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• Rank 'Em: What's the pecking order in the Big East? | Player of the Year?
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If this was the final week of competition before football bowl season, any discussion of a fifth-place team in the Big East would include names like Meinke Car Care Bowl, PapaJohns.com Bowl or St. Petersburg Bowl. Good times.

Thankfully it's March, which means Rick Pitino's so-so Cardinals have as much as the better part of a week on one of the biggest stages in the sport to vault themselves into national prominence and championship sleeper status. Notre Dame didn't even want a low-level bowl bid by the time its football season wrapped up, but the Fighting Irish will be playing like crazy for the chance to be at least No. 64 when the NCAA tournament comes out.

What we're saying is the Big East tournament is a pretty good gig. And with games on ESPN 360, it beats the heck out of real work. The big dogs (sorry, UConn) don't play until tomorrow, but which team has the best shot to knock off Syracuse?

Timothy (Morgantown)

Assume for a moment that WVU wins the Big East tourney... If that were to happen, then what else would the Mountaineers need to happen in order to move up to a #1 seed in the Big Dance?

Andy Katz

It's an interesting scenario. But the problem is that save the Villanova win it's not like WVA finished without any hiccups, losing to Pitt and Connecticut. I know the Mountaineers beat Ohio State but they did lose to Purdue. WVA is also the No. 3 seed in the Big East. I don't see it. Full transcript

David (CT)

Joe, here's the question that has captivated the country. If Uconn wins 3 are they back in?

Joe Lunardi

Well, David, it may have captivated one state. I think the rest of the country was tired of seeing UConn in my brackets. Three wins gets them back in the conversation. The rest is not knowable at this point. Full transcript

• Rank 'Em: What does your Power 16 look like? | Joe Lunardi's Monday chat
• More from ESPN.com: March 8 Bracketology | Vote: Bubble Watch

Syracuse must have been on top of the world after finally gaining the No. 1 spot last week. Finally, the Orangemen could enjoy being the top dogs for an extended period of time, like their brethren in Kansas and Kentucky. Now, just to take care of Louisville, and ...

Oh man, that's rough. Fortunately, they only fell to No. 3, so it's not like the voters have abandoned them completely (one guy even kept them as No. 1). They're in the catbird seed for a one-seed, but out of the next few teams, which would get your pick as the final top pick?

“

I wonder what genius kept Syracuse as their #1...

” -- marchphog88

Justin (New Jersey)

Hey Jay, who do you think is gonna be that last number 1 seed after kansas st. and duke losing last night. Joe lunardi has it as kansas state? but they just lost by 17 to kansas!!

Jay Bilas

Duke has more top fifty wins, if that is your cup of tea. I go with the best team. There is still time left, and Duke could prove to be that team, but I still think that Ohio State will sneak into consideration. How come we are so worried about other injuries but nobody cuts the Buckeyes a little slack for being without Evan Turner for six games?! Watch out for the Buckeyes. Full transcript

• Rank 'Em: What does your Powet 16 look like? | Joe Lunardi's Monday chat
• More from ESPN.com: March 1 Bracketology | Vote: Bubble Watch

What do Connecticut, North Carolina, Ohio State, Duke and Illinois have in common? Each was ranked No. 1 in the first poll released in March in the last five seasons, respectively. And unless we missed something, not a one of them won the title in that season (although at least the Tar Heels got one the next season). So there you go; there's the explanation for every team at the top of the polls seemingly pulling a Michael Spinks to get out of the way of the No. 1 ranking. Or maybe it's just college basketball.

Syracuse inherits the top spot in the coaches' poll after Kansas, Kentucky and Purdue all lost over the weekend. But the real question is whichever team you would rank No. 1 right now, which team would you bet the farm on to go all the way in the NCAA tournament?

“

I think all year that SU and KU have proven to be the best two teams in the land. No offense to UK, but the schedule you guys played just doesn't warrant being in the conversation. A lot of talent, but no one to test it against. I believe that will bite them in the NCAA's. I truly hope SU and KU are on opposite sides of the bracket so there is the potential for a 2003 Rematch in the Finals. GO ORANGE #1!

” -- mastroleo80

Chris (Washington, D.C.)

What would Georgetown have to do to secure a 2 seed?

Joe Lunardi

I think that ship has sailed, Chris. Full transcript

• Vote: Will Louisville and Connecticut make the NCAA tournament?
• Rank 'Em: Which teams are your four No. 1 seeds? | Chat: Pat Forde, 3 ET

Geno Auriemma's Connecticut team avoided the closest thing it has faced to an upset challenge in a long time Monday night at Oklahoma, but the Big East's best men's teams haven't been quite as adept at sidestepping that Acme anvil on the road to the NCAA tournament.

Auriemma's Connecticut counterpart, Jim Calhoun, was responsible for the latest when his team knocked off No. 3 Villanova. But how much does that win, along with Louisville's win at Syracuse and Rutgers' win at Georgetown (Pitt knocking off West Virginia seems like a mild upset at best on the former's home court) really change the landscape for the NCAA tournament?

We've already seen that most of the country thinks the Big East is the best conference in the land, and as much as we like to talk about Cinderella, 62 percent of SportsNation thinks finishing at .500 in the nation's best conference makes a team more deserving of the NCAA tournament than winning a mid-major crown.

Rick (Louisville)

How many more games do the Cardinals need to win to feel safe of garnering an at-large bid?

Joe Lunardi

No worse than .500 in your remaining games, conference tournament included.

Greg (Syracuse)

You still have SU as a 1 seed ...good but surprising. Why didn't they slide to a #2?

Joe Lunardi

In terms of overall profile and level of play, my belief is the Committee would still slot Syracuse no worse than No. 4 (based on records to date, of course). Also, if the Louisville loss had occurred a month ago instead of a day, it probably wouldn't be a question. Full transcript

“

The Big east is the best conference. Nobody can dispute that. They are like the SEC in football. Every team is good and they just beat each other up throughout the conference season. I'm a Kentucky fan and I still think Kansas, Kentucky and Syracuse are the best teams in the country. Sorry, Nova. You're close but not quite there yet. After Nova, its anybodys guess.

” -- jay_bilastrator

• Vote: Which teams will win in Villanova at West Virginia and Kansas at Texas?
• Rank 'Em: Where are tonight's teams in your Power 16? | Chat: Joe Lunardi, 3 ET

What does college basketball need to do to get your attention? Hit you in the head with something? West Virginia's fans can take care of that (although as the Charleston (W.V) Daily Mail explains, they'll have to go to great lengths to get around the added security measures the school is implementing for Monday's showdown against Villanova).

But with a mere 56 days until some men's college basketball team celebrates like the Saints did Sunday night, it's most definitely time to throw yourself into the hoops scene. And despite Texas' best efforts to ruin a good thing, Monday's doubleheader on ESPN is a good place to start. Ranked No. 1 as recently as Jan. 18, Texas has lost four of six entering tonight's game at home against top-ranked Kansas. The opening act comes with Villanova traveling to meet West Virginia and its fans, just days after being routed at Georgetown.

Bret (Syracuse)

Jay, you really think Kansas is better than Syracuse? They may look good on paper, but I think direct comparison (they have played three of the sames programs) has SU performing better against the same teams.

Jay Bilas

By a hair, yes. But, there is not a team out there that Syracuse cannot beat. And, I think that teams would have a big problem against the Syracuse zone. Kansas is the most efficient team at both ends. Remember, though, you are talking about my No. 1 and No. 2 teams, and I have said that no team is great. So, either of those teams can win this thing. It is a pretty close call, and reasonable minds can differ. Full transcript

“

A little tidbit for folks to chew on. WVU finished the St. John's game on a 47-15 run in the final 15:44. If that continues, the rest of the nation better beware. The Mountaineers have a lot of good shooters on the team. But they haven't been shooting well much this season. If this team's shooters follow Butler's lead and suddenly get hot, this could end up being a great year to be a WVU fan...

” -- Bit_Cruncher

“

For any 'Nova fans making the trip, I hope you are treated well and can enjoy the atmosphere without fear of injury. Its sad that it has come to this, and WVU fans/students need to clean up their act regardless. The attention deserves to be on the court when these 2 great teams battle it out, not in the stands where people are acting like fools. I expect a close one and I think WVU/'Nova will split games this year with the home teams winning.

” -- WVUeersfan09

“

Aldrich isn't going to be able to push Pittman around but we'll have to see how he handles himself tonight. He hasn't played as well during BigXII competiton. I think he'll get some good looks though because I could see KU doubling up on James while Marcus Morris on him and Cole sliding in to help.

” -- RockChalk0001

“

Probably the matchup of the year down low.. Aldrich vs. Pittman.. Will get really physical.. Hate to say it but the only way Texas wins this is if Pittman destroys Aldrich on the glass (which won't happen) or Damien James erupts

” -- Cubs0810O

• Vote: Will we ever see another undefeated national champion in men's hoops?
• Rank 'Em: Why wait for next week's polls? Rank your post-upset Power 16!
• Chat: Dana O'Neil takes your questions on the post-upset landscape, 11 ET

So about us suggesting yesterday that South Carolina had no chance to beat Kentucky? Oops. Clearly, we should have listened to our old friend Vizzini's advice that you never go up against Devan Downey when an upset of No. 1 is on the line. And anyway, if you want analysis, you go to Andy Katz, Dana O'Neil and Pat Forde. We're just here for our looks.

Kentucky's stunning loss at the hands of the Gamecocks has thrown the race for No. 1 wide open (again). But does it really matter? If this was football, Kansas and Kentucky might be sweating a bit. And Texas could go ahead and book rooms for the Cotton Bowl at this point. Yet through the miracle of a playoff system, they're all still prime championship contenders.

In fact, wherever the two teams end up ranked in next week's polls, are the Jayhawks and Wildcats still the best championship bets out there?

Eric (DE)

Is Eric Bledsoe a legitimate one and done player?

Andy Katz

Can he go after this season? Yes. There is a need for more point guards. Should he go? No. He could use another season and would be the star attraction next season assuming John Wall, Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins bolt, too. Of course Kentucky won't be as talented. But Bledsoe still needs to work on his decision-making and distributing. He can shoot and has the natural speed and lateral quickness down. If Kentucky wins the title, though, I fully expect a mad dash to the draft.

Noah R (Miami,Fl)

Andy what are your thoughts on who takes over the number 1 spot if/when Kentucky loses? Seeing Cuse is ranked number 1 in the RPI and top ten sos and has been very impressive do they get the nod over Kansas and Villanova?

Andy Katz

Syracuse would definitely get the nod over Villanova but the debate with Kansas would be interesting to do. Full Tuesday transcript

• College basketball chats: Andy Katz, 11 ET | Pat Forde, 3 ET
• Rank 'Em: Which four teams are atop your No. 1 seed line at the moment?

Forget about which team is No. 1; there's not much point arguing that unless unbeaten Kentucky stumbles (and don't count on a trip to South Carolina tonight to do it). The interesting race of the moment is one right out of Joe Lunardi's syllabus. Namely, which teams are on track for No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament?

Syracuse staked its claim with a convincing win against Georgetown Monday night, but the fourth-ranked Orange aren't even the Big East's top representatives in the polls. That honor goes instead to No. 3 Villanova, one of four Big East teams ranked in the top 10.

That's good conference prestige -- it might even mean the Big East is better in basketball than the SEC is in football. But could it be bad for Bracketology if Big East heavyweights beat up on each other while teams like Michigan State, Texas and Duke make light work of easier schedules?

By the Numbers (D.C.)

Joe - How is UK the #1 seed overall? Yes, they're undefeated; But I'm a numbers guy -- and I thought you were too. When you look at the numbers (other than win %), there's just no way UK beats out Kansas or Syracuse for the top spot. Check it out: Inside RPI - Syracuse #1; Kansas #2; Kentucky #7SOS - Syracuse #1; Kansas #14; Kentucky #117Top 50 - Syracuse 4-1; Kansas 5-1; Kentucky 2-0Computer ratings also have Syracuse and Kansas at the top, and Kentucky barely scratching the top 10. What gives?

Joe Lunardi

Like it or not, the polls have mattered when it comes to the very top seeds. If the season ended today, there's no doubt in my mind the Committee would install Kentucky as No. 1 overall. And it's my job to replicate what they're going to do.

Ryan (New York, NY)

Assuming both teams maintain themselves over the rest of the Big East, is there any chance that the looser of the Nova vs 'Cuse game could still get a number one seed?

Joe Lunardi

After the Big East got three No. 1 seeds last year, we no better than to disregard any such possibility. Full transcript

It's not a list that Reggie Theus or anyone who gets the coaching gig at USC will have to worry about for the forseeable future, but Andy Katz is talking top 25 in college hoops.

Now that the early-entry candidates for next week's NBA draft are locked in place, Katz has surveyed the landscape and installed Kansas as his team to beat. Here's his top 10, complete with significant representation for the recently beleaguered SEC.

Andy Katz's Top 10
1. Kansas (SN fan group: Rock Chalk Jayhawk)
2. Michigan State (SN fan group: Michigan State Basketball)
3. Texas (SN fan group: Big 12 Twelve Group)
4. Villanova (SN fan group: Villanova Wildcats!)
5. North Carolina (SN fan group: Tar Heel Basketball)
6. Purdue (SN fan group: United States of Boilermakers)
7. Kentucky (SN fan group: Kentucky Basketball Fans)
8. Tennessee (SN fan group: 100% SEC)
9. West Virginia (SN fan group: Mountaineer Nation)
10. Duke (SN fan group: ACC Sports)

• Make your own picks for SportsNation's Summer Top 25