Andy Katz has an article on MU and Pitt this morning--I am not an "Insider"--little help from those that are?
Pitt, Marquette both feel good
posted: Monday, March 5, 2007 | Feedback | Print Entry
MILWAUKEE -- Remember when Pitt and Marquette were sexy picks to be the Big East teams to make a run at Atlanta?
Well, according to both squads, no one is ready to say those dreams have died.
When Georgetown got off to a 1-2 start it was easy to start looking at Pitt and Marquette as the potential Big East title contenders. Pitt stayed in the chase and could have won a share of the title with the Hoyas on Saturday while the Golden Eagles continued to be one of the most erratic teams in the league.
Still, both teams left the Bradley Center after the Golden Eagles' 75-71 victory with reasons why they feel they can go deep into March.
Marquette: The Golden Eagles have no idea how long they'll play without guard Jerel McNeal, who hurt his right thumb in a Friday practice. McNeal, the team's top defending guard, said he'll have it examined again this week and hasn't been told it's broken.
McNeal's absence meant the Eagles had to use their depth more and if the results from Saturday are any indication then the Golden Eagles should be fine. David Cubillan was brilliant with 8 of 8 at the line, finishing with 20 points off the bench, making 4 of 7 3s. Mike Kinsella came in and buried two of three 3s. And more importantly, the Eagles stayed true to themselves, aggressively driving at Pitt, even when the Panthers were in a 2-3 zone. They also did an exceptional job of sharing the ball, dishing out 17 assists for 25 baskets.
"We can beat anybody," Marquette guard Dominic James said. "Coach [Tom Crean] instills that in us."
This is all you have to know about Crean: He values any kind of championship. He put up Great Alaska Championship banners in the Bradley Center and even hoisted a CBE Classic title from earlier this season. The Golden Eagles hadn't finished the regular season and a banner with wins over Idaho State, Detroit, Texas Tech and Duke is in the rafters. [YIKES]
The Eagles were down a driver, someone who can create with McNeal out. Still, this squad, with help from the largest crowd ever to witness a college basketball game in the state of Wisconsin (19,021), was able to hold off a late Pitt rally.
"We got back to the basics, driving the ball and challenging shots," Crean said.
As for Pitt, the Panthers weren't overly disappointed Saturday and with good reason. They still feel they're in good shape to win the Big East tournament and advance deep in the NCAAs.
The reason is center Aaron Gray, who finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, the unselfish and spirited play of Levon Kendall (nine points, two blocks and two steals against Marquette) and the hope that the Pitt guards will make shots again.
Levance Fields, Antonio Graves, Keith Benjamin and Ronald Ramon were a combined four for 20 on 3s against the Eagles.
"We have points where we look like we're one of the best teams in the country and others where we look like one of the bottom teams in the Big East," Gray said.
Pitt coach Jamie Dixon wasn't about to bash his team after winning 25 games this season and finishing second in the Big East. And his remedy for losing two of the last three games is pretty simple: shooting and oh something called a true road game in hostile environments (Georgetown was the other loss).
The Panthers plan on involving Gray even more, and must shore up a porous on-the-ball defense.
The biggest difference in the NCAAs is this: Pitt will have an advantageous seed while Marquette might not.
Quote from: MU Chi_IL on March 05, 2007, 11:00:32 AM
The biggest difference in the NCAAs is this: Pitt will have an advantageous seed while Marquette might not.
true......but the seed matters less than the matchup IMHO
Katz isn't the only one who thinks that CBE banner is lame.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on March 05, 2007, 12:49:35 PM
Katz isn't the only one who thinks that CBE banner is lame.
Katz is a rodent
He's just jealous cause Wisconsin isn't in any tournaments during the season, and therefore are adding to their streak of not having won a championship of any kind.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on March 05, 2007, 12:49:35 PM
Katz isn't the only one who thinks that CBE banner is lame.
Andy Katz and PRN, pretty exclusive company. :-*