ESPN Blog; Conference Power Rankings: Big East

[JTBMU7]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/47355/conference-power-rankings-big-east-9

Has ND 2nd and MU 4th, probably an overreaction but the assessments of both teams are fair. If ND is hitting 3's at home they are lethal. Without Gardner we are a much different team. Can't argue too much with her on this one, though I would have put GTown at 2 and ND/MU at 3/4. 

[MarquetteDano]

N.D. better not end up 2nd-3rd in Big East and flame out in the tourney again.  Seems like a reoccurring theme that they play better than expected in the Big East then lose earlier than expected in the NCAA.  Would rather have a UConn type that plays poorly in Big East and does well in the tourney.

[CTWarrior]

The comment about Marquette is:

4. Marquette: Notre Dame snapped the Golden Eagles' seven-game win streak in decisive fashion, but it should be noted Davante Gardner was out with a knee injury. That changes things significantly for Marquette's defense.

I disagree that Gardner's absence changes things for us defensively, since J Wilson is almost certainly a better/more agile defender.  Otule's absence is what kills us on defense.  Gardner's absence really hurts our offense, as he is an effective low post scorer and passer and everybody gets better shots when he is playing.  And he either makes his open layups or gets to the foul line.

[jsglow]

I like ND a lot as a basketball team right now but to list them #2 in the BEast is downright silly.

[JTBMU7]

I like ND a lot as a basketball team right now but to list them #2 in the BEast is downright silly.

why? they are a half game out of second and have beaten the leagues top 2 teams already.

not saying i agree that ND is that good, but ESPN is probably correct in ranking them 2nd right now given their conference resume and current hot streak.

[jsglow]

why? they are a half game out of second and have beaten the leagues top 2 teams already.

not saying i agree that ND is that good, but ESPN is probably correct in ranking them 2nd right now given their conference resume and current hot streak.

Won at home.  I guess I'd cite anything from their RPI to their bubble status for the tourney.  So when they lose at West Virginia do they get knocked down to 5-6?  Frankly, I'm not all that concerned about it.  I just thought it was a tad too high for a team that's made a very nice recovery that has a real chance to get to the NCAA when back in December they were left for dead.

[wadesworld]

N.D. better not end up 2nd-3rd in Big East and flame out in the tourney again.  Seems like a reoccurring theme that they play better than expected in the Big East then lose earlier than expected in the NCAA.  Would rather have a UConn type that plays poorly in Big East and does well in the tourney.

They are to the Big East what Wisconsin is to the Big Ten.  Play the same type of game and typically have the same type of success both in the regular season and the NCAA Tournament.

[Warriors10]

Have them play on the road.  That 6 man rotation will come back to haunt them.

[Aughnanure]

why? they are a half game out of second and have beaten the leagues top 2 teams already.

not saying i agree that ND is that good, but ESPN is probably correct in ranking them 2nd right now given their conference resume and current hot streak.

You answered your own question.

[MUMac]

The comment about Marquette is:

4. Marquette: Notre Dame snapped the Golden Eagles' seven-game win streak in decisive fashion, but it should be noted Davante Gardner was out with a knee injury. That changes things significantly for Marquette's defense.

I disagree that Gardner's absence changes things for us defensively, since J Wilson is almost certainly a better/more agile defender.  Otule's absence is what kills us on defense.  Gardner's absence really hurts our offense, as he is an effective low post scorer and passer and everybody gets better shots when he is playing.  And he either makes his open layups or gets to the foul line.

Without Gardner to battle Harangody part duex, Jamail got into foul trouble.  That left JJ and Crowder to defend the post.

[MU82]

Gardner's absence hurt our D, killed our O.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Won at home.  I guess I'd cite anything from their RPI to their bubble status for the tourney.

Meh. I'd say their tourney hopes are pretty safe right now. The bubble is going to be very weak. They have more quality wins already then the true bubble teams will have come selection Sunday. I don't think they'll finish in the top four in the Big East, but they're pretty much in the tourney unless they crap the bed from here on out.

[lab_warrior]

Have them play on the road.  That 6 man rotation will come back to haunt them.

Yeah, it's going to be real fun watching them fall back to the pack.

[MattyWarrior]

Uconn down by 24 at Louisville...