Big East Tournament 2016: TV Schedule and Early Bracket Predictions
Although the Big East looks a lot different than it did a few years ago, the conference is once again one of the best in the nation. The top talent and depth down the line could make the league tournament something special.
In a conference of just 10 teams, the Big East features two squads gunning for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and three or four more hoping to get an at-large bid. Of course, any of them can avoid the worrying on Selection Sunday by winning this tournament and getting an automatic selection.
No matter who wins, it should be an exciting week from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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| March 9 | No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed | 7 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 9 | No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed | 9:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 10 | No. 1 seed vs. Winner 8/9 Game | 12 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 10 | No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed | 2:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 10 | No. 2 seed vs. Winner 7/10 Game | 7 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 10 | No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed | 9:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 11 | TBD Semifinal | 6:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 11 | TBD Semifinal | 9 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| March 12 | TBD Final | 5:30 p.m. | Fox |
Favorite: Villanova
No matter what Villanova does during the regular season, there will be plenty of doubters. The squad has had early exits in the NCAA tournament in each of the past few seasons, and as Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead noted, it has struggled against top competition:
The reputation of a team that handles inferior opponents but struggles in big matchups will stay with the Wildcats until they prove otherwise.
Despite the question marks, Villanova is on its way toward clinching an outright regular-season title with a strong chance of once again earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The team has a lot of depth to score in a variety of ways with Josh Hart also stepping up as a go-to option in big moments.
With a defense that continues to improve both inside and on the perimeter, this is clearly the most talented team in the conference. It will be a challenge for anyone to win a game against the Wildcats on a neutral court.
Sleeper: Seton Hall
Over the last month, Seton Hall has transformed from a talented but inconsistent team to a legitimate contender in the Big East tournament and a squad that can make a run in March Madness.
After tough back-to-back losses to Villanova and Xavier in January, the Pirates were just 13-6 with a few bad defeats on the resume. However, they have turned things around with eight wins in nine games, including a domination of Providence and an upset of Xavier.
According to Fran Fraschilla of ESPN, Nova head coach Jay Wright is someone who saw this coming:
Isaiah Whitehead is living up to expectations and has played at a high level in recent weeks, scoring at least 20 points in six of the last eight games. Desi Rodriguez has been red-hot as well, contributing on both ends of the court and becoming a solid secondary option for Seton Hall.
Although the squad should end up finishing as the No. 3 seed, the team is still a sleeper based on how much it has been overlooked, but that could change this postseason.
Needs It Most: Butler
Based on talent alone, Butler should be in the NCAA tournament field. Roosevelt Jones, Kelan Martin and Kellen Dunham represent an elite backcourt that can be tough to defend in the postseason.
Unfortunately, the results haven't been there, and the Bulldogs are squarely on the bubble. They are 2-7 against the RPI top 50 and almost suffered what would have been a catastrophic loss to Georgetown this past weekend.
Still, head coach Chris Holtmann doesn't appreciate the criticism of his team, per David Woods of the Indianapolis Star:
"Whoever’s out there roasting, they need to put their Twitter and turn it off. They need to turn it off. They don’t have the first clue what it’s like to play on the road. They don’t have the first clue what it’s like to play in the Big East on the road. Listen, Georgetown is not going to lay down for us. No team is. They’re talented, they’re capable.
"
He's right that winning on the road is tough no matter who you are playing, but Butler simply hasn't proved itself when it has needed to. The Big East tournament is the last chance to get the necessary quality wins to earn a bid.
Predicted Winner: Villanova
Aside from the teams already listed, Xavier represents the biggest threat for a title. The Musketeers just beat Villanova at home, and they have a lineup that features six different players who can go off on a given night.
Not only do the top six scorers average at least nine points per game, but everyone on the floor passes the ball well with an unselfish attitude. All the players care about is helping the team win, and this has worked for much of the year.
However, when it comes to winning three games in a row against the top teams in the conference, you have to go with the most consistent team in the field. Villanova plays the best defense, has the most versatile offense and has enough depth to play on back-to-back-to-back nights with little fatigue.
It won't be an easy run, but the No. 1 seed should be able to raise the trophy at the end of the weekend.
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