The madness is upon us, once again. It’s been three long years since some semblance of normalcy has returned to a favorite venue and an anticipated event like the Big East Tournament.
And UConn’s fans are back in their full glory for the first time since the Huskies rejoined the league. Tickets (and libations?) may be very hard to come by without some added expense.
That 2022 is the 40th anniversary of one of college basketball’s great postseason rituals at a singular, iconic site (Madison Square Garden) is icing on the proverbial cake. This year’s tournament may not need all those candles on that cake, however, to start a fire in that building – based on the events of the regular season leading up to this week’s get-together.
As many as seven of the league’s 11 schools are in a prime position to play beyond this week, or more specifically in next week’s NCAA Tournament. On a percentage basis, that may also mean Big East representation could be greater than any other region or conference in the country.
Providence created a storybook season for itself by winning its first-ever regular season championship in the 43-year history of the conference, but even that feel-good story doesn’t come without a cross-eyed look or two from their rivals. The top seed in this week’s tournament goes to the regular season titlist, which Providence won by percentage points over perennial power Villanova – even though the Wildcats swept two games from the Friars in the regular season.
By a total of seven points, mind you. Nova also had two more league wins overall as well. Covid protocols established by the Big East and agreed upon by membership forced the cancellation of three Big East games on the Friars’ slate.
The same situation happened last year in 2021 to Villanova…which had three fewer wins than runner-up Creighton but won the regular season crown and the top tourney seed by percentage points.
And this is where we remind you the Wildcats, as the top seed last season, LOST in the opening quarterfinal round to eventual tourney champ Georgetown.
In an event where ‘chalk’ is traditionally more likely to advance from round-to-round, just which teams can hoist the trophy - and gain the automatic NCAA tournament bid - for this season?
The answer won’t arrive until Saturday night.
FAVORITES
Providence (3-to-1): The Friars’ ability to win in the clutch has been nothing short of amazing. The metrics don’t like them, the national pollsters and media have been slow to come around on them. But they just keep winning. Down 19 with 17 minutes to play on the road? No problem. Missing one, two or even three of their regular players? Someone else steps in. PC’s depth has played a large part in their success. Metrics, schmetrics. Stat geeks do not rule the floor.
Villanova (2-to-1): Nova gonna Nova. Bluebloods find a way, and while there were some early bumps in the non-league schedule, the Wildcats have played true to form within the Big East. That is, they beat up on the other guys. The development of Eric Dixon in the middle has kept these ‘Cats as a threat in NY, as well as next week’s NCAA tourney. If UConn gets to the semifinals, Friday night could be an all-time night to remember in MSG history.
CONTENDERS
Connecticut (7-to-2): UConn’s first trip back to a postseason Garden with fans has been widely anticipated. They’ve got a team that can measure up to the scrutiny as well, with first-team all-Big East players R.J. Cole and Adama Sanogo. For my money, the straw that stirs these Huskies is ex-URI transfer Tyrese Martin. And unless someone can slow down their outside shooting touch, the Huskies could officially announce their return to the Big East in an even bigger way.
Marquette (7-to-1): Got a Most Improved Team award? It might go to the Golden Eagles in Shaka Smart’s first season as head coach. Preseason picked for ninth, Marquette is in position to go dancing with one of the Big East’s outstanding players and sharp-shooters, all-BE first-teamer Justin Lewis. Like Providence, the Golden Eagles also fared well in the transfer portal to pick up their competitiveness, with Darryl Morsell and Kur Kuath.
GOT A SHOT
Seton Hall (10-to-1): The Pirates have managed to reshape themselves late in the year, because they’ve had to. Without the services of point guard (and Harvard transfer) Bryce Aiken due to a concussion, Seton Hall has leaned a bit more on all-BE first-teamer Jared Rhoden and Syracuse transfer Kadary Richmond. Now, Richmond is injured and his status for this week is unknown. However, the Pirates are hot at the right time, winners of five straight and eight of their last 10.
SAY SOMETHING NICE, BUT NO SHOT
Creighton (15-to-1) – Could’a been a contendah. But probably not after losing Big East all-freshman team member Ryan Nembhard. A quarterfinal matchup with Marquette will be tough enough, and so will a semi-final facing Providence.
St. John’s (20-to-1) – Home court advantage is always worth something. It would be worth a lot more if the Red Storm could play some real defense, instead of gambling for steals all the time. But some teams fall for that trap and get caught in an up-and-down game with them…which is what it would take for St. John’s to succeed here.
Xavier (20-to-1) – If the one-time nationally ranked Musketeers knock off Providence in the quarterfinals Thursday, they could certainly find themselves in position to play for the title Saturday. The talent is there, despite the mid-to-late season swoon that saw X drop nine of their last 12. But they need to beat Butler first on Wednesday to secure a spot in the big dance beyond this week.
Butler, DePaul, Georgetown (50-to-1) – Wait until next year. Or the year after. But…Georgetown was seeded eighth last season and won without any fans in attendance. It still counts. And if you’re playing a real long-shot and want a contender from opening night Wednesday, might as well go with DePaul. Winners of three out of four coming into the tournament and seemingly healthy, they could provide problems for those who underestimate.