2012 Big East Tournament Odds and Predictions to Win 2012 Big East Tournament – 2012 Big East Conference Championship Favorites, Sleepers, Schedule and TV Listings plus Expert Picks: If the NCAA tournament is the main course in March, then the Big East tournament is the appetizer. Held at Madison Square Garden, the deepest and toughest conference in the country produces five straight days of action-packed basketball, with buzzer beaters, overtime and upsets a normal occurrence. Last year, the Connecticut Huskies began their national championship run in the Big East tournament, winning five games in five days to take the conference tournament crown. Whether or not a new team will go on a similar run this season remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that the Big East tournament won’t disappoint.
The Favorite – 2012 Big East Tournament Odds, Predictions and Expert Picks
With a 30-1 record, including a 5-0 mark against teams ranked in the top 25, during the regular season, the second-ranked Syracuse Orange left little doubt that it was the best team in the Big East and arguably the country. Syracuse’s patented 2-3 zone has been stifling opponents on the defensive end, and a deep roster features seven legitimate scoring options and plenty of athletic defenders. The Orange doesn’t have a single superstar and isn’t the flashiest team, but they are solid in every facet of the game. Given Syracuse’s near-perfect record, betting against them in the conference tournament is a bad idea.
The Dark Horses – 2012 Big East Tournament Odds, Predictions and Expert Picks
The fastest team in Big East is the ninth-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles (24-6), and they have been outrunning and outscoring opponents all season. The Golden Eagles lead the conference in points per game and are sixth in the country in assists per game. Marquette is always in attack mode in transition, and guard Darius Johnson-Odom and forward Jae Crowder lead the explosive offensive attack. The two players are averaging more than 35 points per game combined, and they also lead an opportunistic defense that fuels the team’s transition offense. The Golden Eagles can struggle to score in the half court at times, but as their record suggests, they make sure the tempo is in their favor most of the game.
Defense and motion offense has been the calling card for the Georgetown Hoyas (22-7) for years, and this season was no exception. The Hoyas finished tied for fourth in the Big East and enter the conference tournament ranked 14th nationally. Georgetown also brings the stingiest defense in the tournament, and when the Hoyas control the tempo, they are tough to beat. On the same note, Georgetown struggles to play from behind, and a lack of perimeter scoring inevitably leads to a lot of close games. If the Hoyas do win the Big East tournament, it is bound to be one of the most exciting runs in recent memory.
After dropping games left and right to open the season, the 23rd-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (21-10) caught fire in Big East play, winning nine in a row at one point to finish third in the conference standings. During Notre Dame’s winning streak, they became the only team to date to take down the Syracuse Orange, and they also knocked off Marquette. Notre Dame has four players scoring more than 12 points per game, and as a team, the Fighting Irish score well from the perimeter and don’t turn the ball over. With victories over the top two teams in the conference, there is no reason to think the Fighting Irish don’t have a chance to do it again and win the tournament.
Sleeper Special – 2012 Big East Tournament Odds, Predictions and Expert Picks
After jumping out to a fast start and reaching No. 4 in the country, injuries ravaged the Louisville Cardinals (22-9), resulting in a 10-8 Big East record. However, leading-scorer Kyle Kuric, Chane Behanan and highly-touted freshman Wayne Blackshear are all healthy in time for the conference tournament. With speedy point guard Peyton Siva running the show and having all his weapons at his disposal, the Cardinals are a much more dangerous team. A healthy Louisville team could be a sleeping giant.
2012 MEAC Tournament Predictions from NSAwins.com: Georgetown to WIN
2012 Big East Tournament Odds
6361 Cincinnati +1200
6362 Connecticut +2000
6363 Georgetown +500
6364 Louisville +1000
6365 Marquette +285
6366 Notre Dame +500
6368 Seton Hall +3500
6369 South Florida +1500
6370 St Johns +3000
6371 Syracuse +100
6372 West Virginia +1500
6373 Field +1800
2012 Big East Tournament Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule:
Tuesday, March 6 – First Round
Noon ET No. 16 DePaul vs. No. 9 Connecticut (Game 1) – ESPN2
2:00 PM ET No. 13 Pittsburgh vs. No. 12 St. John’s (Game 2) – ESPN2
7:00 PM ET No. 15 Providence vs. No. 10 Seton Hall (Game 3) – ESPNU
9:00 PM ET No. 14 Villanova vs. No. 11 Rutgers (Game 4) – ESPNU
Wednesday, March 7 – Second Round
Noon ET Game 1 Winner vs. No. 8 West Virginia (Game 5) – ESPN
2:00 PM ET Game 2 Winner vs. No. 5 Georgetown (Game 6) – ESPN
7:00 PM ET Game 3 Winner vs. No. 7 Louisville (Game 7) – ESPN
9:00 PM ET Game 4 Winner vs. No. 6 USF (Game 8) – ESPN
Thursday, March 8 – Quarterfinals
Noon ET Game 5 Winner vs. No. 1 Syracuse (Game 9) – ESPN
2:00 PM ET Game 6 Winner vs. No. 4 Cincinnati (Game 10) – ESPN
7:00 PM ET Game 7 Winner vs. No. 2 Marquette (Game 11) – ESPN
9:00 PM ET Game 8 Winner vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (Game 12) – ESPN
Friday, March 9 – Semifinals
7:00 PM ET Game 9 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner – ESPN
9:00 PM ET Game 11 Winner vs. Game 12 Winner – ESPN
Saturday, March 10 – Championship Game
9:00 PM ET Semifinal Winners – ESPN
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