That Philly Feeling

via www.reclinergm.com

The Big East announced its conference schedule matchups (not the schedule, just who plays who where) today.  Here's what WVU's schedule looks like:

WEST VIRGINIA
    Home    Cincinnati, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Villanova
    Away    Connecticut, DePaul, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall, USF, Villanova

At first blush, it seems like a pretty fair draw.  We always play Pitt home and away, so no surprise there.  And Seton Hall, while not a pushover, will at least help balance out league-favorite Villanova.  Knee-jerk predictions after the jump.

Cincinnati:  W - This should be a blowout after what they've done to us last year at their place, and the year before at our place . . . and the year before that down at their place.  Dang, we really owe these guys. 

Georgetown:  W - Although we have traditionally struggled with the Hoyas, we won last year at their place and, even though they will be much-improved this year, so will we.  We get this one at home.

Louisville:  L - They lost Earl Clark and Terrence Williams to the NBA, but return Samardo Samuels, Edgar Sosa, and tons more talent.  I think we're going to drop a game or two at home, and this happens to be one of them.

Marquette:  W - No Wesley Matthews, no Jerel McNeal, no Dominic James, no win in Morgantown.

Pitt:  W - I won't ever pick us to lose to Pitt.  Ever. 

Rutgers:  W - Improving, but not even close to us yet.

Seton Hall:  W - See Rutgers.

Syracuse:  W - If this turns into anything more than an Eric Devendorf roast, I'm going to be severely disappointed.

Villanova:  W - Somehow, we've had success against them the last couple years.  I don't see any reason why that should change now.

@UConn:  L - They return a ton of talent and get Ater Majok eligible.  Plus, Jim Calhoun's teams are always ready to play at home.

@DePaul:  W - Hahahahahaha.

@Notre Dame:  W - Finally we get a win in South Bend.  Harangody returns, so it won't be easy, but Kyle McAlarney finally graduates with something like a doctorate in doctorates after having spent the better part of the Bush Administration with the Irish.

@Pitt:  W - I meant it when I said I'll never pick us to lose to Pitt.

@Providence:  L - We always seem to drop a road game when we shouldn't, and this seems like as good a choice as any.  Keno Davis is a quality coach.

@St. Johns:  W - Probably in Madison Square Garden.  Probably a blowout.

@Seton Hall:  W - Depending on when this is played, it may be a trap game.  But Da'Sean always seems to light it up in front of his hometown fans.

@USF:  W - They tend to give us fits, but we tend to eek out games against them anyway.

@Villanova:  L - I doubt this will be played on campus, so maybe it negates some home-court advantage, but it's never easy winning on the road against he league favorite.  Plus, I'm guessing this will be late in the season and the Wildcats will be looking for some payback for an earlier loss in Morgantown.

Record:  15-3.  Seems a little ambitious, but what fun is it to sit around and predict losses?  Maybe you folks can chime in on other potential pitfalls and trap games.