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ESPN's Big East preview: There is no overwhelming favorite

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There’s no overwhelming favorite, but Villanova, Georgetown, Xavier and Butler can all make a reasonable case as the top team in the league.

ESPN's C.L. Brown

Big East recognized as part of Yahoo! Sports' Best/Worst in College Basketball for November

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Concern that Villanova might be the Big East's lone nationally relevant team this season have proven totally unfounded thus far. The league amassed an impressive 48-12 November record with a collection of quality wins rivaling those of any other conference. Butler toppled North Carolina at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Villanova defeated VCU and Michigan to win the Legends Classic. Creighton stunned Oklahoma. Georgetown upset Florida. Providence bested Notre Dame. Heck, even DePaul got in on the fun, rolling past Stanford by 13 points on Sunday afternoon. You can argue that the Big 12 has been the nation's best conference so far and that the ACC has the most potential Final Four teams, but no league exceeded expectations more in November than the Big East.

Yahoo! Sports

Jay Wright named to ESPN best dressed coaches list

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College basketball’s version of Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior, with regard to taste, would pit Pitino against Wright. Villanova’s head coach doesn’t just wear his suits, he becomes them. His colorful shirts and flawless jackets make his elegant ties glow.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/100630/top10thursday-best-dressed-coaches

Xavier named one of the most underrated teams in the country by ESPN's Jeff Goodman

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They lost Semaj Christon, but Chris Mack has far more depth than he’s had since taking over for Sean Miller five years ago. Xavier has a proven big man in Matt Stainbrook, a talented veteran in Jalen Reynolds and also welcomes a talented recruiting class led by Trevon Bluiett. The Musketeers didn’t earn a single vote in the coaches poll. "They won 20-plus last season, and losing Semaj was addition by subtraction," said one coach. "Stainbrook looks like a different guy than when he arrived, Reynolds will make a jump and I really like the newcomers -- Bluiett in particular."

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/jeff-goodman/post?id=4222 (Insider article) What do you think, Xavier fans? Is Goodman right?

Schedule announced for 2014-2015 Chris Mack Radio Show

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Monday, Nov. 3

Monday, Nov. 10

Monday, Nov. 17

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Monday, Dec. 8

Monday, Dec. 15

Monday, Dec. 29

Monday, Jan. 5

Monday, Jan. 12

Monday, Jan. 19

Monday, Feb. 2

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Monday, Feb. 16

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Monday, March 2

Monday, March 9 Via There you have it. As the release says, the show was wildly popular last season. I enjoy these types of things if only for the coach-fan interaction aspect.

ESPN: Butler Bulldogs in limbo as coach Brandon Miller remains on medical leave of absence

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"We're trying to be as transparent as we can be, but still respect Brandon's privacy," said Holtmann, the former head coach at Gardner-Webb. "We tell the guys all the time to worry about what they can control today, and it's the same for all of us. There are certainly questions we have to answer in some cases, especially in respect to recruiting, and we do the best we can with that.'

From Dana O'Neill's story on Butler head coach Brandon Miller's current leave of absence.

VU Hoops: Darrun Hilliard - "Yes [it's me] or one of these guys, the best team and the best player."

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"I think that's wrong. I don't think it's right at all," Hilliard said turning a scowl when asked about if he was snubbed for the preseason award on Wednesday morning. "I know a lot of people know that and I'm glad my teammates feel that way and I feel that way honestly."

And it didn't stop there. Not by a long shot.

"Yes [it's me] or one of these guys, the best team and the best player," Hilliard responded when asked if he believed he was the best player in the conference. From VU Hoops, who had an interview with arguably the best player in the Big East Conference on Wednesday at Big East Media Day.

Want to discuss DePaul basketball with Oliver Purnell? Here's your chance!

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DePaul will host its annual basketball Tip-Off Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at McGrath-Phillips Arena. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon costs just $15. It includes lunch and previews of the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball seasons from the head coaches.

http://www.depaulbluedemons.com/genrel/100614aaa.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter Given how the majority of our readers feel about Purnell, I'm sure this would lead to very productive discourse.

Xavier Mile Times

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MBB held our annual mile run this morning. @KevoCoker24 led the pack at 5:29. @B_RadXU12's record remains intact.

https://twitter.com/XavierMBB/status/510444856783953921