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Big East Has Contenders

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: January 3, 2009

It was just one game.

"The commissioner is not handing out any trophies tonight," Georgetown coach John Thompson III said.

But the Hoyas (10-1), thought to be a bit young to challenge for a Big East Conference title, are in the thick of contention now. Monday's 74-63 victory at Connecticut - a stunning display in which the Hoyas raced to an 18-3 lead - has Georgetown looking like a Final Four-caliber program.

Of course, in the Big East, you could say that about five teams, maybe more.

"It's going to be a war," Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon said.

The war continues today when Dixon's Panthers (13-0) visit Georgetown, which has lost only to Tennessee in the Old Spice Classic at Orlando during Thanksgiving weekend.

So who wins the Big East?

Today's Georgetown-Pittsburgh winner might be considered an early front-runner. UConn had Coach Jim Calhoun so flummoxed against Georgetown, he refused to call any of his players by name in his postgame assessment. Still, the Huskies can't be dismissed. Especially when calling this name - Hasheem Thabeet (he's 7-foot-3).

Syracuse might have its best team since Carmelo Anthony's one-and-done season. Notre Dame has Luke Harangody. Louisville, off its game at the moment, has enough talent. Have we mentioned Villanova or Marquette? Overall, the Big East might be in outrageous shape by March, perhaps strong enough to claim a record 10 bids to the NCAA Tournament. Dixon is skeptical, believing the 18-game league schedule will extract a big toll.

No trophies have been distributed.

But expect Big East teams to seriously contend for the big trophy - the one handed out at the Final Four in Detroit.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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