Two of the top four teams have played and those two have lost. Georgetown outclassed Syracuse, which was good offensively and not very good defensively. Marquette pretty much did what Marquette does and made some 3s, dove all over the place, guarded tight and refused to go away against Villanova. The Golden Eagles are exceedingly comfortable in close games. They’ve played 15 games this year decided by four points or fewer. 

I’m not sure it means anything with a league as competitive as this, but in the middle of the second Big East Tournament with the two-round bye, the recipient of that longer break is 2-4. Pitt and WVU look to address that tonight.

And if you’re into things like this, from a distance this resembles the 76 Classic. All the top teams and teams you might think are bad matchups are falling off and WVU is sitting backand admiring the carnage. I’m sure the two-round bye trouble is being pointed out to the players. 

Speaking with who I’ve spoken to today, WVU realizes the tournament is more wide open now than it was before — rarely is there a “favorite” here — but it doesn’t really mean much to the team. The Mountaineers came to win and would have to beat three pretty good teams to do so. By now, it doesn’t matter who.

What’s interesting is the NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed is now in play. Let’s assume that no matter what happens now following the Syracuse loss, Kansas and Kentuck are locks for No. 1 seeds. Say Duke reaches the ACC final and/or wins. The Blue Devils are probably a third. Syracuse, with back-to-back losses and the status of center Arinze Onuaku (knee) in question, has to be a little worried.

If WVU wins here, the Mountaineers will have a very good argument for the final No. 1 seed. If Ohio State and Purdue play for the Big Ten title, they have an argument. If WVU wins and Ohio State or Purdue wins, Syracuse could have a problem.