Chalk ruled the day. The teams having a bye all advanced. Sandwiched between some reasonably competitive games were a couple games that never had the outcome in doubt.
It was a foul-filled, trash-talking, generally unpleasant game to watch. Jay Bilas seemed just about ready to throw down his headset in disgust, spit on the court, and walk out of Madison Square Garden in protest at one point. In a ten second stretch in the second half, there were four technical fouls issued.
The biggest loser of the first game of the Big East Tournament (BET) was not Cincy. It was Providence. The Friars are a fringe bubble team. They need more than simply a deep run in the BET, they need quality wins to boost their computer numbers. Providence now gets DePaul and their 200+ RPI number tomorrow. Even if they win, they get little to show for it. On top of that, Providence swept Cincinnati. That Cincinnati loss to DePaul further drives down the value of those wins. 
Yes, times are tough. Everyone is looking to cut costs anywhere. Even athletic departments are not immune. That said, there are efficient cost reductions and there's being just plain cheap. Seton Hall has long been considered on the cheap side with their athletic department. They have skimped on academic support. They play their games off-campus. The college has been known to tap the athletic department budget to make up other budget shortfalls.
Pitt's star Center, Aaron Gray was held out of the game tonight, after suffering an ankle sprain in the final seconds of Saturday's win over Washington. His left foot was encased in a protective boot, while sitting on the bench. He is expected to play in the big Saturday game at Georgetown.
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