Pittsburgh's Sam Young was last year's tournament MVP.
(By Bill Kostroun -- Associated Press)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT
Madison Square Garden, New York
Favorite: Pittsburgh has dominated the Big East tournament this decade, which gives the Panthers the edge in a field when top-seeded Louisville and Connecticut could each claim supremacy. Pittsburgh has reached the final in seven of the last eight Big East tournaments, and the Panthers won the championship last season. Sam Young could be the first player to win consecutive MVPs since Georgetown's Patrick Ewing in 1984 and 1985.
Dark Horse: Notre Dame entered the season with high expectations, but a difficult Big East schedule hurt the team. The Fighting Irish can score with any team in the Big East. Their NCAA tournament aspirations depend on what happens in New York, where the Irish can build a following if they can reach the third day.
Needs a Win: In his first season at Providence, Coach Keno Davis has the Friars on the verge of the NCAA tournament. The Friars finished 10-8 in the Big East's regular season, including a win over Pittsburgh. That might not be enough, though, which is why a win or two in New York will help their case.
On the Hot Seat: Jerry Wainwright has just one winning season in his four seasons since returning to his native Chicago to coach DePaul. The Blue Demons are winless in the Big East, and their margin of defeat has been in single digits just six times in 18 games. DePaul might be a tough job in the 16-team Big East, but Chicago is a fertile recruiting area.
Player to Watch: Although the Big East is loaded with stars, watch U-Conn. guard A.J. Price as his eventful career winds down. Price suffered a life-threatening brain hemorrhage, a season-ending suspension and a career-altering knee injury during five years with the Huskies. He must now replace fellow guard Jerome Dyson to complete a successful final chapter of his college career.
Did you know?: This is the first season since the Big East expansion that all 16 teams will play in the conference tournament. The top four teams receive two byes.
Big East Schedule
Today's First Round
Cincinnati vs. DePaul, Noon
Georgetown vs. St. John's, 2:30
Notre Dame vs. Rutgers, 7
