Big Burden in the BIG EAST

Sporting News, The, Feb 19, 2001

Eddie Griffin, Omar Cook, Caron Butler, Mike Sweetney. Freshmen have put the Big East back on the map--for reasons good and bad. Who would have thought Connecticut, two years after winning it all, and preseason top 10 pick Seton Hall would be on the outside looking in with Selection Sunday just three weeks away? Or that Providence, which endured the dismissal of three players last summer, would be sitting pretty for one of at least five likely NCAA bids for the conference?

Veteran teams at Notre Dame and Syracuse are all but locks, as is Boston College. Georgetown, one of eight league teams being shaped by the efforts of freshmen, is in. That leaves the Huskies, Pirates (see page 22), St. John's and Miami--all of which brought in powerhouse recruiting classes--in precarious positions. (Pittsburgh has three freshmen in its rotation and a record almost identical to Miami's, but the Hurricanes' freshmen are better and seem more capable of finishing with a flourish. Virginia Tech, which has three freshman starters, has no hope for an NCAA bid.)

A look at the Big East's freshman-laden teams that still can make the Big Dance:

Statistics through Sunday's games

Providence

Record: 17-6, 8-3 (2nd place in East Division).

The freshmen: Maris Laksa, 6-9, F; Marcus Douthit, 6-10, F; Christopher Anrin, 6-7, F; Sheiku Kabba, 6-2, G.

What they're doing: Providence, 11-19 last season, endured an ugly offseason fight that led to the expulsion of three players. The freshmen don't start, but they provide versatility and keep the starters flesh. Laksa was a late signee from Latvia who scores 9.9 points per game and him 48 percent of his 3s. Douthit is PCs third-leading rebounder. Kabba, who didn't play in high school last year, can play either guard spot. Anrin, a 6-7 wing, offers perimeter shooting.

Postseason prognosis: PCs strength of schedule (ranked 89th nationally) has not been overly impressive, making the two games left against East-leading Boston College that much more important. If the Friars win one against B.C. and a Big East tourney game or two, the school should have its first NCAA appearance since 1997. --Mike Waters

Connecticut

Record: 15-8, 4-6 (5th place in East).

The freshmen: Caron Butler, 6-7, SF; Taliek Brown, 6-1, PG; Robert Swain, 6-4, G.

What they're doing: Optimism before the season centered largely on Butler and Brown. Butler leads the Huskies in rebounding (7.5 rpg) and steals and ranks second on the team in scoring (15.6 ppg) and assists. But Brown has struggled at the point. That isn't shocking, given the responsibility of the point guard--and the fact he replaced Khalid El-Amin. Brown got off to a bad start at the flee-throw line, but more damaging has been his reluctance to shoot jump shots. Swain, who became eligible December 26, will provide some added perimeter offense.

Postseason prognosis: The NIT seems the most likely destination after a five-game losing streak in January. The NCAA Tournament isn't out of the question, but UConn needs quality wins, especially on the road. --Ken Davis

St. John's

Record: 13-9, 7-4 (3rd place in East).

The freshmen: Omar Cook, 6-1, PG; Willie Shaw, 6-6, SF; Kyle Cuffe, 6-8, PF; Mohammed Diakite, 6-11, C.

What they're doing: Cook, who ranks second in the nation in assists (9.1 apg), is so dominating that the rest of the team's freshmen have been a bit overlooked. Shaw and Cuffe also have made extremely significant contributions. All four have started, including Diakite, who provides size for at least the first few minutes of the game. When the Storm goes to a smaller lineup, Cuffe's long arms and athleticism help on the boards and in shot blocking. Shaw is a slender slasher who needs to become stronger, but he can hit 3s and is second on the team in scoring--behind Cook.

Postseason prognosis: After back-to-back losses at Providence and Notre Dame to begin February, St John's has a mountain to climb. With Duke, Georgetown, Boston College and Syracuse still up, it's up to the freshmen to Cook up something special. It might be in the NIT. --K.D.

Georgetown

Record: 19-4, 6-4 (3rd place in West Division).

The freshmen: Mike Sweetney, 6-8, PF; Gerald Riley, 6-8, G/F.

What they're doing: Sweetney stepped into the Hoyas' starting lineup when Lee Scruggs became academically ineligible for the first semester. Scruggs is back, but Sweetney is entrenched as the starter. He leads the team in scoring (13.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg). Gerald Riley, from Milledgeville, Ga., emerged from a multiplayer battle for the starting small forward spot. Riley is a weak outside shooter, but he is a strong defender who plays with tenacity. Wesley Wilson, a 6-11 first-year player, technically is a sophomore after sitting out last season. He averages 7.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in only 13.7 minutes.

Postseason prognosis: A woeful strength of schedule, currently ranked 121st in the nation, gets tougher, with St. John's, Syracuse and Notre Dame ahead. BUt the younger players have meshed well with the upperclassmen, and the Hoyas are a cinch to get third-year coach Craig Esherick his first NCAA bid. --M.W.