Well, the prelims are done…On with the Show, this is it!
Ahhh yes. The preliminaries are done, “No more rehearsing and nursing the part… We know every part by heart.” 
Time to git to gettin’ the conference slate has arrived. It’s real from here on out!
BigEast Standings:
Big East Conference
| Big East | CONFERENCE | OVERALL | POLLS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W-L | GB | PCT | W-L | PCT | HOME | AWAY | STRK | AP | USA |
| UConn | 0-0 | – | .000 | 10-1 | .909 | 6-0 | 0-1 | W3 | 3-1 | 3-1 |
| Butler | 0-0 | – | .000 | 9-2 | .818 | 7-0 | 0-1 | W6 | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| Cr8n | 0-0 | – | .000 | 9-2 | .818 | 6-0 | 2-0 | W1 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Marquette | 0-0 | – | .000 | 9-2 | .818 | 6-0 | 1-1 | W3 | 3-1 | 4-1 |
| Prov | 0-0 | – | .000 | 9-2 | .818 | 8-0 | 0-1 | W2 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| St. Johns | 0-0 | – | .000 | 7-3 | .700 | 4-1 | 1-0 | W1 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Gtwn | 0-0 | – | .000 | 7-4 | .636 | 6-3 | 1-1 | W2 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Nova | 0-0 | – | .000 | 7-4 | .636 | 4-1 | 0-2 | W1 | 1-0 | 2-0 |
| The Hall | 0-0 | – | .000 | 6-4 | .600 | 6-1 | 0-1 | W1 | 0-2 | 0-1 |
| Xavier | 0-0 | – | .000 | 6-5 | .545 | 5-3 | 0-1 | W2 | 0-2 | 1-2 |
| DePaul | 0-0 | – | .000 | 2-8 | .200 | 2-5 | 0-1 | L1 | 0-2 | 0-1 |
Expected: Top half teams that are where they are expected to be. Huskies, Jays, Warrior/GEs. DePaul is being more DePaul than usual at 2-8. Typically, the Blue Demons have done well in the non-con and waited until the conference slate to fold. Not this season.
Surprises to date, in order of magnitude: #1 9-2 Butler Bulldogs- picked 10th in Big East Coaches Pre-season Poll. Currently 2nd in the standings. Thad Matta and a slew of transfers!       Anonymous Eagle/Brewtown Andy’s summer take. https://www.anonymouseagle.com/2023/7/25/23664454/big-east-mens-basketball-team-preview-butler-bulldogs-matta-thomas-alexander-davis-telfort-screen
Big Surprise #2 – The Wildcats of Radnor! The Cats have struggled in the non-conf slate. Four (4) losses, including 1 at home, 3 of which were against Big 5 opponents. The St Joe’s loss was at the Finn (Finneran Pavilion) no less – where the Cats are unbeatable! They have beaten Maryland, Memphis, Tex Tech, UCLA, and #14 UNC Cheat. The Radnorites currently sit in a tie for 7th place, with Georgetown, after being picked 4th by the coaches preseason poll.
Big surprise #3 – Da Friars. 9-2 Providence was picked 7th in the pre-season. Team is excelling under Coach English to start the season. Currently in a 4-way tie for 2nd (5th alphabetically).
Mild surprises: The Hoyas of Georgetown are playing surprisingly well and are 7-4, in a tie for 7th with Villanova. Easy Ed…making a turnaround? 
The Redmen are holding serve. Currently 6-3 and alone in the 6th position. Da Johnnies were picked 5th in the BE coaches pre-season poll.
The Muskies of Xavier are currently 6-5, sitting alone in the 10th position. Injuries to both starting Bigs prior to the season have derailed the Muskies. I am surprised they are playing as well as they are. Good coaching. 
Git’s Expectations (1st Ten Games):
- Jays go 9-1 Only loss to Xavier in the first ten BE games.
- Butler 8-2 Losses @ Marquette, @ Xavier in the 1st ten games.
- Providence 7-3 Losses to Butler, @ Cr8n, @ UConn
- Marquette 7-3… Losses @ Providence, Creighton, @ Villanova.
- UConn goes 6-4 in the First ten. Losses @ Butler, @ Xavier, Creighton in Storrs, @ Villanova. 
- Villanova goes 6-4 1st ten. Losses @ Cr8n, @ Marquette, @ Johnnies, @ Butler.
- Johnnies hold at 5-5 over the first 10 games. Losses @ UConn, Butler, @ Nova, @ Cr8n, @ Xavier.
Promises to be another excellent gauntlet run in the Big East…as usual. With 4 (or more) losses in the 1st ten games, UConn, Nova, and St Johns are out of contention for the BE RS title. The first half of the conference slate should definitely not lack for excitement. 
Should not only be a war, but potentially a surprising run to the champeenship by the Dawgs or the Friars.
Bluenotes 