Tournament Update for Every Big East Team
UConn: UConn is looking at a one seed no matter what unless they were to lose out in the regular season and then lose their first-round game of the big east tournament they would probably get a two seed. Their schedule looks like going to Marquette and Providence which by no means are easy games for the Huskies but without Kolek the Marquette game becomes much easier. Connecticut is favored in both games on KenPom, and I don’t see them losing either game let alone both. UConn is easily going to be a one seed this year.
Marquette: Marquette on the other hand has one of the most interesting situations for the teams that are locked into the tournament right now. Their star point guard Tyler Kolek is dealing with an Oblique injury and will miss the rest of the regular season. Hopefully Kolek will be ready for the Big East Tournament, but his injury makes their last 2 games very interesting. They play UConn at home and a desperate Xavier team at Cintas. I don’t think winning these games could move them up to a one seed from their current 2 seed, but it definitely moves them down to a 3 if they were to lose both games. Kam Jones needs to step up and lead The Golden Eagles while they are without Kolek. I think Marquette falters a little bit without Kolek and ends up with a 3 seed.
Creighton: The last lock is Creighton who is very much on the bubble between the 3 and 4 seeds. Many bracketologists have the Blue Jays as a 3 but a win at Villanova this weekend could be the push they need to be a 3 in enough brackets. The Blue Jays will likely need a few wins in the Big East Tournament to secure and keep that 3 seed but it starts with Villanova on Saturday. Creighton’s big three are going to lead the Blue Jays to a Big East Tournament run and eventually claiming a 3 seed in the tournament.
Providence: Providence is currently projected to be an 11 seed by most bracketologists right now. Providence took its first step towards getting in the tournament by getting the win versus Georgetown tonight and avoiding the anchor that would be a loss to the Hoyas. Their final regular season game is home against the Huskies. That is going to be a tough test, but you never want to count out a Big East team at home. If the Friars can pull out the win that would make them essentially a lock for the tournament. If they lose Providence is going to need 1-2 wins in the conference tournament to make the tournament. I think Providence is not going to be able to pull it off against UConn or make a tournament run and fall just short of an at large bid.
Seton Hall: Just like Providence Seton Hall is sitting just inside the field in most bracketologys. The Pirates have 2 remaining games on their schedule. They face Villanova and DePaul both at home. If Seton Hall can get 3 wins overall including the Big East Tournament it should be more than good enough to secure a spot in the tournament. Seton Hall is going to sneak into the tournament after winning out in the regular season plus a win or two in the conference tournament. If the pirates make the tournament, they are going to be a very dangerous 10-11 seed.
St. John’s: St. John’s is currently on the outside looking in of those last couple at large bid spots and they only have one regular season game left after taking care of DePaul tonight. That game is against Georgetown so neither of those wins are going to move the needle in their favor. The resume-building wins must come in the Big East Tournament. The Johnnies cannot afford a loss in the first or second round of the Big East Tournament. I believe that Rick Pitino is going to have the Johnnies close out the season on a strong note and make a run in the Big East Tournament leading to an at large bid.
Villanova: Villanova goes to Seton Hall and then Creighton comes to their place to finish off their season. Both of those games would be huge for their resume. If they could win both of those games, it would be hard to keep the Wildcats out of the tournament. If they don’t win at least one of those games, it is going to take a deep conference tournament run for Villanova to get an at large bid. If they only manage to win one of those games 2 Big East Tournament wins could be just enough. However, I think Villanova is going to fall short and lose both of their remaining games and not be able to overcome that hurdle in the Big East Tournament.
Butler: Butler has a lot of work to do they sit firmly out of the at large conversation right now after losing 5 out of their last 6 games. They only have one game left in the regular season. That game is Xavier coming to Hinkle Field House in a fight for both team's lives. If Butler is going to claim an at large bid it starts with beating Xavier and then winning 3 games in the Big East Tournament. If Butler can make a run to the tournament championship, they would have a case to claim one of the final at large bids. I think that Butler is going to fall short against Xavier and in the Big East Tournament leaving Butler to question how their season fell apart so quickly.
Xavier: The Musketeers currently sit with a record of 14-13 and 2 games left in the regular season. Those 2 games are Butler at Hinkle Field House and Marquette coming to Cintas. Both would be quad one opportunities but not out of the question for Xavier to win. Earlier in the year Xavier beat Butler by 14 points and Marquette is without their best player. This would put Xavier in a position if they made a run in the Big East Tournament, they might be able to sneak into the tournament without getting the automatic bid. If Xavier made the championship game and lost that would leave them with a record of 19-14 while adding probably 4 quad one wins in the process, they would have a chance at an at large bid if everything went their way. While this is unlikely it is not impossible. I believe the Musketeers will go on a bit of a run winning out in the regular season and winning their first 2 conference tournament games and making selection Sunday a little bit interesting but still falling a little bit short.
Georgetown and DePaul: I don’t think anyone envisions DePaul or Georgetown winning the big east tournament but that is their only chance to make it in the tournament. For these two teams it is just about getting to the offseason. DePaul is in need of a new coach and Georgetown wants to see what Ed Cooley can build with this program.
