Big East Tournament 2012: Odds for Every Team to Win

This week, Madison Square Garden will host 16 teams duking it out in the Big East Tournament. With all of the talented teams involved, it's one of the most difficult events to win in all of collegiate athletics.

Connecticut's riveting run to the conference championship last year reminds us that anything can happen in these playoffs.

Will anyone be able to knock off the vaunted Syracuse Orange? Do teams like Seton Hall, West Virginia and South Florida actually have a shot at winning the title? Who are the top contenders besides the 'Cuse?

Let's take a look at each team's odds of cutting down the nets in New York City.

DePaul Blue Demons

Up until Saturday's game against Seton Hall, DePaul had struggled to slow teams down in conference play.

A team with such a poor defensive front would have to play a perfect game five days in a row in order to have an outside shot at running the table.

As it is, the Blue Demons' chances of getting out of the first round against Connecticut are slim.

Big East Title odds: 100-1

Villanova Wildcats

In a down year for Villanova, Jay Wright's squad has battled inconsistency and lost eight of its last 10 games.

The Wildcats just beat Rutgers on the road last week, so a first-round win against the Scarlet Knights is definitely doable. That being said, I would be surprised to see Maalik Wayns and company make it to the quarterfinals.

Big East Title odds: 75-1

Providence Friars

The Providence Friars had a weak schedule this year, and they still couldn't get to .500.

Wins over Louisville and Connecticut were bright spots in what was otherwise a disappointing year for Ed Cooley in his first campaign as head coach.

A first-round showdown with the Seton Hall Pirates makes for an uphill battle for the Friars from day one.

Big East Title odds: 60-1

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers hasn't even put together a two-game winning streak in the Big East this season, so it's hard to imagine them stringing five together.

They've been able to defend better than most of the other bottom-dwelling conference teams, but the offense hasn't been much to brag about. In order to succeed in New York, they'll need to establish some semblance of consistency.

Big East Title odds: 50-1

St. John's Red Storm

The hometown St. John's Red Storm mustered just six conference wins this season. Defense hasn't been their strong suit, but they do have some weapons that could do damage in the Garden.

Yes, they're a young team. But freshmen D'Angelo Harrison and Moe Harkless are a dangerous inside-outside combo who took down Cincinnati, Notre Dame and West Virginia.

However, it will take a lot more than a couple of good performances to pull off a miracle run this week.

Big East Title odds: 35-1

Pittsburgh Panthers

It's not often that Jamie Dixon's Pittsburgh squad is on the outside looking in, but the Panthers' only chance of making the NCAA bracket is a Big East tourney title.

I like their chances against St. John's in the opening game, but Ashton Gibbs and company will be overmatched in the second round against Georgetown.

The 2011-2012 season turned out to be more of a rebuilding year for Pittsburgh than anyone thought.

Big East Title odds: 30-1

Seton Hall Pirates

For most of February, it seemed like Seton Hall was getting back on track. Then an overtime loss to Rutgers and a crushing loss to DePaul concluded the Pirates' regular season.

Can Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope carry the team to the big dance with an impressive showing in the Garden?

A trip to the quarterfinals or semifinals would likely secure an NCAA at-large berth for Seton Hall. Their Big East Championship odds still aren't great.

Big East Title odds: 25-1

South Florida Bulls

In order to walk away victorious in the Big Apple, the South Florida Bulls will need to have a fantastic shooting week.

Defense? No problem. The Bulls' stifling defense is tops in the Big East, and has stymied even the best offenses, including that of Syracuse. 

But not every game in the tournament will be played in the 50-point range. They can't afford to get caught in a shootout with the top programs in the conference.

Big East Title odds: 25-1

Connecticut Huskies

Jeremy Lamb and the Connecticut Huskies had an extremely high strength of schedule this season.

But having the top strength of schedule doesn't help your resume tremendously when you lose against all the top-tier teams on the calendar.

Although they're exceedingly athletic at every position, UConn underachieved and slipped down the rankings continuously throughout the year.

What are the chances the Huskies pull off another stunning run as the No. 9 team in the conference tournament?

Big East Title odds: 25-1

West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia has some dynamic pieces on its team in forwards Kevin Jones and Deniz Kilicli, along with guard Darryl Bryant.

Unfortunately, the Mountaineers have struggled with outside shooting for most of the season, unable to keep pace with the upper-echelon teams in the conference.

Anything beyond the quarterfinals would be overachieving for Bob Huggins' crew.

Big East Title odds: 20-1

Louisville Cardinals

When Rick Pitino's troops are in sync, they're one of the best teams in the conference. The 22-9 Louisville Cardinals put together a nice six-game winning streak from late January to mid-February.

They're talented, but it's tough for me to believe that they can match the likes of Georgetown, Marquette and Syracuse shot-for-shot.

Louisville is 31 percent from long range this season, as Chris Smith is their only true threat behind the arc.

Big East Title odds: 15-1

Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati big man Yancy Gates is surrounded by a solid group of guards, making the Bearcats my sleeper pick to win the Big East title.

Wins against Georgetown, Marquette and Louisville prove that Mick Cronin's club has the tools to take down the best teams in the league.

If Dion Dixon, Cashmere Wright and Sean Kilpatrick get hot, the trophy is certainly attainable, especially with a double-bye in hand.

Big East Title odds: 13-1

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame's stirring upset victory over the top-ranked Syracuse Orange sparked a nine-game winning streak for the Irish.

Mike Brey's resilient group dealt with the loss of Tim Abromaitis better than anyone expected. Jack Cooley came up huge in the low post while the Irish guards held their own against all competition.

However, Notre Dame's last three games have been sub-par. The Irish lost to St. John's and Georgetown, then they capped the regular season with a too-tight home victory over Providence.

Big East Title odds: 11-1

Georgetown Hoyas

In 16 of its 29 games, Georgetown has kept its opponents' scoring output in the 40s or 50s. The Hoyas are arguably the best defensive team in the Big East, and they'll need every scrap of that defense to win the whole league.

Offensively, John Thompson's squad hasn't been too shabby eithe. Jason Clark, Hollis Thompson and Henry Sims have all played well this season. 

The Hoyas don't get a double-bye, but I believe they have a better chance at winning than a couple of the double-bye schools.

Big East Title odds: 9-1

Marquette Golden Eagles

The craziness of the Big East season caught up to almost every team, but Marquette managed to stay above the fray and and win with regularity. 

Buzz Williams' Golden Eagles is the highest-scoring team in the conference. They can get up and down the floor in a hurry, but they're also good at working diligently for the best shot.

It also helps when your top shot-takers, Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder, are shooting 40 and 36 percent respectively from three-point range.

Big East Title odds: 8-1

Syracuse Orange

With a 30-1 regular season record, Syracuse was head and shoulders above all challengers in the conference.

Jim Boeheim's zone seems to get better every year, and his collection of talent executes the system brilliantly.

But the Orange aren't invincible. If teams can keep Syracuse in front of them and avoid giving up transition buckets, they can keep the game close.

With the most talented roster in the league and a strong following at Madison Square Garden, the Orange are the odds-on favorite to claim the Big East crown.

Big East Title odds: 7-2