- In what many considered a down year for the conference, the Big East still managed to place nine teams in the NCAA Tournament field of 68. The one team who didn’t make it that could have had an argument is Seton Hall. Their coach, Kevin Willard, was astonished the Pirates’ strong non-conference schedule didn’t play a bigger factor. But upon closer examination, the only team that sticks out that might not have deserved its bid was Iona, and the numbers actually support the Gaels’ case. The bottom line is that the Pirates were once safely in the Tournament and they played themselves out of it down the stretch. It’s disappointing to be left out, but their exclusion is hardly indefensible.
- The West Region has a pair of Big East teams that will be trendy Final Four picks in Louisville and Marquette. Top seed Michigan State is thought to be the weakest No. 1 seed and Missouri’s lack of depth seems to make the physicality of the Cardinals and Golden Eagles a decided advantage. Former coach Pete Gillen is sticking with the Spartans but the two teams from the Big East have to like their chances. Louisville ran roughshod over everyone in the Big East Tournament and Marquette has experience and balance. What else do they have going for them? They won’t have to play each other until a potential Elite Eight matchup.
- The team breathing the largest sigh of relief right now should be the West Virginia Mountaineers. After blowing a late lead in the conference tournament to Connecticut, things looked iffy for Bob Huggins and company, but then they learned they landed a favorable matchup with Gonzaga and a de facto home game in nearby Pittsburgh. The ‘Zags are downplaying the travel disadvantage, but it shouldn’t be discounted entirely, as the Mountaineers will travel well and Spokane is pretty far across the country on short notice. Huggins has a lot to be thankful for right now.
- ESPN‘s Myron Medcalf weighed in with 10 bold predictions about the upcoming tournament, and his first prediction was that no Big East team would be playing in the Final Four this year. Medcalf has watched a lot of college basketball this season and it is hard to argue with his logic. Syracuse has a difficult region to navigate and all of the other teams have holes. I think that a few teams from the conference have a chance to make it to New Orleans, but I want to wimp out and watch the first two rounds before I predict any of them will end up there.
- UConn coach Jim Calhoun and Kentucky coach John Calipari could square off in the second round if the Huskies can first take care of business against Iowa State. Mountains will crumble and the earth will shake. Okay so maybe this year’s matchup doesn’t have quite as much intrigue because of the Wildcats’ domination and the Huskies’ struggles, but that the underdog role is one that Calhoun is relishing right now and with good reason. Ever the competitor, Calhoun is going to have his team motivated and excited to play. And if they can keep some momentum from their success in the Big East Tournament, they might have a chance to beat the Wildcats.