BIG EAST STOCK REPORT: WEEK ONE

Big East Stock Report: Week One
By Anthony Jaskulski


1. Pittsburgh 14-0, 2-0, Stock: UP

National ranking: 1
Last game: W 74-60, at Georgetown
Next game: Jan. 11 vs. St. Johns

Strong Point: The Panthers are in the top-five in the conference in every rebounding category, including a league-best, +10.9 margin on the glass.

Area of Improvement: When Center DeJuan Blair is on the bench, or in foul trouble, Pitt needs somebody to step up in the paint. Center Gary McGhee has proven not to be that guy thus far.

Overall Analysis: There is not much more Pitt can do to improve as a team right now. They have tackled every challenge that has been thrown their way, and Saturday’s win at Georgetown has proved to the rest of the conference that the Panthers will remain the team to beat until somebody, if anybody can knock them off.

2. Syracuse 14-1, 2-0 Stock: UP

National ranking: 9
Last game: W 59-54 at South Florida
Next game: Jan. 7, vs. DePaul

Strong Point: Averaging a Big East best 82.6 points per game, the Orange and their don’t quit mentality, has pushed them to out of conference wins over Kansas, Florida and a shocker at Memphis.

Area of Improvement: The Orange surrenders 16 turnovers a game, with a -1.79 turnover margin, second to last in the Big East.

Overall Analysis: With Eric Devendorf back in the lineup after serving a suspension, and guard Jonny Flynn showing veteran-esque leadership in just his sophomore year, Syracuse looks well ahead of schedule, and is as good as any to challenge for the regular season crown right now. And aside from a miracle buzzer-beating half court three from Cleveland State, the Orange would be joining Pitt as the only other undefeated team in the league.

3. Connecticut 12-1, 1-1 Stock: Rising

National ranking: 5
Last game: W 80-49 vs. Rutgers
Next game: Jan. 6 at West Virginia

Strong Point: Center Hasheem Thabeet is averaging a team-best 14 points and 10 rebounds per game, including his near four blocks per game this year.

Area of Improvement: The Huskies backcourt showed its heavy dependency on Thabeet and forward Jeff Adrien in Monday’s loss vs. Georgetown. Despite guard A.J. Price’s 16 point performance, the trio combined for just 9 of 26 from the field.

Overall Analysis: Although the loss to Georgetown looked painful, Connecticut is still considered an elite team this week with a fearsome duo in the frontcourt back to basics, bullying to a 31-point beleaguering over Rutgers Saturday.

4. Georgetown 10-2, 1-1 Stock: Falling

National ranking: 10
Last game: L 60-74 vs. Pitt
Next game: Jan. 5 at Notre Dame

Strong Point: John Thompson III has one of the best game plans defensively in the country. His zone helped hold Hasheem Thabeet to just four points, while keeping Pitt’s Sam Young to limited touches in the first half Saturday.

Area of Improvement: The Hoyas have to find second-chance opportunities. They are ranked dead last in the league in offensive rebounding, pulling down just four against Pitt.

Overall Analysis: Georgetown is inexperienced and lacks size and strength in the paint. Thanks to potent offense, the Hoyas have been able to run with most opponents this year, but getting deeper into the Big East schedule, they will have to do a better job to keep up with most teams.


5. Marquette 13-2, 2-0 Stock: Rising

National ranking: 15
Last game: W 80-54 vs. Cincinnati
Next game: Jan. 7 at Rutgers

Strong Point: The Golden Eagles unforgiving offense—averaging 81.3 points per game—has helped them off to a quiet 2-0 start to the Big East, with a solid win over Villanova on New Year’s Day and a white-wash over the Bearcats on Sunday.

Area of Improvement: Marquette is barely out-rebounding opponents, due in large part to their margin of victories the last few games. But eventually, rebounding will be a factor against teams like Pitt, Connecticut and Notre Dame. Will Lazar Hayward and Chris Otule provide that spark?

Overall Analysis: Marquette is a tough team to label. Their high percentage shooting is top of the line, and guards Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews are playing lights out. The question is, will these strong offensive numbers continue?

6. West Virginia 11-2, 1-0 Stock: Rising

National ranking: 22
Last game: W 92-66 at Seton Hall
Next game: Jan. 6 vs. Connecticut

Strong point: Since their close call at Duquesne Dec. 13th, the Mountaineers have dismantled their last four opponents by 20+ scoring margins, including a 28-point win at then No. 13 Ohio St.

Area of Improvement: Guard play needs to step up for the injury prone Alex Ruoff. The Mountaineers went 1-1, almost losing to Duquesne when Ruoff was out, and 1-3 overall when the guard scores 10 points or lower.

Overall Analysis: The Mountaineers are some of the best in the business when it comes to dirty work. Cleaning up the glass, second-chance shots, steals and tight defense have been the keys for West Virginia’s current dominant span.

7. Notre Dame 10-3, 1-1 Stock: Falling

National ranking: 13
Last game: L 65-71 at St. Johns
Next game: Jan. 5 vs. Georgetown

Strong point: Center Luke Harangody continues to carry the Irish so far this season. The All-American Center has scored 20 or more points in the last six contests.

Area of Improvement: The unprecedented loss to St. Johns Saturday and allowing 48 points in the second half to DePaul on Dec. 31st is not a good sign for a defense that is surrendering 66.7 points per game.

Overall Analysis: The Irish are getting solid numbers from their starters, but the lack of depth and keeping weaker teams in the game with poor defense is really taking a toll on them.

8. Villanova 12-2, 0-1 Stock: Leveled

National ranking: 17
Last game: L 79-72 at Marquette
Next game: Jan. 6 at Seton Hall

Strong point: Dante Cunningham is as good as he’s been in a Wildcat uniform this year. The forward has averaged double-figures in five of his last outings, and has gotten his rebounding average up to near eight per game so far this year.

Area of Improvement: Villanova is second to last in 3 pt. percentage defense. Surrendering 10 to Marquette and letting Texas go 6 of 15 from beyond-the-arc was a major contributor to both of their losses.

Overall Analysis: With the transfer of Casiem Drummond to Marist, the Wildcats are stricken Cunningham and Antonio Pena to carry the load in the frontcourt. If both continue solid play, and the perimeter game led by guard Scottie Reynolds continues to shoot lights out, Villanova can be a deadly team in the league at this time.


9. Providence 10-4, 2-0 Stock: Rising

Last game: W 62-54 vs. DePaul
Next game: Jan. 7 at Cincinnati

Strong point: The Friars and their plentiful amount of experience, has helped them to a nice 2-0 start to the Big East, and fifth-best 78 points per game in the conference.

Area of Improvement: If Providence wants to be taken seriously, they will have to get better production from last years stars Geoff McDermott and Jeff Xavier. McDermott nailed his fourth double-double of the year vs. DePaul Saturday, but has scored in double-figures in just 3 of the Friars last 10 games.

Overall Analysis: Providence has gotten a lot better since that 70-66 home opener embarrassment to Northeastern. If Xavier and McDermott can get back to last years status, and Weynimi Efejuku keeps up his all-star numbers, there is no reason why the Friars won’t keep themselves at the top of the standings.

10. Louisville 9-3, 0-0 Stock: Falling

National ranking: 21
Last game: W 74-71 vs. Kentucky
Next game: Jan. 7 at South Florida

Strong point: Forward/center Samardo Samuels has taken over the graduated David Padgett’s spot with solid numbers. So far this year, the Jamaican freshman has put up 14.7 points and seven rebounds per game.

Area of Improvement: The Cardinals are still undefined at the point guard position. Edgar Sosa and Preston Knowles have both been struggling to run the offense, and their recent numbers can attest.

Overall Analysis: Thanks to a last second three-pointer from Sosa, Louisville avoided a near catastrophic meltdown to Kentucky Sunday night at Freedom Hall. With losses to Minnesota away and UNLV at home, and a disgusting 14-point fallout to Western Kentucky, the Cardinals have had some weak outings in an overall sub-par out of conference schedule. Now the Big East is here; will the turnaround begin now?

11. St. Johns 10-4, 1-1 Stock: Rising

Last game: W 71-65 vs. Notre Dame
Next game: Jan. 11 at Pitt

Strong Point: The Red Storm has gotten some superb numbers from their backcourt of late. Alongside Anthony Mason Jr. and Paris Horne, sophomore DJ Kennedy is averaging a near double-double this year, including 20 points and 10 rebounds against Notre Dame on Saturday.

Area of Improvement: Before the Notre Dame victory, St. Johns was treading a three-game losing streak, surrendering 70 points or more in each game. On top of that, the offense is still only averaging 71 points per game.

Overall Analysis: The upset win over Notre Dame can mean either two things. Either the Red Storm is ready to take the next step and escape the clutches of another under .500 season, or the upset was just a mere one-game exploitation over an unprepared Irish squad.

12. Cincinnati 10-4, 0-1 Stock: Falling

Last game: L 54-80 at Marquette
Next game: Jan. 7 vs. Providence

Strong Point: The Bearcats may have one of the best guards in the conference in Deonta Vaughn. The junior has literally pushed Cincinnati to a 10-win season so far, averaging 15 points, and nearly five assists per game.

Area of Improvement: After Vaughn, there is a rather large drop-off as far as scoring goes. Newcomer forward Yancy Gates has provided some spark with his 10.4 points per game to an otherwise dull offensive unit.

Overall Analysis: Cincinnati has one of the worst scoring offenses in the Big East, and a near 16 turnovers a game—over 20 in the last two outings—has really taken the run and gun out of the Bearcats style.

13. DePaul 8-7, 0-2 Stock: Leveled

Last game: L 54-62 at Providence
Next game: Jan. 7 at Syracuse

Strong Point: Forward Dar Tucker has scored in double-figures in every game this year, including a 24-point outing vs. Notre Dame last Wednesday.

Area of Improvement: This team can’t expect to go far averaging as many points as they surrender in 68 points. Going a dismal .27% from beyond-the-arc isn’t helping.

Overall Analysis: DePaul is the best of the worst in the Big East. For the most part, they can keep games somewhat close, and may have a swift upset up their sleeves when traveling to Syracuse on Wednesday.

14. Rutgers 9-6, 0-2 Stock: Leveled

Last game: L 49-80 at Connecticut
Next game: Jan. 7 vs. Marquette

Strong Point: Rutgers has gotten nice contributions from newcomers Mike Rosario and Gregory Echenique. Guard Rosario is leading the team in scoring—17 PPG—while the big man Echenique is leading in rebounding, with nine per game.

Area of Improvement: The Scarlet Knights are dead last in the conference in assists with just 11 per game, and the offense, averaging just 66 points per game, has suffered from the selfish ball movement.

Overall Analysis: The freshmen are getting plenty of work with the starters right now. If they continue to play big roles right now, Rutgers could be an above .500 team in years to come.

15. Seton Hall 9-5, 0-2 Stock: Falling

Last game: L 66-92 vs. West Virginia
Next game: Jan. 6 vs. Villanova

Strong Point: The Pirates have proven they can score at least. Posting 100 points on Farleigh Dickinson last week marked the fourth time this year they scored 80 or more.

Area of Improvement: Seton Hall’s defense is abysmal. Giving up 71 points per game, the worst in the Big East, the Pirates have given up 90 or more points to their first two conference opponents, surrendering 100 to Syracuse last Tuesday.

Overall Analysis: Things won’t get better for Seton Hall if they continue to give up points at this pace. With Villanova, Notre Dame and Connecticut coming up, the Pirates have to buckle down before more embarrassing losses arrive.

16. South Florida 5-8, 0-1 Stock: Plummeted

Last game: L 54-59 vs. Syracuse
Next game: Jan. 7 vs. Louisville

Strong Point: Guard duo Dominique Jones and Jesus Verdejo have kept the team above water, averaging over 15 points per game each, including a combined 23 points against Syracuse on Saturday.

Area of Improvement: Where do you start? The Bulls are the only team in the conference that is giving up more points than they are scoring. You can attribute that to the teams Big East worst .57% shooting from the free throw line, or the 41% field goal percentage.

Overall Analysis: Things are bad with the Bulls, as they are continuously trying to run new offenses that are just not working. But at least they finally get to go to New York City in March this year.