Each day until Selection Sunday, we'll take a look at one team that is on the rise, generating buzz, from the Big East, Big Ten to the Ohio Valley and MAC. This week's team is the top team to date in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Team: Northern Iowa
Conference/Standing: 1st Place in Missouri Valley Conference
Record: 17-6 (11-1)
Key Wins: 59-51 @ Southern Illinois, 69-66 @ Creighton, 61-58 @ Bradley, 59-55 vs. Illinois State
Key Losses: 84-85 vs. Indiana State (F/2OT), 77-84 @ Illinois-Chicago
Tournament Projection: NCAA
The Scoop
It seems every year Northern Iowa is one of a cluster of teams in the exciting Missouri Valley Conference that finds their names on the bracket buster list. This year they may very well be on the very top of that list.
Riding an 11-game winning streak, something that has not been accomplished by a UNI team since the 1963-64 season, the Panthers are extremely hot, taking wins in three of the most difficult gyms in America, including Southern Illinois, Creighton and most recently, a three-point thriller at Peoria, Illinois to take down Bradley, sweeping them in the season series.
Northern Iowa is led by their vicious backcourt tandem of point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe and shooting guard Ali Farokhmanesh. Between the two, Northern Iowa gets 21.7 points per game, with Ahelegbe chiming in with a solid assist/turnover ratio of 1.3, with 3.3 assists a game, and Farokhmanesh as the deep-threat with a 39.6% average from beyond-the-arc, dropping nearly three a game.
While they boast the 5th best winning streak in the country to date, Northern Iowa doesn’t exactly stand out as monsters in the conference stat categories. They are average a modest 67.5 points per game, while giving up 63 points defensively, while pulling down 24 defensive rebounds.
Where they Excel
The Panthers do the small things right, including an MVC best assist/turnover ratio of 1.1, surrendering a league low 11 turnovers per game. They have a rebounding defense that is giving up just 30.5 per game, but perhaps their best and most important stat, is their league-leading field goal percentage of 47%. Their precision shooting from the field helped them in their big upset at Bradley this week, in which they shot an impressive 21 of 40 (52.5%).
Where they Struggle
While Northern Iowa shoots exceptional from the field, they do miss shots, and with a league-worst 7.8 offensive rebounds per game, which has killed their rebounding offense, where they are at just 32 per game out of 736 total rebounds. The Panthers are also surrendering as much three-pointers as they hit, giving up 35.8% to the opposition, while connecting at 36% themselves.
Three point shooting is what killed the Panthers the most, in their only conference loss vs. Indiana St. They shot an abysmal 10 of 24 from beyond-the-arc. The deep ball also saved Northern Iowa in their last shocker at Bradley, in which Johnny Moran drained the game-winning three with five seconds left. They shot 7 of 15 (46.7%) in that game.
He Said it
One thing I really like about this team is their unselfish play, and the fact that we have different guys that have stepped forward at different times for us. We've had all five starters at one time or another get to 20 points in a single game, and all five are averaging near double-figures. It's been different guys on different nights for us.
-Northern Iowa Head Coach Ben Jacobson
Get to know the Panthers:
PG: Kwadzo Ahelegbe……11.1 PPG, 75 assists/56 turnovers, 11 steals and 72.6% free throw shooter.
SG: Ali Farokhmanesh……10.6 PPG, 55 of 139 (39.6%) from three-point range, 39 assists/29 turnovers and 81.3% free throw shooter.
F: Adam Koch…………….11.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 104-133 (78.2%) free throws and leads team with 265 points.
F: Johnny Moran………......9.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 39% from three-point range, 76.7% free throw shooter and 58 assists/38 turnovers.
C: Jordan Eglseder………...9.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 63.9% free throw shooter and 25 blocks.
*Sixth Man is Forward Lucas O’ Rear, who has 5.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 67.6% free throw shooter, and is averaging a bench best 22.5 Minutes per game.*
Catch tomorrow's edition of Heating Up, when I take a look at the Northeast Conference leaders to date, the Robert Morris Colonials.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
BIG EAST STOCK REPORT: WEEK FIVE
Big East Stock Report: Week Five
By Anthony Jaskulski
*All stats provided are conference games only unless otherwise noted.
1. Connecticut 21-1, 10-1, Stock: UP
National Ranking: 1
Last game: W 68-51 at Louisville
Next game: Feb. 7 vs. Michigan
Current Streak: W 10
Strong Point: Connecticut’s front court is averaging over 55% of their 75 points per game average in the paint. Center Hasheem Thabeet is contributing mightily to that stat with 10 double-doubles, including his first career triple-double in last Saturday’s win vs. Providence, in which the big man had 10 blocks, 11 rebounds and 15 points.
Area of Improvement: With just a total of 4.6 three pointers made per game, Connecticut is third to last in the Big East. They have only attempted 123 shots from beyond-the-arc in league play this year, with Villanova and St. John’s as the only two teams that have attempted fewer.
Overall Analysis: The Huskies are down right terrifying right now, and they are proving it in just their first week as the No.1 team in the country. Hitting zero three-pointers against Louisville and still winning by 17 at Freedom Hall, beating a well-equipped Providence team by 29 points in the second half, and averaging a +13.1 scoring margin in conference play to date all adds to an elixir of dominance and near immortality shown from this team.
2. Marquette 19-2, 8-0, Stock: UP
National Ranking: 8
Last game: W 94-82 vs. Georgetown
Next game: Feb. 3 at DePaul
Current Streak: W 11
Strong Point: Jerel McNeal is playing like a man possessed lately. The senior guard ripped apart Notre Dame with 27 points, only to follow up with an assault on Georgetown Saturday with 26 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and five steals. He is currently averaging a Big East third best 23.9 points per game.
Area of Improvement: It hasn’t bitten them yet, but you can count on the rebounding bug to attack soon. With a rebounding margin of just -2.1 per game, including a Big East second-worst 10 offensive rebounds per game, Marquette may have their hands full with the Connecticut’s and Pitt’s later on down the road.
Overall Analysis: Despite their rebounding deficiency’s, it’s about time the Golden Eagles stop catching the weak schedule heat. This team has a back court that can take the best rebounding teams in the country out of the game with their precision shooting, impeccable ball movement and solid creating abilities. A league-best scoring average of 81.8 points per game, and scoring margin of +13.1 per game doesn’t lie.
3. Louisville 17-4, 8-1, Stock: Level
National Ranking: 7
Last game: L 68-51 vs. Connecticut
Next game: Feb. 8 at St. John’s
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: Coach Rick Pitino is showing more and more why is he is the best defensive coach in the country, as he’s boasting the top rated defense in the league, who is giving up an average of just 60 points per game, and holding opponents to just 38.4% per game.
Area of Improvement: For an offense that is much dependent on the deep range threat, Louisville is not helping themselves out by any means, averaging just 31% from three-point range, including a sub-par 5 of 17 effort against Connecticut Monday night.
Overall analysis: Losing their first conference game at Freedom Hall since a 74-65 Jan. 15 loss to Marquette, Louisville went incredibly sour, shooting just 34% from the field, and getting to the free throw line just two times. But don’t expect the Cardinals, who had a nine game winning streak before Monday night, to stay down long, especially when they get to play the second worst scoring offense in the league in St. John’s Saturday.
4. Pittsburgh 20-2, 7-2, Stock: Level
National Ranking: 6
Last game: W 92-72 vs. Robert Morris
Next game: Feb. 7 at DePaul
Current Streak: W2
Strong Point: Rebounding continues to be the key element in Pitt’s success. With a Big East best rebounding offense of just 31.2 per game and an astounding 15 offensive boards a game, the Panthers are still a force to be reckoned with on the glass.
Area of Improvement: The Panthers three-point shooting is getting better, but their perimeter defense is starting to tread water. Pitt is allowing the opposition to 36% in three-point field goal percentage, surrendering 29 in their last three games.
Overall Analysis: Pitt bounced back in blowout fashion after a loss yet again, with Notre Dame on the wrong end of their thrashing this time. The Panthers are on a three-week stretch where they will play a brutal schedule of Saturday and Monday games, but if Levance Fields continues with his Big East best 7.2 assists per game, and the offense continues to connect on the open looks, they can play five days a week and not be effected.
5. Villanova 18-4, 5-3, Stock: Rising
National Ranking: 16
Last game: W 71-50 vs. Cincinnati
Next game: Feb. 4 at Providence
Current Streak: W 3
Strong Point: Dante Cunningham has turned into one of the deadliest big men in the league. While his 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game is something to crave, it was his skills to shut down Pitt big man DeJuan Blair on Wednesday, forcing him into early foul trouble and holding Blair to just seven points and eight rebounds that etched his name as a dominant presence in the paint.
Area of Improvement: Cunningham does not get much help in the paint from his fellow big men. Antionio Pena has combined for just 12 points and five rebounds in the Wildcats last three games, while wing Dwayne Anderson has only reached double figures on the boards and in points in three games.
Overall Analysis: The Wildcats have been on the cusp of knocking off some of the Big East’s best, and with their win against Pitt on Wednesday, can finally put their names next to the top four of this league.
6. Providence 14-7, 6-3, Stock: Level
Last game: L 94-61 at Connecticut
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Villanova
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: Providence continues to light it up in offensive categories, but perhaps that is due mainly to their Big East best 17.44 assists per game. Guard Sharaud Curry has contributed the most with an average of 5.4 this year.
Area of Improvement: The Friars are giving up points in the second half at alarming rates. In their three losses this year, they have been out-scored in the final period 156-103, squandering first half leads in all three games.
Overall Analysis: The past week has taught us a lot about Providence and what they have to do to win—score, and score big. The Friars posted 100 points, out-lasting Syracuse’s 94 point rush, and were pelted by Connecticut when only scoring 61 points. With a defense that is giving up 78 points per game, and a rebounding defense surrendering 37.8, it seems the only way Providence can guarantee a win is scoring at an extremely high pace.
7. Syracuse 17-5, 5-4, Stock: Falling
National Ranking: 20
Last game: L 100-94 at Providence
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. West Virginia
Current Streak: L 3
Strong Point: Despite hitting a sour patch of late, Syracuse is still one of the top offenses in the league averaging 78.2 points per game, and a Big East best field goal percentage of 49.1%.
Area of Improvement: Surrendering a near 75 points per game, the Orange need to figure out how to pace opposing offenses. In their three straight losses, teams have shot over 60% in the final seven minutes of play.
Overall Analysis: It wasn’t long ago when Syracuse was considered one of the elite of the Big East. But now with such a sup-bar effort defensively, and giving up 14.7 turnovers a game, including 21 against Providence, the Orange are falling deeper in the standings, and are in must-win territory against West Virginia Wednesday.
Injury update—Guard Andy Rautins (severe right ankle sprain) is probable for Wednesday’s game vs. West Virginia, while forward Arinze Onuaku (sore knee) is still questionable.
8. West Virginia 15-6, 4-4, Stock: Level
Last game: L 69-63 at Louisville
Next game: Feb. 4 at Syracuse
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: West Virginia knows how to take care of the ball. They have a +2.75 turnover margin, giving up just 12.8 turnovers a game, while forcing 15.5, including a near seven steals per game.
Area of Improvement: Still one of the worst offenses in the league, West Virginia is shooting just 40.8% from the field, including just a 35% performance against Louisville Saturday.
Overall Analysis: Even though it was a loss at Louisville in the books, count it as a moral victory for the Mountaineers, who rallied back from a 20 point halftime deficit, and almost shocked the Freedom Hall crowd. Da’Sean Butler knocked down 23 points in the game, marking the fifth straight time he led all West Virginia scorers. If the rest of the team would just rally behind Butler on the offensive end, the Mountaineers may just be a force this month and on.
9. Cincinnati 13-7, 3-4, Stock: Level
Last game: L 71-50 at Villanova
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Notre Dame
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: The Bearcats have found most of their offense from rebounding, in which they are pulling down 14 offensive boards per game, just one behind the Big East leader in Pitt.
Area of Improvement: Aside from their expertise in the rebounding department, there is not much else coming from the offensive end for a Cincinnati team that is averaging just 64 points per game.
Overall Analysis: Guard Deonta Vaughn continues to carry the Bearcats and two wins over St. John’s and Georgetown has generated some buzz for the team that started out 0-3 in conference play. If their scoring margin, however, of -5.1 doesn’t shift soon, the buzz won’t be around much longer.
10. Georgetown 12-8, 3-6, Stock: Falling
Last game: L 94-82 at Marquette
Next game: Feb. 3 vs. Rutgers
Current Streak: L 5
Strong Point: Guard Chris Wright is starting to feel at home with his new Georgetown team. Wright added 19 points and eight assists, while shooting 56% from the field in the loss at Marquette Saturday.
Area of Improvement: Almost everything needs improving for the Hoyas who have fallen hard in the standings, all the way to 10th place now tied with Notre Dame. One stat that sticks out like a sore thumb for Georgetown is defensive rebounds, in which they corralling just 19.8 per game, while only grabbing 11.8 on the offensive end.
Overall Analysis: Things continue to get worse for the Hoyas, who have lost five straight games now. In their current slump, Georgetown has been held to under 68 points in 4 of the last 5 games, while only shooting 41% from the field in that span.
11. Notre Dame 12-8, 3-6, Stock: Falling
National Ranking: 22
Last game: L 93-80 at Pittsburgh
Next game: Feb. 4 at Cincinnati
Current Streak: L5
Strong Point: Along with shooting a Big East best 80% from the free throw line, they also have a best assist/turnover ratio at 1.54, with 16 assists a game to just 10 turnovers.
Area of Improvement: Notre Dame’s defense continues to struggle, as they have fallen second to last, surrendering 79.1 points per game, including 92 points to a Pitt team that is averaging just 75 points per game.
Overall Analysis: The Irish have lost five straight—all to ranked teams—and even got the painful “N-I-T” chant from Panther fans after losing Saturday in Pittsburgh. While defense is certainly their biggest problem, opposing teams figuring out their offense in the second half is becoming another dilemma. After shooting 11 of 22 from beyond-the-arc in the first half, Pitt held Notre Dame to just 1 of 5 in the final period.
12. St. John’s 12-9, 3-6, Stock: Level
Last game: W 65-48 vs. South Florida
Next game: Feb. 5 at Seton Hall
Current Streak: W 1
Strong Point: Sophomore Paris Horne tallied up 19 points in St. John’s win over South Florida. He is averaging 20.5 points per game in his last four outings.
Area of Improvement: St. John’s having a terrible time holding onto the ball. They are dead last in both turnover margin, with a -4.22 margin and assist/turnover ratio of just 0.55, with just 9.7 assists to their 17.6 turnovers a game.
Overall Analysis: While the Red Storm have the most difficult time with ball handling in the conference, they pushed their stats aside in the win against South Florida Sunday, with 10 assists and just 10 turnovers, forcing the Bulls into 11. It will be interesting to see if they can continue to improve in the assist/turnover column against Seton Hall Thursday.
13. Seton Hall 11-9, 2-6, Stock: Rising
Last game: W 70-67 vs. Rutgers
Next game: Feb. 5 vs. St. John’s
Current Streak: W 2
Strong Point: The Pirates are starting to take advantage of the small things that make big differences. They have increased their numbers in offensive rebounding (13.5 per game), assists/turnover ratio (1.10) and field goal percentage (43%)
Area of Improvement: Seton Hall boasts one of the worst defenses in all of D-1 basketball, giving up a disgusting 83.8 points per game. They have given up 80 or more points per game in 5 of their 8 conference games this year.
Overall Analysis: It’s a shocker, but the Pirates have put together a nice little two-game winning streak, in which they have held both opponents to under 70 points, including 67 against Rutgers last week. If guard Jeremy Hazell continues to average his Big East second best 24.8 points per game, Seton Hall may edge out a few more wins down the stretch.
14. South Florida 7-14, 2-7, Stock: Falling
Last game: L 65-48 at St. John’s
Next game: Feb. 6 vs. Marquette
Current Streak: L 3
Strong Point: Guard Dominique Jones and forward Augustus Gilchrist are the only two Bulls averaging double-figures, with Jones at 19.9 points per game, and the freshman Gilchrist with 11 points.
Area of Improvement: South Florida is shooting just 40.7% from the field and the only team in the Big East averaging just 60 points per game. They shot just 35% from the field in the loss at St. John’s Sunday.
Overall Analysis: South Florida has limited options on the offensive end as it is, not to mention their abysmal 60% average from the free throw line. The Bulls putrid offense has seen just two conference games where they scored 70 points or more.
15. Rutgers 10-12, 1-8, Stock: Falling
Last game: W 75-56 vs. DePaul
Next game: Feb. 3 at Georgetown
Current Streak: W 1
Strong Point: With their win over DePaul, it snapped a nine game losing streak for the Scarlet Knights. Mike Rosario and Justin Griffin combined for 32 points in the win.
Area of Improvement: Rutgers field goal percentage defense is a Big East worst 48.6%. Teams have scored 70 or more points on the Knights in every conference game, but the win against DePaul
Overall Analysis: Rutgers finally got themselves out of the winless column in the league this week. Don’t expect that win to turn into a streak, with a scoring offense of just 64 points per game, and a defense that is giving up 74 points per game.
16. DePaul 8-14, 0-9, Stock: Plummeted
Last game: L 75-56 at Rutgers
Next game: Feb. 3 vs. Marquette
Current Streak: L 9
Strong Point: Dar Tucker is averaging a Big East 8th best 16.4 points per game. He dropped 14 points, and led all DePaul scorers in the loss to Rutgers.
Area of Improvement: DePaul is dead last in the league in scoring margin (-13.3), rebounding margin (-11.8), rebounding defense (41.7), rebounding offense (29.9), defensive rebounds (19.6), offensive rebounds (10.2) and 3 pt. field goal percentage defense (41%). You do the math.
Overall Analysis: Well DePaul…we’re waiting. You are the only team in the league without a win. And not only did you fail to defeat the only other team that had zero wins—Rutgers—in the conference, but you lost in blowout fashion by 19. Every opponent DePaul has left on the schedule is above .500. It’s not a fun thing to say, but we may have the Detroit Lions of the Big East in the Blue Demons.
By Anthony Jaskulski
*All stats provided are conference games only unless otherwise noted.
1. Connecticut 21-1, 10-1, Stock: UP
National Ranking: 1
Last game: W 68-51 at Louisville
Next game: Feb. 7 vs. Michigan
Current Streak: W 10
Strong Point: Connecticut’s front court is averaging over 55% of their 75 points per game average in the paint. Center Hasheem Thabeet is contributing mightily to that stat with 10 double-doubles, including his first career triple-double in last Saturday’s win vs. Providence, in which the big man had 10 blocks, 11 rebounds and 15 points.
Area of Improvement: With just a total of 4.6 three pointers made per game, Connecticut is third to last in the Big East. They have only attempted 123 shots from beyond-the-arc in league play this year, with Villanova and St. John’s as the only two teams that have attempted fewer.
Overall Analysis: The Huskies are down right terrifying right now, and they are proving it in just their first week as the No.1 team in the country. Hitting zero three-pointers against Louisville and still winning by 17 at Freedom Hall, beating a well-equipped Providence team by 29 points in the second half, and averaging a +13.1 scoring margin in conference play to date all adds to an elixir of dominance and near immortality shown from this team.
2. Marquette 19-2, 8-0, Stock: UP
National Ranking: 8
Last game: W 94-82 vs. Georgetown
Next game: Feb. 3 at DePaul
Current Streak: W 11
Strong Point: Jerel McNeal is playing like a man possessed lately. The senior guard ripped apart Notre Dame with 27 points, only to follow up with an assault on Georgetown Saturday with 26 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and five steals. He is currently averaging a Big East third best 23.9 points per game.
Area of Improvement: It hasn’t bitten them yet, but you can count on the rebounding bug to attack soon. With a rebounding margin of just -2.1 per game, including a Big East second-worst 10 offensive rebounds per game, Marquette may have their hands full with the Connecticut’s and Pitt’s later on down the road.
Overall Analysis: Despite their rebounding deficiency’s, it’s about time the Golden Eagles stop catching the weak schedule heat. This team has a back court that can take the best rebounding teams in the country out of the game with their precision shooting, impeccable ball movement and solid creating abilities. A league-best scoring average of 81.8 points per game, and scoring margin of +13.1 per game doesn’t lie.
3. Louisville 17-4, 8-1, Stock: Level
National Ranking: 7
Last game: L 68-51 vs. Connecticut
Next game: Feb. 8 at St. John’s
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: Coach Rick Pitino is showing more and more why is he is the best defensive coach in the country, as he’s boasting the top rated defense in the league, who is giving up an average of just 60 points per game, and holding opponents to just 38.4% per game.
Area of Improvement: For an offense that is much dependent on the deep range threat, Louisville is not helping themselves out by any means, averaging just 31% from three-point range, including a sub-par 5 of 17 effort against Connecticut Monday night.
Overall analysis: Losing their first conference game at Freedom Hall since a 74-65 Jan. 15 loss to Marquette, Louisville went incredibly sour, shooting just 34% from the field, and getting to the free throw line just two times. But don’t expect the Cardinals, who had a nine game winning streak before Monday night, to stay down long, especially when they get to play the second worst scoring offense in the league in St. John’s Saturday.
4. Pittsburgh 20-2, 7-2, Stock: Level
National Ranking: 6
Last game: W 92-72 vs. Robert Morris
Next game: Feb. 7 at DePaul
Current Streak: W2
Strong Point: Rebounding continues to be the key element in Pitt’s success. With a Big East best rebounding offense of just 31.2 per game and an astounding 15 offensive boards a game, the Panthers are still a force to be reckoned with on the glass.
Area of Improvement: The Panthers three-point shooting is getting better, but their perimeter defense is starting to tread water. Pitt is allowing the opposition to 36% in three-point field goal percentage, surrendering 29 in their last three games.
Overall Analysis: Pitt bounced back in blowout fashion after a loss yet again, with Notre Dame on the wrong end of their thrashing this time. The Panthers are on a three-week stretch where they will play a brutal schedule of Saturday and Monday games, but if Levance Fields continues with his Big East best 7.2 assists per game, and the offense continues to connect on the open looks, they can play five days a week and not be effected.
5. Villanova 18-4, 5-3, Stock: Rising
National Ranking: 16
Last game: W 71-50 vs. Cincinnati
Next game: Feb. 4 at Providence
Current Streak: W 3
Strong Point: Dante Cunningham has turned into one of the deadliest big men in the league. While his 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game is something to crave, it was his skills to shut down Pitt big man DeJuan Blair on Wednesday, forcing him into early foul trouble and holding Blair to just seven points and eight rebounds that etched his name as a dominant presence in the paint.
Area of Improvement: Cunningham does not get much help in the paint from his fellow big men. Antionio Pena has combined for just 12 points and five rebounds in the Wildcats last three games, while wing Dwayne Anderson has only reached double figures on the boards and in points in three games.
Overall Analysis: The Wildcats have been on the cusp of knocking off some of the Big East’s best, and with their win against Pitt on Wednesday, can finally put their names next to the top four of this league.
6. Providence 14-7, 6-3, Stock: Level
Last game: L 94-61 at Connecticut
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Villanova
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: Providence continues to light it up in offensive categories, but perhaps that is due mainly to their Big East best 17.44 assists per game. Guard Sharaud Curry has contributed the most with an average of 5.4 this year.
Area of Improvement: The Friars are giving up points in the second half at alarming rates. In their three losses this year, they have been out-scored in the final period 156-103, squandering first half leads in all three games.
Overall Analysis: The past week has taught us a lot about Providence and what they have to do to win—score, and score big. The Friars posted 100 points, out-lasting Syracuse’s 94 point rush, and were pelted by Connecticut when only scoring 61 points. With a defense that is giving up 78 points per game, and a rebounding defense surrendering 37.8, it seems the only way Providence can guarantee a win is scoring at an extremely high pace.
7. Syracuse 17-5, 5-4, Stock: Falling
National Ranking: 20
Last game: L 100-94 at Providence
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. West Virginia
Current Streak: L 3
Strong Point: Despite hitting a sour patch of late, Syracuse is still one of the top offenses in the league averaging 78.2 points per game, and a Big East best field goal percentage of 49.1%.
Area of Improvement: Surrendering a near 75 points per game, the Orange need to figure out how to pace opposing offenses. In their three straight losses, teams have shot over 60% in the final seven minutes of play.
Overall Analysis: It wasn’t long ago when Syracuse was considered one of the elite of the Big East. But now with such a sup-bar effort defensively, and giving up 14.7 turnovers a game, including 21 against Providence, the Orange are falling deeper in the standings, and are in must-win territory against West Virginia Wednesday.
Injury update—Guard Andy Rautins (severe right ankle sprain) is probable for Wednesday’s game vs. West Virginia, while forward Arinze Onuaku (sore knee) is still questionable.
8. West Virginia 15-6, 4-4, Stock: Level
Last game: L 69-63 at Louisville
Next game: Feb. 4 at Syracuse
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: West Virginia knows how to take care of the ball. They have a +2.75 turnover margin, giving up just 12.8 turnovers a game, while forcing 15.5, including a near seven steals per game.
Area of Improvement: Still one of the worst offenses in the league, West Virginia is shooting just 40.8% from the field, including just a 35% performance against Louisville Saturday.
Overall Analysis: Even though it was a loss at Louisville in the books, count it as a moral victory for the Mountaineers, who rallied back from a 20 point halftime deficit, and almost shocked the Freedom Hall crowd. Da’Sean Butler knocked down 23 points in the game, marking the fifth straight time he led all West Virginia scorers. If the rest of the team would just rally behind Butler on the offensive end, the Mountaineers may just be a force this month and on.
9. Cincinnati 13-7, 3-4, Stock: Level
Last game: L 71-50 at Villanova
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Notre Dame
Current Streak: L 1
Strong Point: The Bearcats have found most of their offense from rebounding, in which they are pulling down 14 offensive boards per game, just one behind the Big East leader in Pitt.
Area of Improvement: Aside from their expertise in the rebounding department, there is not much else coming from the offensive end for a Cincinnati team that is averaging just 64 points per game.
Overall Analysis: Guard Deonta Vaughn continues to carry the Bearcats and two wins over St. John’s and Georgetown has generated some buzz for the team that started out 0-3 in conference play. If their scoring margin, however, of -5.1 doesn’t shift soon, the buzz won’t be around much longer.
10. Georgetown 12-8, 3-6, Stock: Falling
Last game: L 94-82 at Marquette
Next game: Feb. 3 vs. Rutgers
Current Streak: L 5
Strong Point: Guard Chris Wright is starting to feel at home with his new Georgetown team. Wright added 19 points and eight assists, while shooting 56% from the field in the loss at Marquette Saturday.
Area of Improvement: Almost everything needs improving for the Hoyas who have fallen hard in the standings, all the way to 10th place now tied with Notre Dame. One stat that sticks out like a sore thumb for Georgetown is defensive rebounds, in which they corralling just 19.8 per game, while only grabbing 11.8 on the offensive end.
Overall Analysis: Things continue to get worse for the Hoyas, who have lost five straight games now. In their current slump, Georgetown has been held to under 68 points in 4 of the last 5 games, while only shooting 41% from the field in that span.
11. Notre Dame 12-8, 3-6, Stock: Falling
National Ranking: 22
Last game: L 93-80 at Pittsburgh
Next game: Feb. 4 at Cincinnati
Current Streak: L5
Strong Point: Along with shooting a Big East best 80% from the free throw line, they also have a best assist/turnover ratio at 1.54, with 16 assists a game to just 10 turnovers.
Area of Improvement: Notre Dame’s defense continues to struggle, as they have fallen second to last, surrendering 79.1 points per game, including 92 points to a Pitt team that is averaging just 75 points per game.
Overall Analysis: The Irish have lost five straight—all to ranked teams—and even got the painful “N-I-T” chant from Panther fans after losing Saturday in Pittsburgh. While defense is certainly their biggest problem, opposing teams figuring out their offense in the second half is becoming another dilemma. After shooting 11 of 22 from beyond-the-arc in the first half, Pitt held Notre Dame to just 1 of 5 in the final period.
12. St. John’s 12-9, 3-6, Stock: Level
Last game: W 65-48 vs. South Florida
Next game: Feb. 5 at Seton Hall
Current Streak: W 1
Strong Point: Sophomore Paris Horne tallied up 19 points in St. John’s win over South Florida. He is averaging 20.5 points per game in his last four outings.
Area of Improvement: St. John’s having a terrible time holding onto the ball. They are dead last in both turnover margin, with a -4.22 margin and assist/turnover ratio of just 0.55, with just 9.7 assists to their 17.6 turnovers a game.
Overall Analysis: While the Red Storm have the most difficult time with ball handling in the conference, they pushed their stats aside in the win against South Florida Sunday, with 10 assists and just 10 turnovers, forcing the Bulls into 11. It will be interesting to see if they can continue to improve in the assist/turnover column against Seton Hall Thursday.
13. Seton Hall 11-9, 2-6, Stock: Rising
Last game: W 70-67 vs. Rutgers
Next game: Feb. 5 vs. St. John’s
Current Streak: W 2
Strong Point: The Pirates are starting to take advantage of the small things that make big differences. They have increased their numbers in offensive rebounding (13.5 per game), assists/turnover ratio (1.10) and field goal percentage (43%)
Area of Improvement: Seton Hall boasts one of the worst defenses in all of D-1 basketball, giving up a disgusting 83.8 points per game. They have given up 80 or more points per game in 5 of their 8 conference games this year.
Overall Analysis: It’s a shocker, but the Pirates have put together a nice little two-game winning streak, in which they have held both opponents to under 70 points, including 67 against Rutgers last week. If guard Jeremy Hazell continues to average his Big East second best 24.8 points per game, Seton Hall may edge out a few more wins down the stretch.
14. South Florida 7-14, 2-7, Stock: Falling
Last game: L 65-48 at St. John’s
Next game: Feb. 6 vs. Marquette
Current Streak: L 3
Strong Point: Guard Dominique Jones and forward Augustus Gilchrist are the only two Bulls averaging double-figures, with Jones at 19.9 points per game, and the freshman Gilchrist with 11 points.
Area of Improvement: South Florida is shooting just 40.7% from the field and the only team in the Big East averaging just 60 points per game. They shot just 35% from the field in the loss at St. John’s Sunday.
Overall Analysis: South Florida has limited options on the offensive end as it is, not to mention their abysmal 60% average from the free throw line. The Bulls putrid offense has seen just two conference games where they scored 70 points or more.
15. Rutgers 10-12, 1-8, Stock: Falling
Last game: W 75-56 vs. DePaul
Next game: Feb. 3 at Georgetown
Current Streak: W 1
Strong Point: With their win over DePaul, it snapped a nine game losing streak for the Scarlet Knights. Mike Rosario and Justin Griffin combined for 32 points in the win.
Area of Improvement: Rutgers field goal percentage defense is a Big East worst 48.6%. Teams have scored 70 or more points on the Knights in every conference game, but the win against DePaul
Overall Analysis: Rutgers finally got themselves out of the winless column in the league this week. Don’t expect that win to turn into a streak, with a scoring offense of just 64 points per game, and a defense that is giving up 74 points per game.
16. DePaul 8-14, 0-9, Stock: Plummeted
Last game: L 75-56 at Rutgers
Next game: Feb. 3 vs. Marquette
Current Streak: L 9
Strong Point: Dar Tucker is averaging a Big East 8th best 16.4 points per game. He dropped 14 points, and led all DePaul scorers in the loss to Rutgers.
Area of Improvement: DePaul is dead last in the league in scoring margin (-13.3), rebounding margin (-11.8), rebounding defense (41.7), rebounding offense (29.9), defensive rebounds (19.6), offensive rebounds (10.2) and 3 pt. field goal percentage defense (41%). You do the math.
Overall Analysis: Well DePaul…we’re waiting. You are the only team in the league without a win. And not only did you fail to defeat the only other team that had zero wins—Rutgers—in the conference, but you lost in blowout fashion by 19. Every opponent DePaul has left on the schedule is above .500. It’s not a fun thing to say, but we may have the Detroit Lions of the Big East in the Blue Demons.
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