[2013] ESPN somewhat new bracketology- no bracket-but Scurve

[stever20]

The AAC for them with 6 games vs Memphis, UConn(both with exempt tourney wins) and undefeated Cincy will be huge. Where Pitino will miss the old BE schedule(as will the C7 frankly)- is not having as many different styles in conference play, so when you got to the tourney, you had seen everything you would see in the tourney. You could say ok this team's style is similar to Pittsburgh, we need to do this when we play them.

Agree. There's also the factor of having been tested. UConn is the only team that I see really testing Louisville. Memphis under Pastner has yet to prove itself to be a big game program and Cincinnati under Cronin was pretty much a middle of the pack program in the Big East. Despite Cincinnati's early season wins against virtually nobody, I see no evidence that the Bearcats have become anything other than that same middle of the pack team as compared with the old Big East.

As for UConn, your point about diversity of styles really applies here. As good as UConn is, they are a doughnut team with a big hole in the middle. They will give Louisville great experience 2-3 times this year playing against a quick, perimeter team, but it will do nothing for helping the Cardinals learn to play against a tough, inside team or a strong physical one.

If you're using early season results to bash Cincy(Xavier fans would be happy), you have to give Memphis credit for what they've done.

[Bill Marsh]

The AAC for them with 6 games vs Memphis, UConn(both with exempt tourney wins) and undefeated Cincy will be huge. Where Pitino will miss the old BE schedule(as will the C7 frankly)- is not having as many different styles in conference play, so when you got to the tourney, you had seen everything you would see in the tourney. You could say ok this team's style is similar to Pittsburgh, we need to do this when we play them.

Agree. There's also the factor of having been tested. UConn is the only team that I see really testing Louisville. Memphis under Pastner has yet to prove itself to be a big game program and Cincinnati under Cronin was pretty much a middle of the pack program in the Big East. Despite Cincinnati's early season wins against virtually nobody, I see no evidence that the Bearcats have become anything other than that same middle of the pack team as compared with the old Big East.

As for UConn, your point about diversity of styles really applies here. As good as UConn is, they are a doughnut team with a big hole in the middle. They will give Louisville great experience 2-3 times this year playing against a quick, perimeter team, but it will do nothing for helping the Cardinals learn to play against a tough, inside team or a strong physical one.

If you're using early season results to bash Cincy(Xavier fans would be happy), you have to give Memphis credit for what they've done.

Not bashing anyone. Just saying that Cincy has to do a lot more than they have before I think of them as a major player.

I'm not sure that one early season win in 2 chances over OK State means that Pastner has finally figured it out. He certainly has the talent. Who knows? Maybe this will be their year. Louisville better hope so if they want to be tested.

[Jet915]

Another bracketology out today, Big East with 4 teams in (Villanova, Creighton, Georgetown and Xavier). Butler is part of first 4 out. Sounds about right. Although he has some questionable teams in right now like Maryland....

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

[stever20]

I don't know if the Maryland thing is right. 13 seed. May only be because they're the conference "leader" right now at 1-0 so getting Auto Bid.

Xavier in the PIG.

[XUFan09]

I don't know if the Maryland thing is right. 13 seed. May only be because they're the conference "leader" right now at 1-0 so getting Auto Bid.

Xavier in the PIG.

I think you're right on Maryland receiving the Auto Bid.

As for Xavier, I think they're trending upwards. The Butler game coming up will be tough though.

[billyfa]

Well we're already halfway through out of conference play with most of the big games (from the tournaments) behind us. So far it has been disappointing. I personally think things will get better, but just saying as of now only having one ranked team isn't how I expected us to do first month.

There have been disappointments in that there are games that could have been won against high profile opponents, or at least relatively high profile opponents, that were lost. These have to be considered missed opportunities.

But it's hard to rate this season as overall disappointing at this point - not when power ratings still have them as a top 5 conference, based solely on this year's results. They're neck and neck with the ACC for 4th and are ahead of both the SEC and the SEC. There are a lot of games left to play and the season still has to take shape/

I really don't know how this year could have been much worse quite frankly. Really the only thing that has gone well for us is the Nova wins. Providence hasn't beaten anyone they weren't expected to. Creighton lost to GW- and we don't know how bad that will be. Butler was close vs Oklahoma St and LSU but couldn't close the deal. St John's had a bad 1st half vs Wisconsin, then lost to Penn St. Georgetown lost to Northeastern. Marquette had 3 good games early- and lost them all. Xavier lost 3 in a row in Atlantis. DePaul probably quite frankly has played closest to their ability(if not above quite frankly!) and Seton Hall.... enough said there.

We'll see about the power ratings. I'm afraid after tonight's UNC win, the ACC is out of touch. It's Big Ten/ACC/Big 12 in some order than we're fighting the Pac 12(and watch the SEC, they have a ton of good games where they could make some noise). If you're saying your not overall disappointed, wow. I mean 1 ranked team(with no one else really close). Everyone but 1 with 2+ losses. You and some others must have had some seriously low expectations.

5 years ago. Doomsday. Alot has happened since this post. Like 2 national championships, 2 npoy, league always a great amount of bids, etc. You should really stop especially in December.