Ricky Dimon
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This is not your grandfather’s Big East Tournament. In fact, it’s not even your older brother’s Big East Tournament. A handful of school departures and the general reshaping of power across the country in college basketball has reduced what was once one of the biggest and best conferences to a backseat passenger.
Still, this event cannot be entirely dismissed. It still takes place at one of the most revered basketball stadiums in the world (New York’s Madison Square Garden) and it features four teams ranked in the top 25. Marquette, UConn, Xavier and Creighton are all ranked and all a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Providence will be a part of the Big Dance, as well, while Villanova needs to make a run in New York if it wants to a have a chance.
Let’s take a look at the Big East Tournament odds and the best bets to be made.
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Big East Tournament odds to win
It’s not often that a #4 seed is favored to win its conference tournament, but that is the case with UConn in the Big East. However, the Huskies are by no means overwhelmingly expected to cut down the nets at MSG. Marquette, Creighton and Xavier are hot on their trail.
Here is the full list of outright odds:
UConn +230
Marquette +330
Creighton +340
Xavier +550
Villanova +1000
Providence +1500
St. John’s +5500
Georgetown +25000
DePaul +25000
Butler +25000
Best bet: Marquette Golden Eagles +330
There is good value on Marquette as the #1 seed and the second favorite to take home the title from New York. The Golden Eagles were the Big East regular-season champions, finishing 2 games ahead of Xavier with a 17-3 conference record. They are playing their best basketball at the right time, too, having won 6 straight games. Head coach Shaka Smart’s squad has not lost to anyone other than UConn since January 15 and it has not been beaten by anyone outside the top 25 since falling at Providence 103-98 in double-overtime on December 20. Four different players are scoring in double-figures and Kam Jones (15.3 ppg) has produced at least 19 points in 3 of the last 4 contests.
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Best longshot play: Villanova Wildcats +1000
I know these aren’t former head coach Jay Wright’s Wildcats, but the bottom line is this program just knows how to win in March. When the ‘Cats are available at +1000 to win their conference tournament, it’s not an opportunity that I’m got to let pass entirely by the wayside. Villanova won the National Championship in 2016 and 2018 before making another Final Four run last season. It has won 5 of the last 7 and 4 of the last 5 Big East Tournaments. With a 6-2 record in their last 8 games, these Wildcats are peaking at the right time and look poised to make some noise at Madison Square Garden. With Marquette, UConn and Providence all on the other side of the bracket, the path seems favorable.
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