McGUIRE: : Georgetown Is in League by Itself--and It Seems Big East Will Be, Too

I’m a guy who appreciates the East more than anybody. I grew up in the Big Apple. And I like the Philadelphia guys who put mustard on their pretzels and eat cheesesteak.

But now that the Big East Conference has a lock on the national title, I’m a little concerned that maybe it’s getting too much momentum for the rest of the country.

Yeah, I know the graduation of all the great seniors means there will be a leveling off next season, but I think that will be only temporary.

The Big East has the media blitz, the population corridor and the time belt to create a big edge in recruiting. Obviously, any 17-year-old likes to be on TV and see his name in the papers.

That’s why, no matter what Vacuum-Head Packer says, the NCAA tournament money should be split among all the teams. And why no conference should ever have more than four teams invited.

In college basketball it used to be a matter of UCLA and, every now and then, a team from the other side of the Mississippi River. Now all the best teams seem to be on the other side of the Adirondack Mountains.

Speaking of UCLA, I’ve always said that the Bruin team of Lew Alcindor’s junior year (1967-68) was one of the top three of all time. The others were the San Francisco team of Bill Russell’s senior year (1955-56) and the 1975-76 Indiana team.

But if the Asian flu doesn’t hit Patrick Ewing before midnight tonight, or if he doesn’t sign his NBA contract at halftime, this Georgetown team will have to move into my top three. The Hoyas lost Michael Graham, the intimidating power forward from last season’s championship team, and nobody has even noticed.

John Thompson is more than a 6-foot-10 intimidator of opponents and referees. He’s an outstanding coach both on the floor and with all the surrounding activities.

At one time Bill Russell was the greatest thing in basketball and John carried Russell’s bags with the Celtics. Now John is the biggest thing in basketball with the exception of the guy he governs--Ewing.

If I had to walk in a dark alley at night, Ewing would be the guy I’d want to walk with. His jump hook will be as famous as Kareem’s sky hook, his outlet pass to start a fast break will surpass Bill Walton, his blocked shots will make Russell’s play relatively insignificant and his strength will surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s. Barring injury, you can put his name in the Hall of Fame at Springfield, Mass., right now.

So what chance does Villanova have?

The Wildcats have an advantage that St. John’s didn’t--they did not beat Georgetown during the regular season. The memory of its loss to St. John’s kept Georgetown mentally and physically alert. Against Villanova, there could be a letdown by the coaching staff and the team.

I know Coach John will keep hammering on that overtime in the Palestra, the fact that the crowd will be somewhere in the ballpark of 8 to 1 against Georgetown and that Villanova is a much better team without the shot clock.

Rollie Massimino feels very comfortable in slowing down the game, and he makes you play ugly. Tonight he’ll be trying to beat Stallone to Rocky IV and the dream of running the steps of that museum in Philadelphia.

Another important asset are the three seniors who have played four years--Ed Pinckney, Big Mac (Dwayne McClain) and Little Mac (Gary McLain). They have maturity and lack of fear. And they’re especially tough with the lead.

On its first possession, Villanova will have to spread it out and work the ball until at least a foul is called. The Wildcats need to try to govern the tempo without going into the deep freeze--a delay where they’re looking more to be fouled and to eat the clock.

If possible, they need to isolate Pinckney’s quickness against Ewing’s strength and pull Ewing out from the blocks if possible. Plus, Big Mac has to be on his after-burner and produce something in the neighborhood of 20 points.

If Georgetown gets a lead of more than six points, it’s curtains. Tap City. They Hoyas will go into the four corners, and Villanova will have to go man-to-man. Then the game could get into triple digits. And if Georgetown scores more than 60, there’s no way. Villanova has to keep Georgetown within the speed limit of 55.

Hey, I appreciate a Cinderella as much as anybody. It’s the American way to pull for the underdog. I know because I coached one, remember, back in 1977. And I remember Coach V. and N.C. State a couple of years ago. But I still have to like Georgetown to win big.

Then it will be up to the NCAA to figure out what to do about the Big East. In the city, every playground and telephone pole with a hoop is a Rupp Arena of your dreams. I know, because I’ve been there.