Big East Schedule Released

Thanks to Syracuse Post-Standard Mike Waters for the information. The 2007-2008 Big East Conference basketball schedule was released today. Boeheim usually complains about the Saturday and Monday games because they are close together. This situation only occurs twice during the Big East portion of the schedule.

Of course this year the conference slate has been expanded to 18 games, including three home-road series with Georgetown, Villanova, and South Florida. The Big East is always tough and no game is ever easy, but at least SU isn't playing Connecticut or Pittsburgh twice this year. With all the scheduling at the mercy of televison executives, SU faired pretty well.


Here are five must-watch games at the Carrier Dome for this upcoming season:


Villanova - After an incredible freshman year, guard Scottie Reynolds will look to showcase his talents at the Carrier Dome. Last year, Reynolds was named Big East Rookie of the Year, only the second Wildcat to receive that honor (Tim Thomas is the other). Last year the two teams split the two games against each other, both winning their home games. Reynolds had 14 points (4-15 FG) in the loss but scored 22 points (6-19 FG) in a tight 78-75 victory.



Connecticut - Probably the most hated rival of the Orange in recent years, both teams had somewhat of a down season. The Huskies failed to make the NCAA like the Orange, but they also did not qualify for the NIT. Don't get used to that though. A young team last season meant growing pains but this year that could translate into success on the court. After finally playinga full season of basketball, point guard A.J. Price looks to lead the Huskies along with undersized but talented big man Jeff Adrien. SU and UConn split their two meetings, each winning on their home court. This could be one of the most athletic and exciting games of the season.


Georgetown - Hoya Paranoia is in full effect after Georgetown won the Big East Tournament and advanced all the way to the Final Four. Only one half of the big man duo returns, seven-footer Roy Hibbert. His teammate Jeff Green opted to stay in the NBA Drafy and was selected 5th overall by the Boston Celtics, then traded to Seattle. Green was the Big East Player of the Year and averaged 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.2 asssists. The rivalry between the Orange and Hoyas had been resparked by Georgetown's recent success. In the last 20 games Georgetown played leading up to the Final Four, they only lost once. That was to the Orange in a game where SU dominated the Hoyas, leading by as many as 20 points in a 72-58 triumph. Of course everyone thought that win put SU in the tournament. A lot will be riding on this meeting.



Pittsburgh - The Panthers have been a thorn in the side of the Orange over the last few years. Jaime Dixon and his predecessor Ben Howland turned this team into one of the elite programs not only in the Big East, but of the nation. The aggressive and intense defensive style of Pittsburgh always makes this a great game to watch. Well, maybe not to watch scoring wise. Remember that game when the final score was 42-39 in an overtime win for the Orange. Make that a fun defensive battle, which is a good test to see how the young Orange players react as the season closes out with the postseason (NCAA Tournament) hopefully on the horizon.


Marquettee - Senior day at the Dome, although there is only one senior on the team (Josh Wright). And there is a big question mark next to Wright's name entering the season. As a starter last year, Wright only showed flashes of brilliance with his quickness. But that quickness is what holds him back from becoming the player he could be. Wright plays to fast for his own good. He tries to make the flashy pass, causing him to lose control and turn the ball over. Freshman Jonny Flynn could be the starter, but hopefully Wright will contribute throughout the season. It should be a good matchup of the guards, as the Golden Eagles boast Jerel McNeil and star Dominique James.




Here is the complete schedule for the 2007-2008 season:

Sun., Nov. 4, College of St. Rose, 2 p.m. (exhibition)

Wed., Nov. 7, LeMoyne, 7 p.m. (exhibition)

Mon., Nov. 12, NIT vs. Siena, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Tue., Nov. 13 vs. St. Joseph's/Fairleigh Dickinson, TBA

Fri., Nov. 16, Fordham, 7 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 28, Massachusetts, 7 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 1, Tulane, 7 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 5, at Virginia, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Sat., Dec. 8, Rhode Island, 7 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 15, East Tennessee State, 7 p.m.

Tue., Dec. 18, Colgate, 7 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 22, Cornell, 7 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 30, Northeastern, 1 p.m.

Wed., Jan. 2, St. John's, TBA

Sat., Jan. 5, South Florida, TBA

Wed., Jan. 9, at Cincinnati, TBA

Sun., Jan. 13, at West Virginia, TBA

Wed., Jan. 16, Rutgers, TBA

Sat., Jan. 19, Villanova, Noon (ESPN)

Mon., Jan. 21, at Georgetown, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Sun., Jan. 27, Providence, TBA

Wed., Jan. 30, at DePaul, TBA

Sat., Feb. 2, at Villanova, Noon (ESPN)

Wed., Feb. 6, Connecticut, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Wed., Feb. 13, at South Florida, TBA

Sat., Feb. 16, Georgetown, Noon (ESPN)

Mon., Feb. 18, at Louisville, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Sun., Feb. 24, at Notre Dame, 2 p.m. (CBS)

Sat., March 1, Pittsburgh, Noon (ESPN)

Wed., March 5, at Seton Hall, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Sat., March 8, Marquette, 2 p.m. (ESPN)

News About SU Opponents

This Saturday the Syracuse Orange visit the pink locker room of the Iowa Hawkeyes. But there has been some interesting news about Iowa, and it's not related to the football field.

About 20 players on the Hawkeye football team have pictures showing them either drinking or posing with open containers of alcohol. Other pictures reveal players holding bottles and flashing large amounts of cash. All these pictures were posted on the player's Facebook profiles and viewable to the Iowa University community.

Not only were the pictures disturbing, so were the messages that the players posted. One player wrote, "She can't say no if her mouth is taped shut." Another said, "If you send me back to jail, I'll rape your family." One of the more despicable pictures have two players standing in front of a person vomiting.

Two Iowa receivers, Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman were arrested on charges of unauthorized use of credit cards where they charged more than $2,000 worth of merchandise. Both have been suspended indefinitely by head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Syracuse plays against the Hawkeyes this Saturday 8:00 p.m. The game will be televised on the new Big Ten Network. Good luck trying to find it, as I believe it is only provided by DirecTV.

Other Orange football news includes a report that Syracuse is in the midst of serious talks with Hawaii. The topic of conversation is about a possible match up on the gridiron in 2008. Hawaii has had trouble scheduling a team to come play them in Hawaii. SU had an opportunity this year but passed as there is a conflict of interest.

Hawaii's quarterback, all-America and Heisman Trophy candidate Colt Brennan, was very close to becoming a member of the Orange football squad. But when his records were checked, a past sexual assault case prevented his enrollment at the university. Playing against him would be quite awkward and he would be looking for revenge as he tries to break the record for most touchdown passes.

I'm sure the Orange are glad to avoid that situation with Brennan. The game that is being negotiated is scheduled for December 6, 2008. What a great opportunity for fans in central New York to escape the cold of winter and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian sunshine. But as Coach Jim Boeheim says, "Hawaii is just like Syracuse in the summer."