Big East Quarterfinals 3/8/18

[MUPanther]

Big East qtr.: St. John's vs. 3 Xavier, 12:00, FS1 - Justin Kutcher, Jim Jackson, Lisa Byington

Big East qtr.: Providence vs. Creighton (-4), 2:30, FS1 - Justin Kutcher, Jim Jackson, Lisa Byington

Big East qtr.: Marquette vs. 2 Villanova, 7:00, FS1 - Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery, Lisa Byington

Big East qtr.: Butler(-1) vs. Seton Hall, 9:30, FS1 - Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery, Lisa Byington

[Bill Marsh]

Seton Hall and Creighton are both pretty banged up, so I’m seeing Butler and Providence as the winners in these 2 games. Marquette didn’t look last night like they’ll be a threat to Villanova. As long as Ponds is healthy, St John’s is a threat to upset Xavier. I expect X to pull it out, but this could be another exciting game.

[ArmyVet]

I wouldn't be shocked if one of the top 2 seeds lost today. Always one of the best days of the year when the BET gets into full swing.

[Bill Marsh]

I wouldn't be shocked if one of the top 2 seeds lost today. Always one of the best days of the year when the BET gets into full swing.

Al McGuire always said that he preferred that his team go into the tournament off a loss.

But then Al was never playing for a conference championship. Gotta go for neighborhood bragging rights when you have the chance.

[kayako]

I believe Butler has never won a BET game.

Rooting for St. John's all the way.

[MUBoxer]

Any chance nova got snowed in and has to forfeit?

[xman]

Cmon fellas. Can't lose this one.

[DudeAnon]

[kayako]

The Johnnies just collapsed in the 2nd half. Understandable with the short turnaround, short bench, and the foul trouble.

[MullinMayhem]

Wildly inconsistent team...what an insane season. Some games we looked like the worst team in the conference by far. Others convinced me we would finish top 3 next year. Ponds had that great run while beating Duke, Nova, and Marquette, but the truth is his 3 pt shot is MIA. He will end the season shooting something like 25% from 3. Thankfully, that means NBA teams will tell him he needs another year, because he's definitely not ready yet. Next year will tell us if Mullin can win here or not. Been saying it for a while...if we don't get both a real big with skill and a real assistant coach, we will not be in the NCAA tournament next year even with 100% health. We do have some decent guys coming in as bigs, but honestly none seem to be gamechanging caliber. That would have been Brooks but he left. Keita is a big body but very raw from what I hear. Roberts sounds like a solid 4 yr player but I doubt he has a significant impact next year. Hope I'm pleasantly surprised.

Bottom line, LoVett quitting, Ponds and his lingering injuries, and our 0-11 streak killed us. We scraped our way about halfway out of the hole, but we couldn't get out of it. Overall, this season has to be seen as a pretty big disappointment except of course the 2 big wins. I don't think we will be the sexy pick anymore to finish top 5, because we rarely live up to expectations for varying reasons. Time for the program to actually show us that they can consistently win and stay top 5. Next year there are no more training wheels for Mullin. Sink or swim time.

Congrats to X.