2009-2010 Big East Opponents Released

Posted by Chris on July 02, 2009
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As the summer rapidly progresses along, we draw closer and closer to the college basketball season.  Today, Villanova learned their Big East home and away opponents for the upcoming season.  Also of note, Villanova will play West Virginia, Marquette, and Georgetown twice, both home and away. 

Without a doubt, Villanova has one of the toughest schedules in the Big East, and Andy Katz agrees with this assessment.  He says,

Already you can see Villanova will have the toughest slate in the Big East if the predictions hold up.

Additionally, Katz breaks down some of the early tournaments, such as the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, which Villanova will participate in.  Another ESPN writer, Pat Forde, ranked his most recent top ten rivalries.  Villanova-Pittsburgh comes in at #5 on Forde’s list.  Forde, on why the rivalry is hot now,

If you saw that memorable East Regional final last spring, you know why. Scottie Reynolds snatched away Pitt’s first Final Four in eons with a last-second drive, giving Nova a leg up in the Pennsylvania hoops hierarchy. It also gives the Wildcats a leg up in what many people believe will be the Big East rivalry of the next decade as Jay Wright and Jamie Dixon turn down other jobs and become even more entrenched. Nova could be the favorite to win the league this season, with Reynolds pulling out of the draft and returning to potentially haunt Pitt again. And even after losing the guts of a great team, you cannot discount the perennially competitive Panthers.

The rivalry will continue to heat up as the Wildcats have to travel to Pittsburgh this year to face the Panthers.  Pitt always plays well at home, as the atmosphere is always great for college basketball, but tough for road teams to play in.  We are curious to hear your thoughts on Villanova’s Big East opponents or the Villanova-Pitt rivalry.

 

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15 Comments to 2009-2010 Big East Opponents Released

Chris
July 3, 2009

Honestly, chalk up that road game at Pitt as a loss. If we win, awesome. But at Pitt is the toughest place to play in the conference, and is up there for the toughest place to play in the country.

So if we win, GREAT. But as of right now, coming off last season’s last second win over them, it’s going to be near-impossible.

MainLiner
July 3, 2009

After the game of the century in Boston last season, I can’t believe the Big East didn’t give us a home and away with Pitt. That being said the schedule looks pretty tough, but that was to be expected. Anyone else down for a cross-state road trip for that game?

login77
July 3, 2009

Chris stop this nonsense. We will not concede to anyone. Last year is over. I am expecting us to win every game. We will go to pitt and kick some ass! We are Villanova!

Chris
July 3, 2009

Love the confidence login, I’m just trying to be realistic.

And MainLiner Pitt is always a venue I have wanted to go to. I’ll probably be working though unfortunately.

bosshoghazzard
July 3, 2009

You’re predicting a loss? HA! We’re gonna go into Pitt and win by 20.

SeanDon
July 3, 2009

If the Big East wanted the Villanova-Pitt rivalry to go to the next level, they would have given us a home and away for next season.

As of right now, I would say Villanova’s biggest rival is a five way tie between these schools: UConn, Pitt, Cuse, Georgetown, and St. Joe’s.

Stan
July 3, 2009

On a slightly different subject, it looks like Portland has made a deal for Hedo Turkoglu. Wonder what this means for Dante?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4304805

Brian
July 3, 2009

Certainly can’t help Dante, as Turkoglu takes up another spot on the roster. If Cunningham does make the team, Turkoglu is another body that will take up playing time.

Stan
July 3, 2009

A sign and trade for Dante?

Stan
July 3, 2009

When I say trade I mean part of some kind of package to Orlando.

Stan
July 3, 2009

On second thought, maybe there won’t be any trade because Turkgolu is a free agent.

Stan
July 3, 2009

And Turkgolu to Portland may not happen anyway.
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/

joeyknucklehead
July 4, 2009

Can’t say I agree with predicting a loss in 09-10 to Pitt … Vegas won’t either. Nova would still win if Pitt still had Carl Krauser and L.Fields back for what has seemed like their 8th season by now.

I’m glad to the Nova-Pitt rivalry pick up – Both programs do things the right way.

Brian
July 4, 2009

Turkoglu has reportedly signed with the Toronto Raptors, so one less player for Dante to compete with for a roster spot/playing time.

who needs tix
July 7, 2009

I consider SU, UConn, and Georgetown the best rivalry games. We’ve had a great tradition of home & away games with SU the past few years that have always resulted in sell out crowds and intense games. It’s a shame to see that won’t be continued this year.

While I agree Pitt is a major program to contend with, I don’t get excited to play them unless they are highly ranked.

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