Credit Where Credit Is Due: Georgetown Made Plays

The theme seemed to be pretty evident in the Syracuse locker room following the 13th-ranked Orange’s 64-56 loss to #11 Georgetown at the Carrier Dome Wednesday Night: The Hoyas just made plays down the stretch and executed offensively when needed. SU head coach Jim Boeheim liked his team’s defense for most of the game (about 35 or 36 of the 40 total minutes if you want to take a stab at it) but the breakdowns that the Orange suffered on a handful of possessions were enough to lose the game. Add in the fact that Syracuse shot 25% from the three-point line and one can understand why the Orange fell  for the fifth time in its last seven games. The Secondary Break had the opportunity to attend Jim Boeheim’s post game press conference and talk to some of his players. Check out the audio here:

Jim Boeheim Syracuse-Georgetown Postgame

Brandon Triche Syracuse-Georgetown Postgame

Scoop Jardine Syracuse-Georgetown Postgame

The Orange gets its next shot at a win on Saturday at Louisville for a noon tipoff. Georgetown hosts Marquette on Sunday at 1.

 

Rivalry Week: #13 Syracuse hosts 11th-ranked Georgetown

Crafting A Road Win

While this site predominantly has an Atlantic 10 feel to it, our goal is to cover as much Division I college basketball as possible. This means if the resources are there to attend a national game we will do our best to get there. That said, greetings from the Carrier Dome!

Early on, it looked like Georgetown might open up a big lead from the way Austin Freeman, Jason Clark, and Chris Wright came out gunning from the outside. The Hoya trio combined to hit four of their first seven shots from the outside and made SU’s trademark 2-3 zone look more porous than it normally might. Good ball movement from a smart and well-coached top 25 team will do that. Syracuse found itself able to counter with a big first half from Kris Joseph and timely penetration from the likes of Brandon Triche and Dion Waiters (who made up for a defensive lapse with a floater as time expired).

The second half seesawed back and forth several times and remained your typical Syracuse-Georgetown battle. Two tough, hard-nosed physical teams became separated by Georgetown’s patient ball movement and penetration combined with the ability to capitalize on some of the Orange’s offensive miscues. Late in the game SU (20-5, 7-5 Big East) settled for three-point looks early in the shot clock instead of trying to penetrate. The result became an 8-for-22 second half including just 1-of-7 from the three-point arc. In contrast, Georgetown (19-5, 8-4 Big East) used Head Coach John Thompson III’s Princeton style offense to work the ball around and get open looks from the outside. The Hoyas used said penetration to work the ball inside more and shot 50 percent in the second frame (13-for-26, 3-of-9 from three) and walked away with a 64-56 win.

Here’s a look at some of the second half’s bigger plays that led to momentum in either direction:

10:44:  Joseph comes up with a 3-point play that energizes the Carrier Dome crowd and gives Syracuse a . The building since became louder  and the Orange hadn’t relinquished the lead…..just yet.

The next 5 minutes:  Syracuse leads by as many as 4 but turnovers by Joseph and Jardine keep it right there.

5:00: Nate Lubick’s dunk as a result of penetration through the zone makes it 53-52….it leads to aSyracuse timeout.

4:08 Brandon Triche gets fouled on a drive and knocks down both free throws. Syracuse extends its lead to three at 55-52.  A Hollis Thompson three just 21 seconds later ties the game for the Hoya Destroya.

3:11: Thompson comes up big again. This time it’s a steal and Austin Freeman sneaks ahead of the SU defense (the classic cherry pick for those of you scoring at home) to give Georgetown a 57-55 lead.

2:55: Kris Joseph gets a look at a right arc three a little too early in a possession out of the timeout. It misses right and Georgetown scores on its next two trips subsequently making the advantage six at 61-55. SU will score just one more point over the final 2:07 of regulation.

Under a minute to play:  Scoop Jardine makes only one of two free throws to cut the deficit to five. On the subsequent Georgetown possesion, Chris Wright misses a deep three in the corner but tracks down his own rebound and forces SU to foul.  The result: a 64-56 Hoya win. It marks the 39th time the Hoyas have won in the 85 game history of the series and ends a three-game losing streak against the Orange. As you’d expect, a close to even number in a rivalry that has had more than its fair share of grudge matches.  The best part? The two foes meet again in just 17 days at the Verizon Center.

Get your popcorn ready.

- Matt Martucci

Matt Martucci is the radio voice of Saint Joseph’s University Men’s Basketball. Follow him on twitter here:

http://twitter.com/#!/tooch23

 

Can’t See The Line Can Ya Russ?: Your Holiday College Hoops TV Guide

College Hoops Around The Holidays: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Let me start by saying that this is my favorite time of the year. No matter what holiday you celebrate, it’s certainly nice to get a few days away from work and crowd around the couch with family and shoot the breeze about whatever has been going on in your lives and just flat out enjoy each other’s company. Or maybe it’s the post Christmas dinner food-induced coma that follows on my brother’s couch or my recently turned 3-year-old nephew’s affectionate taps at the base of my skull saying,  ”Wake up Untle Matt, wake up!”. And yes that’s untle, he can’t quite say uncle just yet. But he can dribble a basketball and I may make him sit down and watch some games this holiday season with his dear uncle. Either way, I love the holidays and I love the college basketball that comes with them. Hence the reason for this post. Without further ado, I give you your college hoops TV guide from Christmas to shortly after the New Year:

Saturday December 25th:

Celebrate your good old-fashioned Griswold family Christmas (or if you don’t celebrate Christmas your Saturday just like any other the rest of the year) with a small slate of just one Top-25 game.

#15 Baylor vs Florida State: Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Consolation Game (7 PM ET, ESPN2):

This could prove to be an interesting test for Scott Drew’s ballclub. Baylor (8-2) has dropped two of its last three games and gets a Florida State (10-3) team that battled back from 15 down and nearly upset NCAA runner-up Butler in the Diamond Head semis. If you aren’t a “college hoops head” like the rest of us, this is your chance to meet the Seminoles Chris Singleton.  The 6’9 225 lb junior is a legitimate talent (14.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and has improved his perimeter game (he hit 6 3s in the loss to Butler). Watch him battle it out under the boards with the Bears Quincy Acey (14.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and freshman stud Perry Jones (13.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg).

Washington State (10-1) vs Butler (8-4): Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Championship Game (9:30 PM ET, ESPN2):

If you read any preview for the Pac 10, I’m willing to bet it didn’t predict the Cougars to do what they’re doing. Washington State (10-1) and leading scorer Klay Thompson (21.5 ppg) come in with five straight victories, including a 22-point pounding of Gonzaga and a six-point upset of #15 Baylor. On the other side, Butler has bounced back from losses to top-ranked Duke and Xavier by reeling off four straight wins. This serves as the last chance for the Bulldogs to pick up a convincing non-conference resume builder. An upset of “Wazzu” would give Brad Stevens’ bunch wins over two Pac-10 schools and one ACC opponent going into Horizon League play.

Sunday December 26th:

Richmond (9-3) @ Seton Hall (6-5) (12 PM ET, ESPN3):

I’d hate to be the coach who has to prepare his team for a day-after-Christmas game but that’s what both Chris Mooney and Kevin Willard have on their hands in this one. The Spiders get a chance to prove they can win on the road (just 2-2) in what has been a tough environment for opponents this season. Seton Hall has a 24+ point average margin of victory in its four wins at the Prudential Center but hasn’t played anyone there that’s on Richmond’s level.

Monday December 27th:

#4 UConn (10-0) @ #6 Pittsburgh (12-1) (8:30 PM ET, ESPN):

With one of his deepest teams in years, everyone thought Jamie Dixon’s Panthers were for real. That is, until Tennessee came to the Consol Energy Center for the SEC-Big East Invitational two weeks ago. Pitt didn’t show up to play and Bruce Pearl’s squad has since done its best Houdini impersonation (dropped three of four), making the loss even more of a head scratcher. So uhh who’s this Kemba Walker kid anyway? UConn’s junior guard may be the best player in the nation not named Kyle Singler, Kyrie Irving, or Jared Sullinger. Walker has scored 20 or more points in nine straight games and probably won’t be on campus next year.

Other Games:

Penn State (7-4) @ Indiana (9-4), 6:30 PM ET, UT-Martin (4-8) @ #2 Ohio State (12-0), (8:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network), Morgan State (4-5) @ # 25 Louisville (10-1), (ESPN3) and Northern Illinois (3-6) @ #10 Missouri (11-1) (ESPN3 ), both games at 8 PM ET.

Tuesday December 28th:

#13 Purdue (11-1) @ Michigan (10-2) (2 PM ET, Big Ten Network):

I cringe every time I think about the Boilers Robbie Hummel and his second go-round with a torn right ACL. First, because I know what kind of work ethic that kid has and second because of how much he means to his team. Still, Purdue has people remembering why it made a Sweet 16 run after he went down late last season. JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore softened the blow a bit and this season the addition of a healthy Lewis Jackson and a more confident DJ Byrd make Purdue an easy choice to win the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Michigan hasn’t lost a game at home this season (9-0) but maybe that’s because the Wolverines haven’t played anyone there that’s worthwhile just yet. It wouldn’t surprise me to see John Beilein’s squad get its doors blown off in this one.

#16 Minnesota (11-1) @ Wisconsin (10-2) (7 PM ET, ESPN2):

The second of two big time games in the Big 10 happens on the same night and opening week in the conference no less. Someone needs to explain to me when the season is done how pollsters picked Minnesota to finish sixth in the Big 10. Really?  With the way they play defense, rebound (40.9 per game), and shoot from the outside (34% as a team),  Tubby Smith’s team should finish no worse than third or fourth. Wisconsin is equally as impressive. The Badgers seemingly get the job done every year with players you’ve never heard of.  Seriously, who is this Jon Leuer  (19.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 bpg) character? The 6’10 228 senior forward went from being an Honorable Mention All Big-10 selection to conference POTY candidate and on the Wooden watch list in the blink of an eye. Leuer has just one game this season where he’s scored less than 16 points (10 in a tight loss to UNLV). He’s scary and so is Bo Ryan’s ability to win year after year no matter who has graduated.

UNC (8-4) vs. Rutgers (9-2) (@ Madison Square Garden, 9 PM ET, ESPN2):

After seeing Carolina several times this year, I’m pretty sure most people just said “Preseason 1st team All-American Harrison Barnes= well-deserved 8th ranking”.  12 games into the regular season, Barnes hasn’t exactly lived up to his billing and the Tar Heels lack of frontcourt depth outside of its starting lineup is cause for concern. Someone please put John Henson (6’10, 210 lbs.) on the Kirstie Alley diet (pre-weight watchers) and see what happens!! Rutgers record is a bit deceiving. The Scarlet Knights have played one of the worst non-conference schedules in the country. Still, maybe this game being at the Garden helps Mike Rice’s boys keep it close (for a little while anyway).

Providence (10-2) @ #5 Syracuse (13-0) (7 PM ET, ESPNU):

If you’re not in love with the Orange this year, don’t worry. Neither is Jim Boeheim.  While the hall of famer may not be ready to pick out curtains with his squad just yet, he has admitted that they’re getting better. Syracuse has yet to lose on its “Don’t leave New York until January” tour and made CAA surprise Drexel its latest victim with a 28-point thumping earlier this week. Providence hasn’t had much of a prayer in the all-time series between these two Big East foes and that doesn’t change this year. With a non-conference schedule that ranks 267th in Division I, chances are Kino Davis and the Friars won’t be ready for their first conference tilt.

Other Games: Fairfield (8-3) @ #19 Florida (9-3) (7 PM ET, ESPNU), Long Beach State (5-8) @ UC-Santa Barbara (6-4), 11 PM ET, ESPNU), Coppin State (4-5) @ #14 Kentucky (9-2) , Charleston Southern (6-6) @ Georgia (9-2),  and DePaul (6-6) @ Cincinnati (12-0)-all games 7 PM ET on ESPN3, Pepperdine (5-9) @ Alabama (6-6) (9 PM ET on ESPN3).

Wednesday December 29th

#1 Duke (11-0) @ UNC-Greensboro (0-11) (7 PM ET, ESPNU):

“Hey Griswold, where ya gonna put a tree that big?” You know the response and it’s a good way to describe the Spartans post-Christmas matchup with the Blue Devils. For the five UNC-G fans out there, take comfort in the fact that this game is at home….I guess? I’m not sure where on your holiday gift list you write down 50-point beating at the hands of Mike Krzyzewski and the defending national champions but there must be a space somewhere.

UT-Arlington (5-5) @ #3 Kansas (11-0) (9 PM ET, ESPNU):

Dear Jayhawk fans,

I have only one thing to say. 39 points, 8 of 12 from three point range, 45 percent from the field, and 90 percent from the free the throw line. Those are freshman Josh Selby’s numbers through two games. Jackpot.

Hugs,

The NCAA selection committee

#9 Georgetown (11-1) @ #20 Notre Dame (11-1) (7 PM ET, ESPN2):

Not even sure this one needs a comment. A colossal Big East matchup that serves as the first conference game of the season for both teams. They’re both battle tested and Georgetown is coming off perhaps its most convincing win of the year (17 points @ then #17 Memphis). Notre Dame fans have learned over the last season plus that Abromaitis is contagious. 6’8 235 senior forward Tim Abromaitis (16.1 ppg*, 7.5 rpg) continues to prove that he can be the Irish’s go-to-guy down the stretch. That’s important for a team that doesn’t have a ton of depth.

Other Games: UT-Martin (*4-8) @ #18 Tennessee (8-3) (7 PM ET, ESPN3), St. John’s (7-3) @ West Virginia (8-2) (7 PM ET, ESPN3), Jacksonville St. (2-11) @ South Carolina (7-3) (7 PM ET, ESPN3), #21 Illinois (10-3) @ Iowa (7-5) (9 PM ET, Big 10 Network), Creighton (8-4) @ Illinois State (8-3) (8:05 PM ET, ESPN3), Marquette (9-3) @ Vanderbilt (9-2) (9 PM ET, ESPN2), Mississippi State (8-4) @ St. Mary’s (10-2), Washington State (*10-1) @ UCLA (8-4) (11 PM ET, Fox Sports Net)

Thursday December 30th:

Temple (9-2) @ #8 Villanova (10-1) (7 PM ET, ESPN2):

A short diatribe before actually talking about the game: IT SHOULD BE AT THE PALESTRA!! All Big 5 games should be there. End of story. You shouldn’t mess with tradition and this is no different. That being said, this has the makings of one heck of a basketball game. Temple has ripped off six straight victories after a couple of Thanksgiving weekend losses. Leading scorer Ramone Moore played just five minutes in a 10-point win upset of the Wildcats last season. Villanova will learn Moore’s name and then some this year. The junior is averaging almost 19 points per game in his last five and has the ability to stuff the stat sheet. ‘Nova is everything you’ve come from expect from a Jay Wright coached team. They’re fast, physical, deep, and primed for a much deeper run into the tournament than last year’s second round exit.

Old Dominion (9-2) @ #10 Missouri (11-1)(7 PM ET, ESPN3):

The Monarchs don’t really fit the profile of an NCAA sleeper anymore. Wins over Clemson, Xavier, Richmond, and Dayton have almost assured that Old Dominion doesn’t necessarily need to win the CAA to get into the Big Dance. Think about what a win over Mizzou would mean. It’s not going to be an easy task. Leading scorer Marcus Denmon (16.7 ppg, 47% from 3) highlights a Tiger rotation that is a legit 10-deep. Missouri averages 85 points a game and will push ODU to the limit in this one.

Other Games: Central Arkansas (4-8) @ Oklahoma (6-6) (9 PM ET, ESPN3)

Friday December 31st:

#2 Ohio State (*12-0) @ Indiana (9-4) (6 PM ET, ESPN2):

Handfuls upon handfuls of Division I men’s programs would kill for three double-figure scorers. What if you had five? Welcome to Buckeye head coach Thad Matta’s world. Prize bull Jared Sullinger has averaged a double-double (17.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg) AS A FRESHMAN and has Ohio State fans salivating like Michael Moore in a buffet line.

#16 Minnesota (11-1) @ #12 Michigan State (4 PM ET, Big 10 Network):

A matchup of two of the most physical teams in the Big 10 and it comes before the New Year. I love it!  This game allows Sparty a chance to pick up just its second top 25 win this year. Right now, Tom Izzo’s team is just 1-3 against ranked opponents. They’ll also have had 9 days to prep for this one. Advantage: Spartans.

#14 Kentucky (*9-2) @ #25 Louisville (*10-1) (12 PM ET, CBS):

The Battle for the Bluegrass has an even younger feel than usual this year. Kentucky finds itself led in scoring by three freshmen and four of Louisville’s top seven players are no older than sophomores. One thing that hasn’t changed lies in the amount of scoring both teams do. The Wildcats average 80 points a game and the Cardinals put up 82. If you like defense, stick to the Ivy League. This one should be a battle as always.

College of Charleston (8-4) @ #18 Tennessee (8-3) (2 PM ET, ESPN2):

There is no joy in Mudville because the mighty Casey has…..oh wait, I meant Knoxville and this poem isn’t about baseball. The Volunteers went from beating the 6th-ranked team  in the country (Pitt) to losing to Oakland (MI), Charlotte, and USC in succession. The third loss isn’t bad at all but quite frankly I don’t have enough advil or time to try and explain the first two to you. Bruce Pearl’s bunch has a game before this one (against UT-Martin) and maybe that helps the cause a bit. Still, College of Charleston has upset potential and its four losses this season have come by  a combined 22 points. This isn’t Bobby Cremins’ first rodeo and his team will come ready to play.

Other Games: Northwestern (*9-1) @ #13 Purdue (*11-1) (12 PM ET, ESPN 2), #19 Florida (*9-3) @ Xavier (*7-3) (4 PM ET, ESPN 2), Washington (*8-3) @ UCLA (*8-4) (4 PM ET, Fox Sports Net), South Florida (6-7) @ #4 UConn (10-0) (6 PM ET, ESPNU), Seton Hall (*6-5) @ Cincinnati (*12-0) (8 PM ET, ESPN2), Hawaii (8-3) @ Nevada (3-9) (8:05 PM ET, ESPNU), Oklahoma State (*11-1) @ Gonzaga (*7-5) (10 PM ET, ESPN2), Coppin State (*4-5) @ #22 Texas (10-2) (2 PM ET, ESPN3), North Florida (4-7) @ #11 Kansas St. (10-3) (2 PM ET, ESPN3), and Eastern Kentucky (*5-7) @ Georgia (9-2) (1 PM ET, ESPN3).

Saturday January 1st:

Happy 2011!

#20 Notre Dame (*11-1) @ #5 Syracuse (*13-0) (3:30 PM ET, ESPNU):

Here’s where we find out just how for real Jim Boeheim’s team is. The Orange still doesn’t have to leave New York state but at least the Fighting Irish are in the house. Key reserve CJ Fair should be healthy from a sprained ankle at this point and it could bode well for the ‘Cuse.

West Virginia (*8-2) @ Marquette (*9-3) (11 AM ET, ESPN2):

Recover from your New Year’s Eve hangover the right way with a heavy dose of Huggy Bear. Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers return a large portion of the nucleus that brought them to the Final Four last year.  Senior Casey Mitchell has gone from a role player a season ago to the team’s top scorer this time around.  WVU’s two losses (Minnesota in the Puerto Rico Tipoff and  at Miami) were games that it could have/should have won and going on the road to Milwaukee should serve as a nice measuring stick for its progress since.

Other Games: Boston College (*10-2) @ South Carolina (*7-3) (5:30 PM ET, ESPNU), New Mexico (*10-2) @ Dayton (*10-3) (2 PM ET, CBS-C), Wichita State (*9-2) @ Bradley (*6-5) (7:30 PM ET, ESPNU), DePaul (*6-6) @ #9 Georgetown (*11-1) (1 PM ET, ESPN 3), Western Kentucky (*5-7) @ Arkansas St. (*4-8) (8 PM ET, ESPN3), St. John’s (*7-3) @ Providence (*11-2) (7 PM ET, ESPN3)

Sunday January 2nd:

Wisconsin (*10-2) @ #21 Illinois (*10-3) (6 PM ET, Big 10 Network):

Bruce Weber’s team gets its first big conference test and a chance to rebound from two straight losses. The Illini should beat Iowa earlier in the week as long as they aren’t looking ahead to this one. Senior guard Demetri McCamey (15.6 ppg, 49% from three-point range) has 12 double-figure games this season but hasn’t gone off on the big stage just yet. This could be the perfect opportunity.

Miami (*10-3) @ #1 Duke (*11-0) (7:45 PM ET, Fox Sports Net):

A Blue Devil team chock full of talent has done just fine without its golden ticket Kyrie Irving. The All-America candidate has missed the last three games after a freak toe injury in a rematch with NCAA runner-up Butler. The Blue Devils average margin of victory in those three: almost 33 points. Wooden Award favorite Kyle Singer is the team’s THIRD leading scorer but you can bet he’ll be counted on more as the Dukies get deeper into conference play especially if Irving can’t come back at some point.

Other Games: Rutgers (*9-2) @ #8 Villanova (*10-1) (1 PM ET, ESPNU), Miami Ohio (*5-7) @ #3 Kansas (*11-0) (6 PM ET, ESPNU), Gonzaga (*7-5) @ Wake Forest (*6-6) (1 PM ET, Fox Sports Net), Texas Southern (*2-8) @ #15 Baylor (*8-2) (3:30 pm ET, ESPN3), LSU @ Virginia (5:30 PM ET, Fox Sports Net),  Texas A&M CC (*4-7) @ Texas Tech (*6-6) (3 PM ET, ESPN3), Penn State (*7-4) @ Michigan (*10-2) (4 PM ET, Big 10 Network), Arizona (*11-2) @ Oregon State (*5-6) (10 PM ET, Fox Sports Net)

This should take care of your craving for college hoops and result in plenty of  holiday family dysfunction for the next week or so. Wives don’t hate me. Husbands, enjoy! As cousin Eddie would say, it’s the gift that keeps on giving Clark! Happy Holidays from all of us at the Secondary Break! May your New Year be everything you’ve been dreaming of and then some. Cheers!

-Matt Martucci

 

The Atlantic 10: Where Will You Be Come March?

Saint Joseph's is young and probably another year or so away from making some serious conference noise.

As I sat in my hotel room in Omaha yesterday (just a few hours removed from watching Saint Louis have its character built by top-ranked Duke), I had a thought and it had nothing to do with the 84-47 result I had just seen on CBS. It’s more of a feeling on the scope of the Atlantic 10 Conference as a whole. Maybe it’s not quite as strong as we thought? Or maybe some of the mid-majors (I despise that term) are just getting better. It seems to me it’s more the former rather than the latter.

At the beginning of the non-conference schedule, the thought was (at least among coaches/media members who cover the A-10) that this could be a year where three and even potentially four NCAA bids might be handed out. After just a month of basketball that has seen some of the league’s elite suffer some questionable losses, I’m fairly confident that those tables have turned.

Let’s take a look at each team in the conference on a case-by-case basis and then you can decide if you agree.

1. Richmond (8-2): As predicted, the Spiders have shown why they figure to go deep in Atlantic City come early March. A record that includes wins over Purdue (ranked 8th at the time), at Arizona State, and just recently against VCU, could be even better if not for some tough road losses at Old Dominion and Iona (in double OT). The Monarchs figure to win the CAA and make a push for an upset bid in the tournament and the Gaels have now won seven in a row since starting the year 0-3. The fact that Richmond has been able to bounce back both times shows the resiliency of this team. Reigning A-10 Player of the Year Kevin Anderson has made a good case for a second term.

2. Temple (7-2): Speaking of resiliency, Fran Dunphy’s ballclub fits the bill here too. The Owls have ripped off four wins in a row after a tough Thanksgiving weekend at the Old Spice Classic, including an upset of then No. 9 Georgetown on national TV. Ramone Moore is starting to introduce himself to teams outside the conference and his defense is much improved. Look for this to be the year that the Owls end three straight seasons of NCAA first round exits.

3. Xavier (6-2): A Sweet 16 team a year ago, the Musketeers entered the year with similar expectations. Despite losing leading scorer and human highlight reel Jordan Crawford early to the NBA and leading rebounder Jason Love to graduation, the Muskies returned three starters and all of their bench production from a year ago. Outside threat Brad Redford tore his ACL prior to the season and they could have used him in a road loss against Miami (Oh.). Chris Mack’s squad shot just 18 percent from three that night in a 14-point loss. Terrell Holloway has been a terrific scorer and a recent win against NCAA runner-up Butler makes me think that Xavier could be primed for another really good year. We’ll know more in an upcoming five-game stretch that includes the likes of Wake Forest, Gonzaga, Florida and Cincinnati.

4. Dayton (6-3): Here’s where the league’s dropoff starts. The defending NIT champion Flyers have been disappointing to say the least. Yes, they have a win over an SEC school (78-71 over Ole Miss back on Nov. 20) but that’s about it. A 34-point pasting at the hands of Cincinnati proved to be troubling and then came the East Tennessee State matchup. The Flyers shot just 27 percent in the second half and saw a 40-game non-conference home winning streak come to an end. I’m aware that ETSU has been a tournament team in the past but that’s a loss that just shouldn’t happen. As evidenced by the streak, virtually no one wins at the UD arena. No one except the Buccaneers apparently. Leading scorer Chris Wright’s numbers haven’t been what you’d expect of a senior A-10 Player of the Year candidate and the Flyers miss the depth at guard that graduating seniors Mickey Perry, Rob Lowery and London Warren all provided (even if they were a little turnover happy at times).

5. Massachusetts (7-3): After starting the season with seven straight wins, Derek Kellogg’s Minutemen have come back to earth. Dropping its last three games, UMass has had to rely a little too much on leading scorer Anthony Gurley for my liking. On nights when he doesn’t get any support (or the team isn’t hitting shots as a whole), UMass will lose games. A home loss to Maine serves as a perfect example. Take a look at the box score and you’ll see what I mean.

6. St. Bonaventure (5-3): Oops, the Bonnies did it again. They played with your heart. You thought they were good. I didn’t mean to bring Britney Spears into this but this doesn’t seem to be the first time that this has happened with Mark Schmidt’s bunch. Bonaventure has only beaten teams in New York state and a branch of a larger university (Arkansas-Little Rock, this means you). The most disappointing loss came at home against Niagara, in which 21 Bonnie turnovers resulted in a recipe for disaster. Andrew Nicholson has gotten better and remains an NBA talent, but as long as losses like the one to the Purple Eagles continue to happen he’ll be the only name you’ll hear about from this team.

7. La Salle (6-4): Kudos to head coach Dr. John Gianinni for stocking the Explorers roster full of talent. Aaric Murray has potential lottery pick written all over him and Tyreek Duren has future all-league potential. Unfortunately, all the talent hasn’t translated into any marquee wins yet. La Salle’s four losses have come by a total of 30 points (three to top-25 opponents and the other one in double-OT to an Oklahoma State team that will be ranked at some point this season). This may seem ludicrous but the Explorers may not know how to win the big game just yet. Their next big test doesn’t come until Jan. 8 when they host Richmond.

8. Rhode Island (6-4): The Rams seem to have changed things up a bit. Usually their collapse happens much later in the season. All kidding aside, three of URI’s four losses were games they could have won. Yes, Providence is off to a ridiculous start and Quinnipiac was a unanimous pick to win the Northeast Conference. Both are fair points. Still, the way to distinguish your resume from all the others on the selection committee’s desk is to win on the road early, often, and out of conference. The Rams get another chance after the new year, visiting No. 24 Florida on Jan. 3.

9. Duquesne (4-4): Five double-figure scorers and another player who averages over nine points a game usually means a better start. Of course, I guess that changes when you commit 21 turnovers in one of your losses (Robert Morris) and allow opponents in your other three to shoot at least 45 percent or better from the field (45 percent to WVU, 48 to Pitt and almost 55 to Penn State). The Dukes never have a problem scoring the basketball (they average 83 points per game). It’s just that whole defense part that gets in the way for Ron Everhart’s guys. As I wrote this, they were up nine on West Virginia and proceeded to let the Mountaineers shoot 55 percent in the second half en route to a three-point loss.

10. Fordham (5-4): Raise your hand if you thought the Rams would have 5 wins this early in the season. OK, now raise your hand if you thought one of those wins would be against a Big East program. Is there anyone in this classroom? The Rams rallied from 21 down to upset St. John’s at Rose Hill Gymnasium on Saturday. Consider that Fordham had won just two games at this point last season (and wouldn’t win any more for that matter) and new head coach Tom Pecora has already made this season a success. I’m interested to see what the Rams bring to the conference table.

11. Saint Louis (3-4): It’s a shame that you can’t put an asterisk next to a team’s season. Sexual assault allegations against center Willie Reed and All-Conference point guard Kwamain Mitchell left them both kicked out of school and the Billikens up a creek without a paddle and two of their top scorers. All this for a team that was picked in the top six of the league before the allegations came out. As Ian Nolan points out in his article, freshman Mike McCall has been a nice addition but unfortunately he’s just not Mitchell. Nor should we expect him to be.

12. Charlotte (4-6): Alan Major probably envisioned his first year as an A-10 head coach going a bit differently. The 49ers dropped two of their first three games to start the year and have bowed out in four of their last six. The indefinite suspension of leading scorer Shamari Spears puts more weight on sophomore Chris Braswell’s shoulders and that’s too much of a burden on a team that doesn’t go more than seven deep in Spear’s absence.

13. George Washington (3-5): You can attribute a lot of the Colonials struggles to the loss of leading scorer Lasan Kromah. The sophomore guard injured his left ankle before the start of the season and GW has felt his absence immensely. I’m just not sure that the loss of Kromah is enough to justify losing to both Hampton and UNC-Wilmington at home. It’s going to be a long year in our nation’s capital for Karl Hobbs and company.

14. Saint Joseph’s (3-7): A recruiting class ranked 25th by MaxPreps had fans buzzing on Hawk Hill and the promise still remains. Alas, a five game in 11 day stretch (two top-25 opponents included) tested the Hawks youth and inexperience. Phil Martelli’s team fought hard each time but has now lost five straight games. Guard Carl Jones has shown tremendous growth and will likely be an All-Conference selection come season’s end. The Hawks will get better every game but with eight players that are either freshmen or sophomores, it’s tough to tell how many more wins that means.

Based on what I’ve seen thus far and those I’ve talked to at this point, it seems to be Richmond, Temple and everyone else.  The middle of the pack in the A-10 hasn’t lived up to expectations in terms of what each team has done in its non-conference schedule. When March comes around and the league’s number of bids into the field of 68 and even the NIT both end up being less than we expected, I don’t think we’ll have much to scratch our heads about.

-Matt Martucci