Steph Curry had yet another impressive performance tonight, leading Davidson over a solid West Virginia team. While he didn’t shoot well for the game (9-27 overall), he was dominant down the stretch, leading Davidson to a victory despite being down 4 points with a minute left in the game.

What makes Curry so fun to watch is his ability to get his shot off — creating just enough space to get his quirky jumper off. He does not possess the typical jumper (perfected by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant) where one elevates over a defender before releasing the ball. Instead, his jump shot looks more like something you’d see at a junior high school basketball game.

It may seem odd, but Curry reminds me of Larry Bird, mainly in his ability to get off his shot despite a lack of athletic ability. It’s that ability — that basketball sense — that is just so fun to watch. There are also parallels between Davidson and Indiana State, both of which are mid-major schools and ahve been carried to prominence on the shoulders of their stars. Sure, Larry Bird is a good six inches taller, but it’s that innate basketball sense that makes both of them so fun to watch. With a Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, it never seems surprising that they dominate; of course they’re able to elevate above their defenders and fade away. With Curry (and Bird), it’s something different each time.

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Only 3 weeks until the Big East season begins. Take a  look at our teams and how they are doing thus far. When selection Sunday is approaching we see lists of teams with quality wins and bad losses in determining who gets into the Big Dance and where they are seeded, I thought it might be a good time to take our first look at how each BE team is fairing based on Pre Season expectations.

PITT (9-0)

Quality wins – none , Bad losses – none. Pitt has had good wins against Texas Tech and Washington State and even though they were the only games not played at home, they were on a neutral, Big East neighborhood court. Pretty much as expected and no road games until Dec 21st.

UCONN (8-0)

Quality wins – Miami Fl, Wisconsin, Paradise Jam Tourney. Bad losses – None.UConn had a couple early tests in the Virgin Islands and beat two ranked teams pretty decisively. A close win over Buffalo in the first road game also gave the Huskies a taste of road cookin’. Upcoming game against #4 Gonzaga ona neutral floor should be a real tussle.

SYRACUSE (8-0)

Quality wins – at # 18 Florida, and #23 defending champ Kansas. Bad losses – none. A very rare trip away from the Carrier Dome to defeat Florida is very impressive. One could have seen two losses early for the Cuse but they have been better than expected thus far. On Dec 20th the Orange travels to #15 Memphis for a big test.

VILLANOVA (8-1)

Quality wins – none Bad losses – none. No real tests so far for the Cats. Dec 9th game with #6 Texas on neutral floor is first big test. Jury is still out on Nova.

ST. JOHN’S (7-1)

• Quality wins – none. Bad Losses – none. Losing to BC is not a big surprise. It was on a the Eagles home court and if the Storm could have pulled it off it would have been a quality win. The Johnnies will face #25 Miami on Dec 27th at home before beginning league play.

MARQUETTE (7-1)

Quality wins – #22 Wisconsin at home. Bad losses – Dayton. Even though the Dayton Flyers are undefeated, the Eagles were favored to win that game. Marquette has had an easy schedule so far with no road games and will host #8 Tennessee on Dec 16th and finally leave home to meet NC State on Dec 22nd.

CINCINNATI (6-1)

Quality wins – none. Bad losses – none. The only loss so far was to an 8-1 Florida State team. The Bearcats host crosstown rival #9 Xavier on the 13th and travel to #15 Memphis on Dec 29th before BE play begins. Even though no wins are quality, Cincy would have lost a couple of the games they have won in previous years.

GEORGETOWN (6-1)

Quality wins – none. Bad losses – none. Losing to #12 Tennessee can’t be considered a bad loss and beating Maryland isn’t a quality win but both are important. The Hoyas have their usual creampuff home schedlue and the two tough games were split. They would have loved to beat the Vols but can score a big win over #15 Memphis who they host on Dec 13th.

SETON HALL (7-1)

Quality wins – #20 USC. Bad losses – none. The only loss was to #15 Memphis. Not many figured the Hall would win that one even at home. Beating Va Tech was not a big surprise, but it was the kind of game the Pirates lost in previous years. No big tests from now to the beginning of the BE season.

WEST VIRGINIA (6-2)

Quality wins – Iowa and Ole Miss were good wins especially at Mississippi, but maybe not quality wins. Bad losses – none. Even though Kentucky was a loss and the Wildcats aren’t their usual top 20 team, it is not a bad loss for the ‘Neers. The Mountaineers had a four point lead over Davidson with less than a minute to go and Stephen Curry took over to pull out the victory. Dec 27th at #21 Ohio State will give all a better idea of where WVU stands.

LOUISVILLE (5-1)

Quality wins – none. Bad losses – Western Kentucky. To lose to WKU on the home floor is a very bad loss. The Cards won’t have a challenge OR a road game until the league play starts. The Jan 4th game vs. Kentucky will be interesting because it is such a rivalry game.

NOTRE DAME (6-2)

Quality wins – #7 Texas. Bad Losses – Ohio State. Even though the Buckeyes are undefeated, the feeling here is that it will hurt the Irish comeselection Sunday. A very big win over Texas will help. The loss to UNC was expected. ND should not be challenged again until they start league play.

PROVIDENCE (6-3)

Quality wins – none. Bad losses – Northeastern. Losses to Baylor and St. Mary’s aren’t bad losses and the Friars haven’t beaten anyone. Dec 20th gane at BC should be a barometer of the PC team and what the season will bring.

DEPAUL (4-2)

Quality wins – none. Bad losses – Northwsetern. Losing to anyone by almost 30 when you only score 36 is a bad loss in anyone’s book. Dec 13th game vs. #14 UCLA could get ugly. 

RUTGERS (5-3)

Quality wins – none. Bad losses – St. Bonaventure, Lehigh, Binghamton. Not a good start for the Knights. A trip to #1 North Carolina on Dec 28th will not be pretty. Rutgers may be worse than expected this year.

USF (3-3)

Quality wins – none. Bad losses – UAB, UCF. USF has not started good and they may be in for a very long season. No ranked teams and no road games before the BEgames start shold be comforting but Vandy will be tough even at home.

So far it has played out pretty much to form. Pitt, Syracuse and Nova look a bit stronger than expected and Rutgers, DePaul and USF are weaker. Eight in the top 25 is something that has never happened before.

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