Big East Breakdown: Postseason Breakout Chances, Emerging St. John's, Power Rankings | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Friday / March 29.
  • Big East Breakdown: Postseason Breakout Chances, Emerging St. John’s, Power Rankings

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    Four Big East teams are ranked in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll with Villanova leading the way at No. 6, followed by No. 7 Xavier, No. 12 Providence and No. 23 Butler.

    The Big East ranks fourth in RPI by conference behind the Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC, according to RealTimeRPI.com.

    Still, the league’s coaches are well aware that they will be judged by what happens in March.

    Until the new-look league advances at least one team — if not more — to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, it may not gain the credibility it seeks across the nation.

    “I think we’re aware that that’s out there in this relatively new-league dynamic of the Big East,” Butler coach Chris Holtmann said on The 4 Quarters Podcast. “Perception is reality to some degree and that’s what we’re faced with.

    “I think it’s only a matter of time before we have multiple teams that advance deep into the NCAA Tournament. Obviously, we won a game last year, Georgetown won a game, Villanova won a game and then Xavier won two games. So it’s only a matter of time. I know we had six teams in last year. If you get enough quality teams in, it’s only a matter of time before we advance.There’s no question that’s going to happen, and I think this could certainly be the year.”

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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