Snowflakes: C-USA/Big East Hoops
* West Virginia has won 3 of their last 4 and really seems to be coming together at the right time. One of the main reasons for their solid play of late is that post man Joe Campbell has averaged 25.5 points a game in the last 4 contests, including 32 in the Mountaineers’ huge victory over Pittsburgh Monday night.. They should win their last game at St. John’s which would mean Bob Huggins’ club would finish the season at 
22-9 with an 11-7 conference record in the loaded Big East. It says a lot about this team that they would adjust from former coach John Beilein’s system to Huggins’ style and not miss a beat. Many prognosticators have West Virginia on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament, but as long as they take care of business at St. John’s, I think they definitely deserve to be in the Big Dance.
* After finishing the non-conference slate at 5-7, it looked like it would be a very rough season for Cincinnati. However, the Bearcats have been a nice story as they are currently standing at 8-8 in the Big East. While there might not be an NCAA or even a NIT bid this year, Cincinnati seems to be buying into second year coach Mick Cronin’s system. Cronin was known a solid recruiter for his former Cincy boss Bob Huggins, and then he went on to have some 3 solid seasons at the Murray State head man. With Top 100 recruits Yancy Gates and Cashmere Wright signed for next season, Cronin looks to have his alma mater moving in the right direction.
* Houston probably played their way off the bubble with their crushing loss at East Carolina. The Pirates are currently 10th in Conference USA so the 84-83 loss by the
Cougars really hurt them with the selection committee. UAB is now in 2nd place in the conference, but the Blazers still have to play at Memphis to close out the season. Unless the Blazers can close strong, the reality that C-USA will only be a 1-bid league looks to becoming to fruition. UAB has a shot at making the field, but it may take a win at Memphis to seal the deal. Memphis coach John Calipari tried to talk up the league in the preseason, but it looks like his Tigers might be the only team from the conference to make the Tourney for the second year in a row.
- Patrick Snow
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