Cats: First four in or first four out?
- Monday, February 15, 2010 5:56 PM
- Written By: Garrett Sabelhaus
After a 60-48 win over UConn this weekend, the Bearcats moved one step closer to their goal of the NCAA tourney. Unfortunately UC is again, right on the bubble to make the field of 65 with very tough games ahead.
First off they have South Florida Tuesday night on the road. USF has one of the best players in the Big East in Dominique Jones but he just happens to be on a not so good team. Either way, with the schedule ahead, this is a must win for UC.
Then UC comes home in another must win against Marquette. It will be tough though and the way UC has finished out the last two seasons (last 2 years I want to say 1-10 combined) it could easily wind up as a loss.
They stay at home for one more game against DePaul. If UC loses to them it will end the season. DePaul is 1-11 in the conference. One would also think UC would want to kill DePaul after what happened at the end of last season. Don't remember? I'll fill you in.
UC had the No. 9 seed in the Big East tourney. DePaul was winless in the conference and had the very last seed. (all big east teams make the conference tournament now) Needless to say, DePaul beat UC who was on the bubble and may have solidified a spot in the NCAA's with a win. Instead, they were upset and chose not to play in any postseason tournament.
You may wonder why these games are all must wins against decent teams like Marquette and South Florida. It's because the final three regular season games of UC's season are against the No. 8, No. 3 and No. 10 teams in the country.
West Virginia (away), Villanova (home) and Georgetown (away) are the final three games. Even with wins against Marquette, USF and DePaul; losses in the final three games of the year will not look good on the resume. I think they have to steal one of those games. Afterall, Mick Cronin has a pretty good record against Bob Huggins and West Virginia since he came to UC.
Plus, they could still get a win in the Big East tourney but they can't afford to be bounced in the first round like last year no matter who they play.
