CTC Day Eleven Preview: Three Days, Three Big East Quadruple-Headers

After eight games in two days, why not go for 12 in three days.  The top four seeds in the Big East join the fray today to take on the four winners from yesterday.

#1 Syracuse vs. #9 Connecticut
The game of the day gets going just about immediately, as the defending champs are looking for one more magical run in MSG to get them to the Dance.  The ‘Cuse has been one of the top 2 teams all year and should easily have a #1 seed next week win or lose today.  Quick note that I found amazing – Syracuse is in the top 5 in the nation in steals, despite being among the rarest teams in the nation to employ a fullcourt press.  That is a great zone.  18 people have the ‘Cuse here; no one has UConn.  Gross and Teddy have already lost this game with WVU.

#4 Cincinnati vs. #5 Georgetown
The surprising Bearcats, who like the “opponents,” have looked like a totally different team since the brawl with Xavier – except they’ve moved in opposite directions.  While X went south, Cincy sort of took off.  And, now they are the 4-seed in this tournament and didn’t have to play until today.  G’town, who beat Pitt yesterday, is looking to possibly meet up with their arch-rivals Syracuse in what would be a terrific semifinal.  This is a HUGE swing game in the CTC, as all 20 people have one of these two teams, and it’s split almost down the middle.  There are actually more G’town picks (11) than Cincy picks (9 – Bry, Doogan, Gross, Lil Lohse, Lohse, Mac, Scoot, Stri, Waters).  Only Gross has Cincy in the finals, but J, KA, Lynch, and Teddy all have the Hoyas reaching the final.  J and Lynch have them winning it.

#2 Marquette vs. #7 Louisville
This is another terrific quarterfinal matchup, as the Golden Eagles of Marquette enter the tournament to face a L’ville team that may have sent Seton Hall to the NIT last night.  Dave, Mac, and Primm all have a really solid upset pick with L’ville here.  The other 17 all have ‘Quette.  Doogan, Gross, RSmith, and Teddy all have Marquette winning this tournament.

#3 Notre Dame vs. #6 South Florida
I think the national Coach of the Year race is not a race at all.  Mike Brey should have the award locked up.  He has a team heading to the Dance that wasn’t even supposed to make the NIT.  Oh, and did I mention that they lost, by far, their best player?  Wow.  Stan Heath hasn’t done so bad, himself, as the Bulls of USF are poised to make the tourney, as well, especially after handling ‘Nova last night.  Dave, Gross, J, and Lynch have USF in this upset.  Dave, J, and Lynch have them in the finals.  KA has Notre Dame winning it all; Mac and Waters have them in the finals.