(3) Wednesday Big East Games 11/17/21

[Wizard of Westroads]

Not overly confident in our Dawgs tonight, but, believe it or not, Butler might be the more athletic team in this matchup - especially when Taylor, Groce and Wilmoth are on the court together and Golden is sitting. MSU is a slow tempo team this year, Butler does like to get out and run when they can. It'll be interested to see how Coach Jordan uses Aaron Thompson and if Thompson's return can get the turnovers in check.

I like the Dawgs' experience over MSU and BE turncoat Joey Hauser.

[Hall2012]

1-1 clinches the W for the Big East - LET'S GO!

But no, we're not satisfied with that. We want the SWEEP! 8-0!

I'm more confident in the Johnnies today, but keep hearing people say Butler matches up well with MSU so maybe another 2-0 can happen.

If Indiana's anything like they were last year, they're mentally very fragile. They're talented enough to roll over you when things are going well for them, but they fold like a cheap suit as soon as they get punched in the mouth. SJU's style punches you in the mouth and that's why I like the Johnnies here. At some point, St. John's in going to go on a run and recent history tells us Indiana won't be able to absorb that and then throw a counter.

Hall, I hope you're right! I'm cautiously optimistic but this is a big test on the road.....I really think SJU needs to start strong to build some confidence and quiet the crowd a bit.....I trust that Posh will drive their guards crazy and hopefully, that just keeps the whole team off balance all night.....

I'm mostly judging on their 3 losses to Rutgers last year - which I feel all followed the same pattern. The first one had a back and forth first half but RU landed the first punch out of halftime and Indiana never led again. The next 2 had Indiana playing with a lead for most of the first half, but RU made their move late in the half and IU never provided much resistance after.

The Johnnies style tends to result in some extended runs both ways, which I feel bodes well against a team that doesn't appear to recover well from a run against them. Hopefully that's how it plays out!

[Xuperman]

What am I missing here? The biggest obstacle, IMO, is the fact the Johnnies are on the road. Is IU even a tournament team? New Coach aside.....the departures were significant and the replacements seem to be somewhat underwhelming.

Doesn't it come down to keeping TJD in check? I mean, is there any other rostered Hoosier able to put the team on his shoulders at this point? Will Champagnie draw majority of the defensive assignment on Jackson-Davis and vice versa? If so, they probably end up neutralizing each other and the Red Storm wins the day with superior quality of depth. I have a hunch Soriano will come up big tonite.

[kayako]

Specifically, a couple of more wins by Big East teams in this year’s Gavitt Games will have Big Ten head coaches asking themselves: [b]”Who needs this sh*t?”

As a Nova fan, I couldn't care less about Gavitt games. But I think they'll find a way to continue it, because there are already existing rivalries between the 2 conferences that can be used if the appetite does go down.

Creighton/Nebraska
Marquette/Wisconsin
DePaul/Northwestern
Butler/Indiana or Purdue
Seton Hall/Rutgers

[adoraz]

While I’m thoroughly enjoying the Big East’s domination and thrashing of favored Big Ten teams – and the attendant public humiliation of their big-name, highly-paid head coaches - I’m also wondering about their appetites for similar beat-downs by Big East teams (in the national spotlight) in the future.

Specifically, a couple of more wins by Big East teams in this year’s Gavitt Games will have Big Ten head coaches asking themselves: [b]”Who needs this sh*t?”

Ah there it is, the Big East now needs to lose the rest of the way in hopes the B1G will extend this series.

Mid-major mindset. I'd rather blow them out and have it discontinued (didn't expect it to be renewed anyways IMO, though it could as kayako pointed out), than to tie again and possibly have it renewed. This series has benefitted us with exposure, but not so much with results thus far. Our schedules are now more limited anyways, and we have the Big XII challenge as well.

Finally, I doubt they'll look at results from this one year and have that be the deciding factor in whether it's renewed (main factors will be revenue and schedules), but regardless... go for the kill, Big East!

[Hall2012]

While I’m thoroughly enjoying the Big East’s domination and thrashing of favored Big Ten teams – and the attendant public humiliation of their big-name, highly-paid head coaches - I’m also wondering about their appetites for similar beat-downs by Big East teams (in the national spotlight) in the future.

Specifically, a couple of more wins by Big East teams in this year’s Gavitt Games will have Big Ten head coaches asking themselves: [b]”Who needs this sh*t?”

If the Big Ten runs away crying that the Big East is too good for them, I'd consider that a massive W.

[Hall2012]

I am PUMPED for today's games. Feeling good and hoping for 2 more GG wins. We're playing for NCAA bids right now, it is what it is.

I know I now, "teams get bids, not conferences." - but not fully. Conference play is a near zero sum game. Non-conference play goes a long way towards determining how many teams from this league will have an opportunity to get in the dance, and over-performing increases that number. Let's keep rolling!

[stever20]

I am PUMPED for today's games. Feeling good and hoping for 2 more GG wins. We're playing for NCAA bids right now, it is what it is.

I know I now, "teams get bids, not conferences." - but not fully. Conference play is a near zero sum game. Non-conference play goes a long way towards determining how many teams from this league will have an opportunity to get in the dance, and over-performing increases that number. Let's keep rolling!

I think tonight is huge for Butler and St John's specifically. They're teams projected to be in the middle of the conference. Therefore they're going to have 9-11 losses in conference play. Don't want to enter the conference tournament with more than 13 losses so therefore games like these are huge. End of the day really it just matters what teams that finish in the middle of the conference what they've done OOC.

I'd say especially for Butler. This is their one great OOC shot at home. They have the Maui Invitational next week starting off with Houston that just crushed UVA by 20. Then Texas A&M/Wisconsin. And then one of Oregon, Saint Mary's, or Notre Dame(hopefully not Chaminade). And then after that @ Oklahoma and neutral vs Purdue. 6 really tough games. Have to win at least 2-3 of those.

[ecasadoSBU]

U-C-O-N-N UCONN UCONN!!!!!!!

[stever20]

the graphic showing the all time Gavitt Games tied 22-22 right now surprised me just a smidge. Thought the Big Ten was up a little bit even with these 4-0 so far this year.