Then the unthinkable happened. UNC got dropped by Boston College in their own gym. The Heels, of course, took a tumble from the top spot and no one has been able to get comfy there since. Pitt enjoyed a brief two week stay, their first in school history before getting dropped by Louisville. Wake Forest took their turn next. Until VA Tech came calling only a few days later. Next! Duke's stay lasted equally briefly, as they lost their first game as the big kid on the block in a thriller to...Wake. Wake might have jumped to number one today, but their loss to 0-6 Georgia Tech sealed their fate. Not technically a number one losing...but pretty much a number one losing.
Now it is the Huskies turn. For a team whose biggest Achillies heel over the years has been their focus against lesser opponents, the top spot might not be the ideal perch. After all, starting tonight all opponents are technically lesser.
It is hard to imagine they will take Lousiville lightly though. Perhaps no team in America has atoned for their early sins in the eyes of pollsters more than Pitino's Cards. Losses to Western Kentucky and UNLV seem light years away as Lousiville has begun to fulfill preseason promise, racing to an 8-0 Big East record, and jumping to #5 in today most recent AP Poll.
Is it too early to say tonight's game gives the winners a leg up on a #1 seed? It is hard to fathom the Big East doesn't get at least one #1 seed in the tourney. The winner of the nation's best conference (percieved anyhow) is a mortal lock for a top slot. Assuming the Cards get the win tonight, (QUICK ASIDE - If anyone calls it an "upset" they are a effin' moron. I am so sick of "upsets" that are not upsets. Louisville is the freakin' Vegas favorite.) they would be a full two games ahead of both Pitt and UConn with a head-to-head win to boot. So essentially a three game cushion.
Yes, Marquette is also undefeated. Yes, their backcourt is spectacular; the best in the country. But again, a friendly Maniac reminder to check out their final five games before shining their lollipop too much. Their wins over 'Nova and WVU are impressive; their losses to Dayton and Tennessee are not so much... I'm just not convinced they are a legit threat to win the Big East.
So, a big big game tonight for the Cards and Huskies. Both teams are Final Four talented, both coaches have won it all before (Calhoun twice, Pitino once - Tubby got the other one for him.) and both expect to be there again this year. Tonight's game is a nice glimpse into who might have an easier road to travel five weeks from now.
MANIAC'S PICK: L'Ville 68 UCONN 64
Is Samardo and company ready for Thabeet and the Huskies? Great game tonight - 7pm EST (ESPN)
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