BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: Syracuse @ Villanova

March 3, 2007



This is an interesting game. However, the emotional atmopshere that is sure to grip Villanova as they honor seniors Curtis Sumpter, Mike Nardi and Will Sheridan will create quite an electric atmosphere that Villanova will have an extra bounce or two in their step. Syracuse received a similar boost on Monday night when they faced Georgetown and caught the Hoyas coming off a big high with their win over Pittsburgh. Look for Villanova to take advantage of a similar situation when meeting the Orange after thier huge win over Georgetown.

It is only natural for Syracuse to have a letdown in this game. It was quite a scene in the Carrier Dome on Monday night and the Orange definitely should be confident in their NCAA prospects. Villanova on the other hand probably feels a little vulnerable with their NCAA chances. A loss drops them to 8-8 and likely behind West Virginia and DePaul in the Big East standings, two teams that beat the Wildcats earlier this season who are also on the NCAA bubble. DePaul owns a home win over Kansas, West Virginia beat UCLA and Villanova beat Texas, so each has a signature OOC win. Villanova played the RPI game right, but will the committee take an 8-8 Big East team over a pair of 9-7 teams that beat the 8-8 team? I don't think Villanova wants to find out, so they will have to go out and win! Their road win over Georgetown and a 9-7 conference mark should be enough for them.

NBE Blogger Prediction: Villanova 71 Syracuse 65