As quickly as a Georgetown Hoya makes a backdoor cut, the balance of power atop the Big East standings shifted in a three-day span.
Pittsburgh's spot in first place appears precarious after a stunning 66-53 home loss to unranked Louisville Monday night. How stunning, you ask? The Cardinals led the Panthers by double digits for the last 35 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, the Hoyas, once 1-2 in the conference and out of the top 25, soundly defeated Marquette and West Virginia over the weekend to extend their winning streak to eight games.
At the forefront of Georgetown's surge are juniors Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, who had been having indifferent seasons prior to the win streak. Green, who failed to reach double-digit point totals in eight of the team's first 18 games, is averaging 19.2 points and 4.2 assists in his last five games.
After being held without a field-goal attempt in 24 minutes of action in a Jan. 8 loss to Villanova, Hibbert has scored in double figures in seven of his last eight and recorded at least 20 points in his last three games.
Pittsburgh (22-4, 10-2) remains in first place, but Georgetown (19-5, 9-2) has played one fewer game, and Marquette (21-6, 8-4) awaits if either falters down the stretch. If the Panthers hang on, they will have done it the hard way: Pittsburgh still must visit Georgetown and Marquette.
Out of conference, out of sight
Most figured Connecticut would undergo a rebuilding season after losing six NBA draft picks from last year's team. But a Jim Calhoun-coached squad not playing meaningful games in March?
Get used to the idea.
UConn's loss at Georgia Tech (non-conference away games in February are a bad idea, just ask UCLA) Sunday likely eliminated the Huskies' NCAA at-large hopes. Without a single quality non-conference win, UConn would need to win out and have a decent showing in the Big East tournament, assuming it qualifies.
Neither scenario is probable, especially with Syracuse, Louisville, Villanova and Georgetown looming on the Huskies' schedule.
Who's Hot? – Georgetown. Did you see the Marquette game? The Hoyas have won seven of their last eight by 14 or more points.
Who's Not? – Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish's heartbreaking loss at DePaul followed an embarrassing defeat at South Florida.
Player of the Week – Roy Hibbert, Georgetown. The 7-foot-2 center has scored 20 or more points in three consecutive games.