Big East Tournament 2012 Bracket: Seeds, Odds, Preview and More

This time of year is what makes college basketball one of the best sports to engage in.

Selection Sunday is less than a week away and we are now getting into the major conference tournaments.

Here is what we have to look forward to regarding what some people say is the best conference in the country.

Syracuse wrapped up the regular season Big East Championship with its solid victory over a tough Louisville team.  It has received the No. 1 seed in this years' Big East Tournament and is the clear cut favorite to take the crown and solidify a No. 1 seed in March Madness.

Here are the seeds, times and match-ups for this years Big East Tournament:

Tuesday, March 6 - First Round

Noon: No. 16 DePaul vs. No. 9 Connecticut (Game 1) - ESPN2
2:00 p.m.: No. 13 Pittsburgh vs. No. 12 St. John's (Game 2) - ESPN2
7:00 p.m: No. 15 Providence vs. No. 10 Seton Hall (Game 3) - ESPNU
9:00 p.m.: No. 14 Villanova vs. No. 11 Rutgers (Game 4) - ESPNU

Wednesday, March 7 - Second Round

Noon: Game 1 Winner vs. No. 8 West Virginia (Game 5) - ESPN
2:00 p.m.: Game 2 Winner vs. No. 5 Georgetown (Game 6) - ESPN
7:00 p.m.: Game 3 Winner vs. No. 7 Louisville (Game 7) - ESPN
9:00 p.m.: Game 4 Winner vs. No. 6 USF (Game 8) - ESPN

Thursday, March 8 - Quarterfinals

Noon: Game 5 Winner vs. No. 1 Syracuse (Game 9) - ESPN
2:00 p.m.: Game 6 Winner vs. No. 4 Cincinnati (Game 10) - ESPN
7:00 p.m.: Game 7 Winner vs. No. 2 Marquette (Game 11) - ESPN
9:00 p.m.: Game 8 Winner vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (Game 12) - ESPN

Friday, March 9 - Semifinals

7:00 p.m.: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner - ESPN
9:00 p.m.: Game 11 Winner vs. Game 12 Winner - ESPN

Saturday, March 10 - Championship Game

9:00 p.m.: Semifinal Winners - ESPN

Without a doubt, Syracuse has a favorable path to the Championship, as well it should.

But, who else has a chance to compete for the most coveted conference championship in the country?

Take a look at the Las Vegas odds that came out today after the seeds were released:

Syracuse +120

Marquette +300

Georgetown +700

Notre Dame +800

Cincinnati +800

Louisville +1000

South Florida +1500

West Virginia +2500

Connecticut +4000

Pittsburgh +8500

Seton Hall +9000

Rutgers +12500

St. John's +20000

Villanova +30000

Providence +40000

DePaul +75000

Predictions:

Team that could take the crown, other than Syracuse: Georgetown

Team with the most to lose: West Virginia

Championship Prediction: Syracuse over Notre Dame 71-62