By JOHN P. WISEOne Great Season
The St. John's loss at Seton Hall was more surprising than it was damaging. Missing out on a double-bye and only getting one off day in the Big East Tournament won't crush the Red Storm. The conference event is the most brutal in the country, but if there's one team that can muscle its way to four wins in four days at Madison Square Garden, it's probably a St. John's team that has won a handful of big games at that very venue under Steve Lavin already this season.
Last Night's Headlines
+ Jordan Taylor single-handedly carried No. 10 Wisconsin to a road win at pesky Indiana. His career-best 39 points helped the Badgers improve to 23-6 and 13-4 in the Big Ten. Don't look now, but a win at Ohio State on Sunday, and two wins at the league tournament could very well give U-Dub a No. 2 seed.
+ Arizona clinched at least a share of the Pac-10 title by beating Oregon State Thursday night. A home win over Oregon on Saturday would give the Wildcats the crown outright.
Top Four Seeds
+ EAST — Ohio State: Projected to be the tournament's No. 1 overall seed.
+ SOUTHEAST — Duke: A trip to Chapel Hill on Saturday awaits the Blue Devils.
+ SOUTHWEST — Kansas: The Jayhawks are a complete team ready to make up for last year's failure.
+ WEST — BYU: For now, but the Cougs have to do some more convincing.
On The Bubble
+ Washington — When it looked like the Pac-10 was only getting two teams into the NCAA Tournament, it now might sneak four in. The Huskies earned a great win over UCLA Thursday and can earn another good one vs. fellow bubbler USC on Saturday.
Work To Do
+ Washington State — The Pac-10 was busy Thursday night. The Cougars scored a must-win over USC, and need a resume builder against visiting UCLA on Saturday.
Today's Top Read
+ An anonymous BYU alum penned a fascinating piece for Deadspin on the suspension of forward Brandon Davies.
What To Watch Tonight
+ Akron vs. Kent State, ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Your Tournament Video Of The Day
No. 13 UAB stuns No. 4 Kentucky in a 2004 second-round game in Columbus. Yes, this is the over-the-head, no-look pass game!