Does the Big East Tournament ever disappoint? It sure didn’t in the quarterfinals round.
UConn, St. John’s, Providence, and Marquette all advanced, setting up a never-before-seen semifinals. While the Huskies and Golden Eagles are the favorites, the Red Storm and Friars have seemed to find late-season surges. And at Madison Square Garden, anything can happen.
Takeaway #1: Historic ball movement could mean more hardware
I had to do a double-take when I read the box score. UConn dished out 29 assists on 35 made field goals in their win over Xavier. Eight different players had at least one assist and five players had four or more. Hassan Diarra, who played 17 minutes off the bench, had four. Donovan Clingan, who averages 1.5 APG, had four.
There’s a lot UConn does well, and elite for that matter. But that type of chemistry is incredibly hard to pull off. Guys have to buy into the message Dan Hurley preaches, trust each other, and of course, make shots.
All of that happened and UConn benefitted from it with an 87-60 win. Whether it’s the Big East Tournament and/or the NCAA Tournament, if the Huskies are dishing out dimes at that rate, UConn might have to make a bigger trophy case.
Takeaway #2: Rick Pitino proves coaching can work
On Feb. 18, St. John’s gave up a double-digit lead to Seton Hall and lost by six points. Pitino gave a rant after the game and proceeded to call out his players for their lack of toughness, among other things.
Since then, the Red Storm haven’t lost, riding a six-game winning streak into the Big East Tournament semifinals.
Daniss Jenkins and Jordan Dingle have upped their game and the physicality of the Johnnies was evident in the win over The Hall.
Obviously, Pitino isn’t liked by everyone. But no one can question his coaching and right now, you can credit it for a turnaround that might lead the Red Storm into March Madness.
Takeaway #3: Devin Carter deserves to play in the NCAA Tournament
The Big East Player of the Year might be on a bubble team, but he’s proving why the Friars should be in March Madness.
Carter posted 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in an upset over Creighton, potentially setting up the Friars for an at-large bid. Of course, a win over Marquette would really put the Friars in great standing, and it all falls on the shoulders of Carter.
Guys like Josh Oduro and Ticket Gaines have been crucial to the Friars’ success, but there’s a reason Carter is the season’s Big East MVP. He makes tough shots, plays tough, leads by example, and barely comes off the court. Every coach in America wants a guy like Devin Carter. Kim English is living it in real life.
Takeaway #4: Marquette’s win will build character
It wasn’t pretty – a 68-62 win in overtime – but it’s a win that can help the Golden Eagles in March. No Tyler Kolek meant someone else HAD to step up. Stevie Mitchell took that challenge, scoring 15 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and forcing 3 steals.
Kam Jones and Oso Ighodaro are talented enough to lead Marquette in the Big East Tournament without Kolek. But once they get their star guard back, it could be all the more dangerous, now that a shorthanded Marquette team won a tough game over Villanova.
Sometimes it’s these little intricacies that have massive impacts on tournament basketball.