Over the first three weeks of the season, BE Hoops has been able to project Big East games with just over 80% accuracy. Here’s a look at the future of the season, and what to expect from games this week.

First, some Yearly Projections Stats

Week One – 10-3
Week Two – 11-2
Week Three – 12-3

MONDAY

We get started with perhaps the best game of the week as Villanova visits Connecticut. I see a road victory here for the Wildcats in a great game between two of the nation’s top teams.

You could also make a case for Monday night’s game being the best of the week as well. Syracuse visits Pittsburgh in another great game between two of the top teams in the country. In another close game, Pitt should hold serve at home and knock the Orange from the ranks of the unbeatens.

TUESDAY

Georgetown will go on the road to New Jersey and win against the Pirates.

Marquette will also win at home against the Blue Demons of DePaul.

WEDNESDAY

Louisville gets in done at home in a very close game against St. John’s. The Red Storm are right in the middle of an extremely tough stretch and have been playing very well, but I don’t see them winning at Freedom Hall.

Notre Dame will get back on track against the Bearcats at home.

THURSDAY

Rutgers will get a victory at home against the USF Bulls.

Categories: Commentary
Comments Off

A 6-2 week of predictions leaves me no margin for error on my weekend picks, so I’ll have to be careful with these selections.

SATURDAY

Louisville will rebound from the thumping they took during the week to defeat Marquette.

Georgetown will finally get back on track as they squeak by the Scarlet Knights on the road. Part of me wants to pick the upset here, and I see a close game in this one. But I still lean towards the Hoyas.

Here’s my upset special for the weekend. I’ll take the Bearcats over the Orange in the dome. I think Syracuse is ripe for a loss, and Cincinnati provides a squad that is definitely capable of beating the top teams.

UConn will cruise over DePaul in another easy game this week for the Huskies.

Pitt will crush Seton Hall at home.

SUNDAY

St. John’s will get some revenge against the Irish and win this one at home.

USF will get a victory at home against the Friars.

Have a great holiday weekend Big East Nation!

Categories: Commentary
Comments Off

I know it’s early but here are the early season award leaders in the Big East.

BIGGEST PLEASANT SURPRISE – UConn. The Huskies are young and unpredictable but they have stepped up in big games. Wins over Michigan State, Kentucky, and Texas away from home have made UConn the biggest pleasant surprise this season so far.

BIGGEST UNPLEASANT SURPRISE – Georgetown. It looked like the Hoyas were set to be a top 10 team with the big win at Missouri, but then the league season started and GTown showed some serious weaknesses. Four early losses have put the Hoyas into a desperation mode for the remainder of the conference schedule.

MOST EXCITING PLAYER – Tie between Shabazz Napier (Uconn) and Ben Hansbrough (ND). Napier plays out of control most of the time but you never know what he’s about to do. With his quick hands and feet sometimes Shabazz makes plays that are more than questionable. But he always amazes viewers with the hustle he displays. Hansbrough just simply puts it all out there on every play. He is hard nosed and sometimes uses poor judgement on his shot selection but in the end he is a fun player to watch.

FINAL FOUR POSSIBLES – Syracuse and Villanova seem to be the best bets. Both are solid teams with coaches who have been there. I’d like to put Pitt in this category but they always seem to find a way out of the NCAA tourney early. Pitt has the talent to make the Final Four but their style of play makes us think they will exit the tourney before that again this year.

WORST TV ANNOOUNCER – John Saunders (ESPN). Even though Dickie V should have this award locked up, Saunders finds a way to edge him out. Dickie V is the only announcer who has a button on everyone’s remote (MUTE). He should realize that a color man doesn’t have to talk constantly about anything during a two hour basketball telecast. Just take a breath once in a while, Dick. Saunders watched a long shot during the Nova- Louisville game be called a three, and then remarked that the officials were reviewing to see if it was ‘a one or two’. Maybe he thought it was an extra point attempt in a football game! He then went into his usual rant about there not being enough black college football coaches. After railing on ND for letting Ty Willingham go for months, I think Saunders is still acting as Ty’s agent. Let it go Saunders!!!!! Willingham ruined two programs (Notre Dame and Washington) and if Saunders had his way he should be hired to destroy some more.

Categories: Commentary
Comments Off

10-3 the first week + 11-2 the second week means that our 21-5 record has give us just over 80% accuracy on predicting Big East games for the year. We’re pleased about the success, and hopefully, we can keep on giving you the insight on what to look for as the season rolls on.

MONDAY

Notre Dame has been playing so well right now, yet something is screaming upset about this game. Still, I’ll stick with the Irish in a real close one. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Golden Eagles can pull this one off.

TUESDAY

UConn will roll at home against Rutgers.

WEDNESDAY

Cincinnati will get back on track towards the Top 25 with a win over USF at home.

St. John’s will play well once again, but I think Syracuse should be able to handle them at MSG.

Pitt will take care of business on the road against a struggling Georgetown team.

Villanova should prevail in close contest at home against Louisville.

I’ll take DePaul over Seton Hall in a game very few of you will watch. Coincidently, it should be a good game.

THURSDAY

West Virginia over Providence. I thought the Friars would be better this year. Seems I say every season.

Categories: Commentary
Comments Off

A perfect week of picks has me hopeful of the same this weekend. So here goes nothing:

Saturday

Georgetown over West Virginia in a close game at home.

Syracuse should win by at least 10 points even though they are on the road against Seton Hall.

Pitt will also hold off Marquette at home.

Providence will get it done on the road against Rutgers. This should be a great game. If you’re not into the NFL playoffs tonight, this will be an entertaining nail-biter.

Another great game pitts St. John’s against Notre Dame. I think this will be close throughout but the Irish will pull it off at home against the Johnnies.

Sunday

Villanova over Cincinnati at home to break up Cincy’s undefeated season.

My upset of the weekend is going to be USF over Louisville. This is a stretch, but I’ve got a felling about the Bulls tonight.

Categories: Commentary
2 Comments »