2013 College Basketball Picks: Big East Conference Tournamant Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Big East Tournament Schedule and Tournament Bracket: It’s a shame that this year’s Big East Tournament will be the last with the conference’s current lineup of teams because the five-day event has produced some of the most exciting basketball outside of the NCAA Tournament. Not to mention the fact that Big East Tournament champs have also had a lot of success in the Big Dance, especially recently. If the crowded regular season standings that included a three-way tie for first are any indication of what to expect, the final Big East Tournament shouldn’t disappoint. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the contenders for the conference tournament title.
2013 Big East Tournament Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
The Contenders
They were part of the three-way tie for the top spot in the regular season, and the Georgetown Hoyas (24-5. 14-4 Big East) have won 12 of their last 13 games leading up to the conference tournament. They also own the second-stingiest defense in the Big East. On the flip side, Georgetown doesn’t have a ton of offensive firepower, but they do have Wooden Award candidate Otto Porter Jr. He could be all the offense the Hoyas need to take the title.
The Louisville Cardinals (26-5, 14-4 Big East) are the defending Big East Tournament champs, and Rick Pitino’s bunch is playing their best basketball at the right time once again. The Cardinals have won their last seven games and have been one of the most balanced teams in the conference. The backcourt of Peyton Siva and Russ Smith has Louisville leading the Big East in scoring while the shot blocking of center Gorgui Dieng has helped the Cardinals rank third in scoring defense.
Considering they have been overachieving all year, why should the Marquette Golden Eagles (23-7, 14-4 Big East) stop with just a share of the regular season title? Guard Vander Blue and forward Davante Gardner lead an offense that ranks 35th in the country in field goal percentage, but more than anything, Marquette just seems to find a way to hang with any opponent regardless of the style of play. Plain and simple, the Golden Eagles are going to be a tough out.
Armed with the Big East’s top-ranked defense, the Pittsburgh Panthers (24-7, 12-6 Big East) can grind out wins against just about anyone. Point guard Tray Woodall runs an offense that ranks eighth in the country in assists and 15th in field goal percentage, and the Panthers’ ability to get quality shots feeds directly into their relentless defense. Pittsburgh is makes its opponents earn just about every basket they get.
Despite being horribly inconsistent all season, the Villanova Wildcats (19-12, 10-8 Big East) can’t be overlooked in the Big East Tournament. For all their other shortcomings, the Wildcats seem to play their best against the best teams in the conference. Georgetown, Marquette and Louisville shared the Big East title during the regular season, and Villanova owns victories over all three. As crazy as this tournament has been over the years, don’t count out the Wildcats.
Bottom Line
There are only a handful of teams that would truly be a surprise to see win the Big East Tournament, but that being said, it is hard to overlook the balance that Louisville has been able to achieve, especially in the last month. The stifling defense never seems to waiver with a Pitino-coached team, but for the first time in several years, the Cardinals also have some legitimate offensive firepower to fall back on. Keep in mind that this is basically the same roster that won five games in five days to win the conference tournament last year, and this year’s group is not only healthier, but will get a bye to start things off. Louisville has the talent, experience and coaching to become the first team since Syracuse in 2005 and 2006 to repeat at Big East Tournament champs.
Prediction: Louisville Cardinals Win the Big East Tournament
2013 Big East Tournament Odds
1655 Cincinnati +2200
1656 DePaul +17500
1657 Georgetown +200
1658 Louisville +150
1659 Marquette +650
1660 Notre Dame +800
1661 Pittsburgh +550
1662 Providence +3000
1663 Rutgers +12500
1664 Seton Hall +12500
1665 South Florida +25000
1666 St John’s +3000
1667 Syracuse +385
1668 Villanova +1000
2013 Big East Conference Tournament Schedule
Tuesday, March 12 – First Round (ESPNU)
No. 13 USF (12-18) vs. No. 12 Seton Hall (14-17) – 7 p.m.
No. 14 DePaul (11-20) vs. No. 11 Rutgers (14-15) – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13 – Second Round (ESPN/ESPN2)
No. 9 Cincinnati (21-10) vs. No. 8 Providence (17-13) – Noon
USF/Seton Hall winner vs. No. 5 Syracuse (23-8) – 2 p.m.
No. 10 St. John’s (16-14) vs. No. 7 Villanova (19-12) – 7 p.m.
Rutgers/DePaul winner vs. No. 6 Notre Dame (23-8) – 9 p.m.
Thursday, March 14 – Quarterfinals (ESPN)
8/9 winner vs. No. 1 Georgetown (24-5) – Noon
5/12/13 winner vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh (24-7) – 2 p.m.
7/10 winner vs. No. 2 Louisville (26-5) – 7 p.m.
6/11/14 winner vs. No. 3 Marquette (23-7) – 9 p.m.
Friday, March 15 – Semifinals (ESPN)
Thursday afternoon winners – 7 p.m.
Thursday evening winners – 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 – Championship (ESPN)
Semifinal winners – 8:30 p.m.
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