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On opening night, the Big East plays in probably the two best games:

St. John's vs Wisconsin 7pmET - on BTN
Georgetown vs Oregon 7:30pmET - on ESPN

How important do you think it is that the Big East win one or both of these contests? Does a 2-0 start wake some people up to the "new Big East"? Would an 0-2 start bury in terms of perception?

admin wrote:On opening night, the Big East plays in probably the two best games:

St. John's vs Wisconsin 7pmET - on BTN
Georgetown vs Oregon 7:30pmET - on ESPN

How important do you think it is that the Big East win one or both of these contests? Does a 2-0 start wake some people up to the "new Big East"? Would an 0-2 start bury in terms of perception?

Have to believe we are underdogs in both those contests so 1-1 would be great.

admin wrote:On opening night, the Big East plays in probably the two best games:

St. John's vs Wisconsin 7pmET - on BTN
Georgetown vs Oregon 7:30pmET - on ESPN

How important do you think it is that the Big East win one or both of these contests? Does a 2-0 start wake some people up to the "new Big East"? Would an 0-2 start bury in terms of perception?

G-Town definitely could beat Oregon
For ST. John`s it`s a statement game to tell everyone that yeah we have alot of talent and it`s not just hype. A win vs. a ranked B10 team will open peoples eyes. A loss and people will say ahhh all that hype but same old results, just an average team.
We wouldn`t get another chance vs. a top team until Dec. 15th vs Syracuse.

No one game isn`t the season but if we win then the whole week the media in NYC would be talking about how good SJU canb be this year. Very big game for us.
My starting 5 for this game: PG Branch (Jordan will get 20minutes at minimum, just wouldn`t start him in his first coll. game again a defensive team like Wisconsin.) SG Harrison, SG Hooper (want 2 deadly shooters in to start against Wisconsin, if hot then leave him in or put in Pointer at the under 16min timeout) F Sampson and C/PF Sanchez.
Deep bench as well with Pointer, Jordan, Green Obekpa, Gods Gift, Jones and Balamou

Can`t wait I am so pumped

I have Wisconsin and Georgetown winning those 2. I have almost no respect for Oregon, though. Who thought it would be a good idea to play in South Dakota though?

boyonthedock wrote:I have Wisconsin and Georgetown winning those 2. I have almost no respect for Oregon, though. Who thought it would be a good idea to play in South Dakota though?

Why wouldn't you play in South Dakota? It's like the mecca of the Midwest! I bet being from out east you thought it was Chicago or the Twin Cities it's a common misconception.

SJUREDMEN85 wrote:
My starting 5 for this game: PG Branch (Jordan will get 20minutes at minimum, just wouldn`t start him in his first coll. game again a defensive team like Wisconsin.) SG Harrison, SG Hooper

SJU.... My understanding is that Hooper was a 2 star recruit who was lightly recruited out of high school who got no playing time at Harvard before he transferred to St. John's. Before you tell me he can shoot let me remind you that there is a long list of players that can shoot the lights out but are mediocre players because they are liabilities on defense.

Why do you believe that he is a Big East quality player if he couldn't get time playing for Tommy Amaker's Harvard team against non scholarship players?


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There are so many ups and downs throughout the season for each team, it's hard to say 2 games are any more important for the season. That game will be huge for St. John because they need to show they are a top 25 team. Our OOC record is important to measure the strength of the conference, but providence, Xavier and St. John need those wins to get more teams in the dance and in the top 25. SHU, Butler and DePaul need to knock off some wins to help the OOC record.

I'm not down on SJ, but think their chances of beating Wisconsin are slim. The Badgers might be the most consistent team in college basketball: virtually no wasted possessions and no easy baskets for opponents. That's just not a team you want to play in the first game. The location doesn't help either.

Don't forget the Providence - Boston College game. Neither team has been a powerhouse in their respective conferenes but it is still the Big East against the ACC and being the earliest of the games played (6 o clock eastern) the final score will be mentioned about 100 times during the other games.

Georgetown is favored over Oregon based on Kenpom. I'm very confident for a win.

I think Wisconsin beats. St. John's but I really hope St. John's can pull off the upset. Wisconsin is just a terrible match up for St. Johns.

Providence vs. BC will be a huge game for Providence's NCAA chances. I think that's actually the most important game of the night. BC is projected to be a bubble team on the right side of the bubble out of the ACC. Would be a huge scalp for the friars, plus NE rivalry and Providence is playing at home. Must win for the Friars.