Big East Tournament Preview: Georgetown should emerge with title BY Roger Rubin
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Sir'Dominic Pointer can get out on the fast break - and so can the Johnnies - which should mean at least a semifinal appearance for the Red Storm in the Big East Tournament.
The Big East is back, and this year's tournament at the Garden could be a classic.
The conference not only has returned to elite status − it is rated second best in the nation − but it also is expecting more than half its members to get invited to the NCAA Tournament.
There are star players and a probable No. 1 NCAA seed.
Here is what to look for starting Wednesday:
FOUR INTERESTING THINGS
1. Six Big East teams appear destined for the NCAA Tournament, but how they fare in the next four days may determine how they are seeded in the Big Dance and, thus, how deep they may be able to go.
2. Top-seeded Villanova (ranked 4th nationally) is 29-2 and on a 12-game winning streak. The Wildcats are the prohibitive favorite to win the title, which would almost certainly lock up a No. 1 seed for the NCAAs. The 'Cats are trying to become only the fifth top seed in 15 seasons to cut down the nets at the Garden.
3. No. 22 Butler was the biggest surprise of the season, snaring third place after being picked seventh in the preseason coaches' poll. Coach Brandon Miller took a medical leave of absence before the season and Chris Holtmann took over. When Miller did not return, Holtmann got the job. Now he should be the Big East Coach of the Year.
4. St. John's, which hasn't won a conference tourney game since 2011, started 1-4 in conference play, but went 10-8 down the stretch.
THREE SIGHTS TO SEE
1. Villanova exploiting a weakness: Every team has one and the Wildcats are great at exposing their foes. 'Nova has seven guys who can do damage. The 'Cats keep passing until they find the vulnerability - whether it's three-point defense, a lack of size or someone who's a step slow, .
2. LaDontae Henton with the ball: The Providence senior forward is nicknamed "Buckets" because he just finds a way to get them. Drive, pull-up from 18 feet or score off the glass, the conference's top scorer does it all.
3. St. John's on the break: The Johnnies are loaded with athletes who love to run and throw in a little razzle dazzle along the way. Sir'Dominic Pointer is the author of many highlight-reel dunks, but Rysheed Jordan gets his share; Phil Greene is equally good on a layup or pull-up jumpers, and D'Angelo Harrison lives to finish with three-pointers.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Pointer, St. John's: Though there may be no single force stronger in the conference − the 6-6 senior averaged 13.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals - he was not chosen by conference coaches for the all-Big East first team. A second-teamer, he gets his chance now to prove the other coaches wrong.
2. JayVaughn Pinkston, Villanova: The Brooklyn product ceded individual stats and promoted great team play, but he has been big in critical moments for the Wildcats. This is his New York swan song, and he seems to rise to the occasion when he is home. New York guys often leave their impression on the Big East Tournament (Taliek Brown anyone?).
3. Kris Dunn, Providence: Our pick for Player of the Year, he made it possible for the Friars to remain great despite the loss of Bryce Cotton. He can score, create and rebound. If he has three big games, the Friars can repeat as champions.
TWO SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS
Villanova vs. St. John's: The Wildcats are rolling, and coach Jay Wright has them playing an unselfish brand of basketball. The 'Cats have too much for either Seton Hall or Marquette. The Red Storm gets a quarterfinal matchup with a Providence team it beat twice. Winning a third meeting is always tough, but the senior-laden squad has never won a Big East Tournament game and wants one badly.
Georgetown vs. Butler: Neither DePaul nor Creighton (and we like Creighton) can match up. Georgetown's inside-out pairing of guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and center Joshua Smith should be difficult to stop in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs are again consistent as a metronome. They don't have many bad losses and will play a quarterfinal against the conference's most schizophrenic team in Xavier.
ONE CHAMPION
Georgetown: The Hoyas' versatility − with Smith inside, Smith-Rivera outside and dynamic role players such as Isaac Copeland − earn their first Big East title since 2007 by beating St. John's. It's their depth, though, that will set them apart in playing a third game in three nights. The Storm's short rotation plays a lot of minutes and might not have its legs.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/big-east-tournament-preview-georgetown-pick-article-1.2144890
Sir'Dominic Pointer can get out on the fast break - and so can the Johnnies - which should mean at least a semifinal appearance for the Red Storm in the Big East Tournament.
The Big East is back, and this year's tournament at the Garden could be a classic.
The conference not only has returned to elite status − it is rated second best in the nation − but it also is expecting more than half its members to get invited to the NCAA Tournament.
There are star players and a probable No. 1 NCAA seed.
Here is what to look for starting Wednesday:
FOUR INTERESTING THINGS
1. Six Big East teams appear destined for the NCAA Tournament, but how they fare in the next four days may determine how they are seeded in the Big Dance and, thus, how deep they may be able to go.
2. Top-seeded Villanova (ranked 4th nationally) is 29-2 and on a 12-game winning streak. The Wildcats are the prohibitive favorite to win the title, which would almost certainly lock up a No. 1 seed for the NCAAs. The 'Cats are trying to become only the fifth top seed in 15 seasons to cut down the nets at the Garden.
3. No. 22 Butler was the biggest surprise of the season, snaring third place after being picked seventh in the preseason coaches' poll. Coach Brandon Miller took a medical leave of absence before the season and Chris Holtmann took over. When Miller did not return, Holtmann got the job. Now he should be the Big East Coach of the Year.
4. St. John's, which hasn't won a conference tourney game since 2011, started 1-4 in conference play, but went 10-8 down the stretch.
THREE SIGHTS TO SEE
1. Villanova exploiting a weakness: Every team has one and the Wildcats are great at exposing their foes. 'Nova has seven guys who can do damage. The 'Cats keep passing until they find the vulnerability - whether it's three-point defense, a lack of size or someone who's a step slow, .
2. LaDontae Henton with the ball: The Providence senior forward is nicknamed "Buckets" because he just finds a way to get them. Drive, pull-up from 18 feet or score off the glass, the conference's top scorer does it all.
3. St. John's on the break: The Johnnies are loaded with athletes who love to run and throw in a little razzle dazzle along the way. Sir'Dominic Pointer is the author of many highlight-reel dunks, but Rysheed Jordan gets his share; Phil Greene is equally good on a layup or pull-up jumpers, and D'Angelo Harrison lives to finish with three-pointers.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Pointer, St. John's: Though there may be no single force stronger in the conference − the 6-6 senior averaged 13.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals - he was not chosen by conference coaches for the all-Big East first team. A second-teamer, he gets his chance now to prove the other coaches wrong.
2. JayVaughn Pinkston, Villanova: The Brooklyn product ceded individual stats and promoted great team play, but he has been big in critical moments for the Wildcats. This is his New York swan song, and he seems to rise to the occasion when he is home. New York guys often leave their impression on the Big East Tournament (Taliek Brown anyone?).
3. Kris Dunn, Providence: Our pick for Player of the Year, he made it possible for the Friars to remain great despite the loss of Bryce Cotton. He can score, create and rebound. If he has three big games, the Friars can repeat as champions.
TWO SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS
Villanova vs. St. John's: The Wildcats are rolling, and coach Jay Wright has them playing an unselfish brand of basketball. The 'Cats have too much for either Seton Hall or Marquette. The Red Storm gets a quarterfinal matchup with a Providence team it beat twice. Winning a third meeting is always tough, but the senior-laden squad has never won a Big East Tournament game and wants one badly.
Georgetown vs. Butler: Neither DePaul nor Creighton (and we like Creighton) can match up. Georgetown's inside-out pairing of guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and center Joshua Smith should be difficult to stop in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs are again consistent as a metronome. They don't have many bad losses and will play a quarterfinal against the conference's most schizophrenic team in Xavier.
ONE CHAMPION
Georgetown: The Hoyas' versatility − with Smith inside, Smith-Rivera outside and dynamic role players such as Isaac Copeland − earn their first Big East title since 2007 by beating St. John's. It's their depth, though, that will set them apart in playing a third game in three nights. The Storm's short rotation plays a lot of minutes and might not have its legs.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/big-east-tournament-preview-georgetown-pick-article-1.2144890
