Why The 2009-2010 Big East Schedule Makes Syracuse a Contender

As we sit here in July, amidst warm weather, fireworks, and the sun, it seems the perfect time to talk about...college basketball? The 2009-2010 Big East schedule has been released today, and after reading it there really is no reason to not believe that Syracuse is a main contender for next season. The loss of Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, and Paul Harris definitely hurt. But look at the match ups: Home Games UConn Georgetown Louisville Marquette Pittsburgh Providence St. Johns USF Villanova Away Games Cincinatti Depaul Georgetown Louisville Notre Dame Providence Rutgers Seton Hall West Virginia If you ask me, I would say that it really doesn't get much better than that for the Orange. Outside of a trip to South Bend against Notre Dame, and a home-and-home with Georgetown, how could this schedule be set up any better? Connecticut at home, Pittsburgh at home, Georgetown at home, Marquette at home, and most importantly, a showdown with the apparently loaded Villanova ... (link)