The end of January and beginning of February is an interesting time in college basketball. Other than the Superbowl, the NFL season is pretty much over and peoples’ interest is starting to shift over to the hardwood. It’s also the midway point through conference schedule and teams are really starting to show their true colors. Right now is a good time to sit back and gauge what you see in your favorite teams.

So what about Marquette? They’re in the middle of the pack in the Big East with a 13-8 (4-5) record. At first glance, you may look at this win/ loss ratio as NIT worthy. But this is the BIG EAST, by far  the best conference in college basketball. Of those 9 games played in conference, six of them have been against top 20 teams. Thats a pretty damn hard schedule. Its not as if all those games have been losses either; the Golden Eagles took down an elite Georgetown team on January 6th and recently went out to Hartford, CT and beat the Huskies. And the games MU has lost… A buzzer beater at West Virginia, two games to No. 2 Villanova by a total of 4 points, a close game (76-71) at the Carrier Dome to the fifth ranked Syracuse Orange, and MU’s worst performance of the season in Chicago in a another buzzer beater loss to lowly DePaul.

Next question, whats the road ahead look like for MU? Well it’s a lot easier than the one they’ve traveled thus far. Of the nine conference games left, they have only one against a ranked team (No. 17 Pitt). Thats not to say it’s the easiest schedule, they still have to face the Notre Dames, Louisvilles, and Cincinnatis of the world. But the rest of the games are definitely should-wins. If the Marquette takes care of business in the final month plus of the regular season and makes a splash in the always trilling Big East tourney, they will be looking at a top 25 ranking and a definite spot in the big dance. If this happens, they’ll be looking back to the time when they were 3-5 in conference, were slipping a little bit, and were saved by monster performances by their big three (Lazar Haywood, Jimmy Butler, and Darius Johnson-Odom) in a tough win vs UConn as the turning point of the season.

Lazar and Jimmy have to bring it every night

The lack of any legit big man has been a problem that Marquette seems to be forced to deal with every year, but when they get good performances out of their big three they can compete with anyone in the country. If Marquette plays their cards right they’ll be a tough out in the tournament, no matter who they play.

Yes, the Gophers and Badgers are both in the Big Ten. But we can’t ignore THE best conference in college basketball.  I may be buying into the ESPN bias of showing like eight games a week on their family of networks, but this IS the best conference in the nation.

The Big East should be showcased, and I have no problem with that.  Also, Marquette (in Milwaukee) does fall into the category of WiscoSota sports, but I don’t drink their milkshake. It tastes like shit. Either way, all teams and players in the Big East (at least the good ones) will get their due in this season preview.

Player of the Year

Luke Harangody F/C Notre Dame- The most unsexy pick and player in college basketball.  He will most likely get his 25 and 12 a night.  I would think defenses would key on him, but Notre Dame has done a good job of surrounding this Big Man with shooters and heady players.  I see him having another big year while Notre Dame will be fighting for an NCAA tourney bid.

Considerations would also have to go to Scottie Reynolds from Villanova, Desean Butler from West Virginia, Lazar Hayward from Marquette ( look for a big year without any other experienced scorers on the team)  and Greg Monroe from Georgetown.

Czar Lazar!

Newcomer of the Year (transfer or frosh)

Lance Stephenson G/F Cincinnati- This kid is not afraid to shoot the ball and he does…alot.  I watched him play in High School, and he basically was jacking shots from any and everywhere. He was not very efficient either, which is certainly not a good combo.

BUT, Stephenson and Devin Ebanks from West Virginia are probably the most athletic players in the Big East.  Lance uses his body well taking it to the rack and absorbing contact while finishing.  It will be interesting to see if he gets the calls early on in the season.  Another player to keep an eye on is freshman Dominic Cheek from Villanova.

Coach of the Year

Bob Huggins (Thuggins) West Virginia-  Its really a toss-up for me between Thuggins and Jay Wright from Villanova.  Both coaches have solid squads, and whoever finishes with the most wins should get Coach of the Year.  Also, if Rick Pitino can work some magic in Louisville, then he should be in the conversation as well.

The “Thuggins” reference comes from the fact that he recruits players who have questionable backgrounds, and at Cincinnati he had a 28% graduation rate. Not every player makes it to the NBA, Thuggins. Two notable NBAers that Thuggins has recruited are Kenyon Martin and Michael Beasley (was recruited by Thuggins but never played for him).

Bob Thuggin' it up

Most Imporoved Player

Kemba Walker G from Connectcuit-  This award could go to a number of different players because the league lost a lot of talented upperclassmen last year. These new guys will have their chance to shine.  The Huskies are looking to replace much of their team from last year and Kemba is the perfect guy to step up.

Kemba is a lightning-quick point guard who can get to the rack and hit the open J.  Last year he came off the bench in a small role, but now he has the reins to the team and it will be interesting if he can lead them.  Also, I feel like Mike Rosario from Rutgers will improve greatly in his all-around game.

Projected Finish

1. West Virginia-Devin Ebanks and Desean Butler will lead this team.
2. Villanova- When you run four guards and one Big, you need quality depth and they have that.
3. Louisville- Pitino will have this team vying for a Big East title by the end of the year.
4. UCONN-Stanley Robinson needs to take his game to the next level.
5. Syracuse- Love the way they play the 2-3 zone.
6. Georgetown- Greg Monroe running the high post should create lanes in the Princeton offense.
7. Notre Dame- Need shooters to make shots to complement Harangody.
8. Cincinnati- Deonta Vaughn looks to improve on his 15.3 ppg last year.  Look for nearly 20 this year.
9. Seton Hall- Jeremy Hazell finished second in the league in scoring at 22.3 a clip.
10. Pitt- Oh how the mighty have fallen. Watch Ashton Gibbs.
11. Rutgers- Mike Rosario is going to take the game by storm.
12. St. John’s- They have Crackbaby (Anthony) Mason Jr.
13. Marquette- Lazar Hayward will have to play out of his mind to help this team win.
14. Providence- Only have four returning players.
15. South Florida- I don’t know what to tell you…they are bad.
16. DePaul- went 0-18 last year.  They’re going to get one this year…right?

I think the Big East will have at least seven teams make The Dance this year. Eight teams is not out of the question, either. The Big East is, after all, THE best conference in college basketball.