Big East Conference Tournament Preview

The Big East Conference Tournament begins tomorrow in New York. It has a crazy format, at least for a major conference because of the size of the league (16 teams) and the desire to reward teams for strong play in the conference season. Hence, we have the double bye.

Here is the bracket in this crazy monstrosity along with predictions of every game.

First Round Games

Connecticut vs DePaul – UConn has struggled down the stretch but this is as close to a layup as any top team in the country will have in its first conference tournament game. UConn wins big,

Seton Hall vs Rutgers – Seton Hall has underachieved all season, but has come to life in the last week smashing both St. John's and Marquette. That momentum will carry them through this game against scrappy but generally untalented Rutgers.

Villanova vs South Florida – Villanova has been in free fall for awhile now, but even they aren't going to manage to blow this game. South Florida is just a bad basketball team.

Marquette vs Providence – Marquette is in desperation mode and can't afford a loss as the one Big East bubble team at this point. Despite what some say about teams and not conferences earning bids, Marquette may not want to test the limits of the committee by losing. Unfortunately for them, they are playing Marshawn Brooks and Providence. The Friars will defend just enough to pull the upset behind a huge game from their star (who set the conference record for points in a game a couple of weeks ago).

Second Round Games

Georgetown vs Connecticut – Georgetown is also in free fall though it is injury based. Without Chris Wright, the Hoyas aren't beating UConn here.

St. John's vs Seton Hall – St. John's will be ready here after getting stomped by Seton Hall last week. The Red Storm will play well and Seton Hall couldn't possibly shoot as well from 3-point land as they did last week.

Cincinnati vs Villanova – Cincinnati has rounded into form at the same time Villanova has collapsed. Those trends will continue here unless Villanova's guard finally break their shooting slump. They won't.

West Virginia vs Providence – Providence won't defend well enough to win two games in this tournament. Mountaineers win even though the offense still sometimes has issues.

Quarterfinal Games

Pittsburgh vs UConn – Pitt usually plays very well in this tournament and UConn will be playing its third game in three days. The fatigue will set in and Pitt will advance.

Syracuse vs St. John's – Syracuse had a mid-season bobble but has seemingly recovered. I think the Syracuse zone will suffocate St. John's and take the Orange to victory.

Notre Dame vs Cincinnati – Notre Dame is the more-veteran team, the better team, the more-talented team and the team with more to play for (number one seed). That should guide the Irish to an easy win.

Louisville vs West Virginia – A rematch of last weekend's Preston Knowles stupidity game will end with the same result. West Virginia will take confidence from the win last Saturday.

Semifinal Games

Pittsburgh vs Syracuse – This is just an awful matchup for Syracuse as we saw during the season. Pitt will break Syracuse, again.

Notre Dame vs West Virginia – Ditto here except West Virginia has the advantage and the confidence of having beaten Notre Dame a few weeks ago.

Final

Pittsburgh vs West Virginia – Don't mess with a streak. Pittsburgh is the better team but the top seed might be locked up by game time and teams with the double bye don't win this tournament.

Projected Postseason

Pittsburgh – 1 seed

Notre Dame – 2 seed

Louisville – 4 seed

Syracuse – 4 seed

St. John's – 5 seed

West Virginia – 5 seed

Cincinnati – 7 seed

Georgetown – 9 seed

Connecticut – 6 seed

Villanova – 9 seed

Marquette – First Four

Others will miss postseason