They Beat: No one

Who Beat Them: Cincinnati, West Virginia, Providence, Syracuse, South Florida, Villanova, Georgetown, Marquette

Who's Next: Notre Dame, St John's, @Louisville, Georgetown, @DePaul

Regular Season Champ %: 1

B.E Tournament Champ%: 1. The 16 seed won a game last year

NCAA %: 1. Everyone has a chance, no matter how small.