The Big East was expected to drop down a few notches this season after being a dominant conference a year ago. However, it was yet another impressive season for the league, producing five top-20 (or so) teams, as well as several other potential NCAA Tournament clubs. There was also an excellent race for first-place, as Syracuse needed to knock off Villanova two Saturdays ago to take control of the conference. Three teams - West Virginia, Villanova and Pittsburgh - tied for second, with Marquette and Louisville following behind them. Georgetown and Notre Dame went 10-8, with Seton Hall and South Florida going 9-9. There is plenty on the line over the next few days, as bubble teams need wins and locks want to improve their seedings. With all 16 teams heading to Madison Square Garden for the conference tournament, it should be a fun time in New York City.
Schedule (All times Eastern)
Tuesday March 9
Game 1: #9 USF vs. #16 DePaul 12:00 p.m. ESPN2
Game 2: #12 Connecticut vs. #13 St. John's 2:00 p.m. ESPN2
Game 3: #10 Seton Hall vs. #15 Providence 7:00 p.m. ESPNU
Game 4: #11 Cincinnati vs. #14 Rutgers 9:00 p.m. ESPNU
Wednesday, March 10
Game 5: #8 Georgetown vs. USF/DePaul winner 12:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 6: #5 Marquette vs. Connecticut/St. John's winner 2:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 7: #7 Notre Dame vs. Seton Hall/Providence winner 7:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 8: #6 Louisville vs. Cincinnati/Rutgers winner 9:00 p.m. ESPN
Thursday, March 11
Game 9: #1 Syracuse vs. Game 5 winner 12:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 10: #4 Villanova vs. Game 6 winner 2:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 11: #2 Pittsburgh vs. Game 7 winner 7:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 12: #3 West Virginia vs. Game 8 winner 9:00 p.m. ESPN
Friday, March 12
Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 7:00 p.m. ESPN
Game 14; Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 9:00 p.m. ESPN
Saturday, March 13
Game 15: Big East Championship Game. 9:00 p.m. ESPN
Sleeper: Georgetown Hoyas
A top-25 team being a sleeper? Well, because of the way Georgetown finished the season, the Hoyas only received a No. 8 seed in the conference tournament. The Hoyas struggled in the second half of conference play, losing four of their last six and six of its last 10 league games. However, they have one of the most effective offenses in the conference and can beat anyone in the country. Greg Monroe, who has been a dominant inside force all season, and Austin Freeman, who is showing no ill effects of his recent Diabetes diagnosis, are a dynamite duo, but Chris Wright needs to be more consistent at the point. Jason Clark is a solid double-figure scorer who hits better than 42 percent of his three-point shots.
Bust: Pittsburgh Panthers
I do think that many of the top Big East teams are going to be busts in the NCAA Tournament, as there are clear weaknesses in potential high seeds Villanova, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Georgetown, etc. However, the biggest bust in the conference tournament will likely be Pittsburgh. The Panthers won the tie-breakers with Villanova and West Virginia and received the No. 2 seed in New York City. If you're banking on Ashton Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker giving you three games this week, though, you're going to be in for a long week. Outside of those two, the Panthers don't have consistent offensive options and they are susceptible to defeat when they aren't able to control the glass. Unfortunately for them, their opponent in the semifinals could be West Virginia - one of the best rebounding teams in the country. Pitt won't play more than two games - if that.
Players to Watch
Chris Wright, G, Georgetown Hoyas
The Hoyas fiddled down the stretch of the season, and Wright was a major reason for that. Simply put, he's inconsistent. Since Wright scored 18 points against DePaul on January 3, he has scored in single-digits on seven different occasions, compared to 10 double-figure outings. For a player who averaged better than 14 points on the season, that's a telling stat. He finished strong, averaging nearly 17 points in his last three games, but he combined for a total of 30 points in the three games before that. If Georgetown is going to make a run in the postseason, Wright is going to have to consistently produce points and assists.
Jeremy Hazell, G, Seton Hall Pirates
A player like Hazell could help you win a playoff match-up this week - but could also shoot you right out of the playoffs. Unfortunately, it's the same way for him and his real time as well. Seton Hall has the pieces to make a run in the conference tournament, but the Pirates could also lose to high-scoring Providence on the first day of the tournament. Hazell is averaging 20.3 points in his last four games, and 19.1 in his last eight. Those might be disappointing numbers for fantasy owners, but the Pirates are 6-2 in those eight games. Which Hazell will show up? The high-scoring but inefficient Hazell? Or the one that leads his team to victory?
Darius Johnson-Odom, G, Marquette Golden Eagles
One of the key players in Marquette's late-season run to the NCAA Tournament, Johnson-Odom could be an interesting play for owners still alive in their playoffs. He is averaging 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his last three games, including a 22-point, seven-rebound outing against Louisville. While his performance in conference play is enough to warrant ownership, the draw Marquette received could give you pause. The Golden Eagles will play the winner of Connecticut and St. John's, two teams that could defeat Marquette. If they survive that, they face Villanova. I'm not sure how many games you will get out of D J-O.
Luke Harangody, F, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
How could I not include the most productive fantasy player in the conference? Harangody was putting up his usual 25 and 10 every night until he missed five games with an injury - and probably cost some fantasy owners a championship. He returned against Marquette on Saturday, but played just 11 minutes, scoring five points and grabbing two rebounds. Furthermore, he is going to come off the bench for the conference tournament (and perhaps beyond). What are you going to get out of Harangody in New York? If he comes off the bench and produces like he did against Marquette, you can't own him. But if he starts playing 30-35 minutes again? Get him back in the lineup.
Wesley Johnson, F, Syracuse Orange
An All-American at forward, Johnson made the biggest impact of any transfer this season. However, with his hand injured for the latter part of the season, Johnson struggled down the stretch. In his last nine games, Johnson is averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists - as compared to his overall season averages of 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest. Johnson is going to be tough to bench this week, as I think that Syracuse is going to make a run to the championship game and win the Big East tournament. If he gives you three games this week, you might have to start him no matter what.