Gone from BC, Al Skinner’s old recruits finding success

Give Providence coach Ed Cooley points for frankness after the Friars were pummeled by St. John’s, 81-67, Tuesday night. “Our kids were just pathetic in every imaginable way,’’ said Cooley . . . Who says scheduling is not a factor in success? Big East teams began conference play this week with an overall record of 115-10 at home, 16-13 on the road, and 20-20 on neutral courts . . . With all the fanfare surrounding Duke and North Carolina in the ACC, Virginia coach Tony Bennett has quietly built a dangerous team, with 11 wins in the first 12 games . . . Turf war in Kentucky tomorrow, with No. 4 Louisville visiting No. 3 Kentucky in the Pitino vs. Calipari battle for supremacy in the Bluegrass State . . . Interesting tidbit turned up by Dick Jerardi of the Philadelphia Daily News. If Louisville beats UConn this season, the Cardinals will have wins over the defending Division 1, Division 2, and the NAIA national champions. The Ville beat Bellarmine and Pikeville in exhibition games in November.