Wednesday, the BE conference play begins. The conference propaganda show begins airing this morning on CSTV. It has already aired on some local sports networks, but this is its national airing, for what it is worth.

Pitt, of course, will be facing Georgetown. There are 4 other BE match-ups including BC-UConn (in Hartford) and WVU-Villanova (showing on ESPN Classic). The Pitt game is on ESPN’s Full Court or FoxSports Pittsburgh.

Hoyas in Pittsburgh are gathering at a bar in Station Square.

As the non-con play is about done, time to take a glance at my preseason BE predictions appear to look now.

I was off on WVU. I thought they’d be good (hence the slight hedge), but not as good as they’ve shown so far. Right about BC and Providence it appears. ND may be even lower, but is still up in the air because they haven’t beaten anyone worth a damn, and lost their only 2 reasonably difficult games. My bottom 4 look about right still (St. John’s, Georgetown, Rutgers and Seton Hall). UConn like Pitt has been a bit disappointing, though both still look to be among the top 5 in the conference. Syracuse is up where expected. Villanova is still a big question mark. Their game with WVU will be interesting. So far, then, I’d say it looks pretty good.

The BE, at this point looks to have 5 teams heading to the NCAA — WVU, BC, Syracuse, UConn and Pitt. Providence, ND and ‘Nova are on or near the bubble.