Three years ago, the Big East decided to split into two divisions. Notre Dame was just emerging as a contender and no one had predicted the rise of Pittsburgh.

Put those two teams in the same division as Syracuse and surprising Seton Hall, and you have the makings of a dominant West Division.

On the other side, Connecticut and Boston College battle yearly, while Villanova and St. John’s attempt to make runs to the top of the division.

The supposed balance that was created by the split has yet to take shape this year. Three teams in the West — Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Notre Dame — have reached 20 wins, and all rank in the Top 25. In the East, no team has 20 wins or is ranked in the Top 25.

The average RPI ranking in the West is 53.6 compared to 93.3 in the East. The West holds a 17-7 advantage over the East in crossover games.

‘Clearly, the West has three terrific teams,’ UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. ‘There’s no doubt that the West is stronger this year.’

Entering this week’s play, four teams in the West are within two games of each other for the division lead. All of these teams have a shot at finishing in the top two spots, thus clinching a first round bye in the Big East tournament.

Currently, Syracuse and Pitt lead the chase at 11-3, followed by Seton Hall (10-4) and Notre Dame (9-5).

In the East, the race is tight as well, but the level of competition is considered weaker than the West. Boston College and UConn are tied for first place at 9-5, closely followed by Villanova (8-6).

The major difference comes in NCAA Tournament status. At the beginning of this week, both ESPN.com and Sportsline.com listed West Division teams Syracuse, Pitt, Notre Dame and Seton Hall as NCAA locks. The Huskies were the only East Division team listed as a lock. Villanova and BC are both considered bubble teams.

‘At least three teams in the West are already in,’ Calhoun said. ‘They’re arguably three of the best teams in the country and are just fighting for seeding.’

Another argument that exists for the West’s supremacy can be made by the teams at the bottom of the division. Rutgers — after last season’s 8-8 Big East finish that included a trip to the NIT — was considered a team with a shot at reaching the NCAA Tournament.

Sitting at 4-10 in the league and only a half game ahead of last-place West Virginia, the Scarlet Knights may not even make the Big East tournament.

“It’s not even close,” Knights head coach Gary Waters said. ‘For us to be in the position we’re in shows the West is stronger.”

Many of the players considered threats for the Big East Player of the Year award also reside in the West. Pitt’s Brandin Knight, Syracuse’s Carmelo Anthony, Notre Dame’s Matt Carroll and Chris Thomas and Georgetown’s Mike Sweetney all are members of West Division teams.

In the East, only UConn’s Ben Gordon, BC’s Troy Bell and St. John’s Marcus Hatten have received serious consideration.

Still, many coaches in the conference feel that a balance exists between the two divisions. Arguably, any game on any given night could go either way, especially when premier teams play on the road.

Syracuse suffered a 75-61 loss Feb. 10 at UConn, and Seton Hall suffered a 74-66 setback Jan. 4 at St. John’s. The Huskies also upset the Irish in South Bend, 87-79, on Feb. 24.

‘Syracuse, Notre Dame and Seton Hall are having great years,’ Pitt head coach Ben Howland said. ‘So are we. But UConn is playing well, and BC is making a strong case. It’s tough on both sides.’

Said Villanova head coach Jay Wright: ‘I really don’t think there’s a disparity. It all depends on matchups and when you play games. I really think it’s all equal.’

Wright may want to check on his Wildcats’ 1-2 record against the West with Pitt still looming.

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey has taken a different approach. Since teams only play four crossover games — as opposed to 12 division games — he chooses to focus mainly on the division opponents.

‘I really think it has been overanalyzed,’ Brey said. ‘I’m focused on our division. When you go head-to-head, they’re all battles.’

Bell dominates

Boston College point guard Troy Bell saw his team sinking. After a 101-96, overtime loss Jan. 25 at home to Notre Dame, the Eagles were 8-8 and 1-4 in the Big East.

Since that time, BC has lost only once and has put itself in position for a bye in the first round of the Big East tournament — largely due to the play of Bell.

Bell currently averages 27.9 points in conference. If that pace holds, it would surpass Seton Hall’s Dan Callandrillo — who averaged 27.4 in 1981-82 — for the all-time best single-season average in the Big East. Bell has already become BC’s all-time points leader (1,335), second on the Big East all-time list. He trails only SU’s Lawrence Moten, who scored 1,405 points from 1991-95.

‘He knows that it’s the end of the road for this stage of his career,’ BC head coach Al Skinner said. ‘He’s become more focused and determined. Guys are accepting the fact that we’re just going to follow him.’

This and that

Bell and Sweetney shared Big East Player of the Week honors. Bell earned the award for the third-straight week. He averaged 32.5 points in road wins Feb. 26 over St. John’s, 81-63, and Saturday against Miami, 72-68. Sweetney dominated Syracuse in Saturday’s 93-84 overtime loss. He scored 31 points to go along with 19 boards, seven assists and seven blocks. He also scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds Feb. 25 in a 71-56 win over Providence…For the record-tying ninth time this season, Anthony won the Big East Rookie of the Week award. He averaged 27 points and 12.5 rebounds in an 89-51 win over West Virginia on Feb. 26, and Saturday’s win over Georgetown. The nine awards ties former Georgetown guard Allen Iverson for the league record.

Published on March 3, 2003 at 12:00 pm