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Big East should alter schedule: Calhoun

By Shannon Ryan | Tribune reporter

February 20, 2009

Jim Calhoun coaches first-place Connecticut, but he wouldn't mind seeing some of the other teams in the Big East have a bit of their load lightened by not having to play his team twice.

"I disagree with the 18 games," Calhoun said, referring to the format this season where all 16 teams play each other once and three teams twice. "I want to see every team have a fair chance. I think the 18-game schedule is prohibitive."

If there were openings in the schedule for a few more non-conference games, Calhoun said he thinks Georgetown and Notre Dame would not have struggled so much this season and would be in better position for the NCAA tournament.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino understands the argument but said he doesn't see the format changing.

"It doesn't matter what we think," he said. "The [Big East] signed a contract with ESPN [for game coverage]. It's money driven. But it is very, very difficult on the coaches and the players, and all we're doing is beating up on each other."

Who's hotConnecticut (24-2, 12-2): Even Calhoun was surprised by how much the loss of Jerome Dyson to a knee injury set back the Huskies in their loss to Pitt. "For the first time, I admit to how good he is," he said. "Someone else has to emerge more for us to have a chance." Those somebodies would be guards Craig Austrie, Donnell Beverly and Kemba Walker.

Marquette (22-4, 11-2): After allowing Villanova to score 102 points, Marquette has ratcheted up its defense. The Golden Eagles relied on defense Tuesday to pull away from Seton Hall. "We have to have that carry over through the rest of year because that's what gives us our best chance of success," coach Buzz Williams said.

Pittsburgh (24-2, 11-2): The Panthers have won two Big East tournament championships, in 2003 and 2008, but have not won a Big East regular-season title since coach Jamie Dixon's first season in 2003-04. "Every game is critical," he said. "We talked about the seedings and you just want to be playing as well as you can and that can change very quickly."

Louisville (20-5, 11-2): After scoring only 57 points in a loss to Notre Dame, the Cardinals have rebounded with 90-plus points in back-to-back victories.

West Virginia (18-8, 7-6): Consecutive victories against Villanova and Notre Dame may help the Mountaineers slide into a three-game stretch at Rutgers, Cincinnati and South Florida.

Who's lukewarmCincinnati (17-9, 7-6): Freshman forward Yancy Gates averaged 15.7 ppg during a three-game winning streak. The Bearcats need that kind of production from him if they want to beat Louisville at home on Saturday.

Notre Dame (14-11, 5-8): The Irish have lost seven straight on the road, dating back to a victory Dec. 31 at DePaul. Only two more road games are left in their regular season but one of them is against Connecticut.

Providence (16-10, 8-6): The Friars' balance could help them win at least nine league games for the first time since 2004. Four Providence players average double-digits. Eight players average at least 5.0 ppg.

Syracuse (19-7, 7-6): Center Arinze Onuaku broke out of a slump in a victory Saturday against Georgetown with 15 points and 13 rebounds, after averaging just three points and 4.5 rebounds in the previous four games. He will need to bring that effort Sunday at home against Villanova.

Villanova (21-5, 9-4): The Wildcats need to clamp down on defense after allowing their last four opponents before Rutgers on Thursday to score 88.3 points. Villanova's defense averages 65.6 ppg, so the Wildcats know they can do better.

Who's coldDePaul (8-18, 0-13): The Blue Demons last six losses have come by an average of 24.5 points. During a 45-point loss at Louisville Sunday, coach Jerry Wainwright provided his freshmen with extra minutes. "This is a tough league to learn in the classroom," he said. "We have to really regroup and refocus to put ourselves in a position to win."

Georgetown (14-10, 5-8): The Hoyas will try to get revenge for a 94-82 loss at Marquette on Jan. 31 when they host the Golden Eagles on Saturday.

Rutgers (10-16, 1-12): Sophomore guard Mike Coburn played 32 minutes—the most all season—in a loss to Providence and scored a season-high 14 points. Turning the ball over 15.4 times per game has hurt the Scarlet Knights.

Seton Hall (14-11, 5-8): The Pirates are 3-5 in road games, which is not a good sign considering three of their final five games are away.

St. John's (12-14, 3-10): The Red Storm has scored more than 65 points in four conference games this season.

South Florida (8-17, 3-10): The Bulls' offense is struggling. They have scored more than 62 points only twice in conference play and are coming off a loss to Georgetown in which they shot only 31.9 percent.

sryan@tribune.com