Thoughts at tournament time….Do you like good defense attempting to bottle up high powered offense? Check Murray State vs. Marquette on Thursday. Racers are an excellent perimeter defensive team holding opponents to 29% shooting from downtown. Marquette is burying long range attempts at an impressive 39% rate. Something has to give and it will be interesting to see how the respective coaches, Matt McMahon of Murray state and Marquette’s Steve Wojciechowski will adjust.
Speaking of long range shooting...Seton Hall will have to contend with Wofford, The Southern Conference champions are currently hitting 42% from three with an eFG percentage of 58%. Wofford’s last loss was December 19th at Mississippi State. The Terriers of coach Mike Young are on a twenty game win streak. Expect a shootout- given Wofford’s ability from deep and Seton Hall’s Myles Powell who is not bashful about attempting from long range.
Big East Tournament, from the notebook. Fans. Got to love them. Friday night after Seton Hall’s battle of attrition over Marquette in the semis, rode the train back to New Jersey with a number of Seton Hall fans. Many in a celebratory mood. Many angered with sitting through a near three hour 52 foul fest.
In my area were two fans complaining about Jay Wright’s guards. Case of envy as they admitted Villanova (the Hall’s BET final opponent) has excellent guards but they are all the same. And they couldn’t stand them.
Next afternoon heading from Barclays Center to Manhattan, a Villanova Junior coed tells me, "I despise Seton Hall. Can’t stand Kevin Willard, can’t stand their style of play, absolutely despise them." What about Myles Powell I asked? She looked at me, paused a few seconds before saying, "oh, he’s a great player." Fans, got to love them.
Thought Villanova would get a higher seed in the Big Dance. Tough matchup with Saint Mary’s. Gaels are coming off that big conference champion win over Gonzaga. With a 115 offensive efficiency and a 38% mark from three, Villanova will be tested. Feeling here is Jay Wright’s club will move on.
St. John’s and Arizona State meeting at Dayton gave New York media outlets a healthy supply of stories. Chris Mullin vs. Bobby Hurley on the sidelines. For St. John’s, a first NCAA tournament appearance since 2015. They may have been the final pick Selection Sunday but they are back. The attention and visibility the appearance affords-with observers and recruits as well-is significant. Get a win or two and more attention comes your way. Soon enough people may forget you were the last chosen in the field.
Xavier hoped to get in. Travis Steele felt his team, winners in seven of their last eight, prior to an overtime loss to Villanova in the Big East semis, "was playing as well as anybody out there." At 18-15 it was a hard sell. Yes, they finished strong but how you wind up is no longer a vital part of the selection criteria. Xavier did not get the call on Selection Sunday. The Musketeers did get an invite to the NIT, hosting Toledo in the opening round.
Thought Providence may do some damage in the NIT. Friars were defeated by Arkansas 84-72 in their first round game at the ‘Dunk’ (Dunkin Donuts Center) . Ed Cooley’s Friars wound up 18-16 on the season.
Enjoy the Madness!!!!