2012 College Basketball Predictions: Big East Odds, Predictions, Favorites and Sleepers

2012 College Basketball Picks: Big East Championship Odds, Predictions, Favorites and Sleepers: For the past few years, the Big East has been the premier basketball conference in the country. Last year was no exception as nine Big East teams received spots in the NCAA Tournament, and Louisville made it all the way to the Final Four. That being said, the conference’s days as a juggernaut could be drawing to a close. West Virginia has already left for the Big 12, and perennial powers Syracuse and Pittsburgh are entering the final seasons in the Big East. Before the conference undergoes a serious makeover, here is how the top contenders stack up for the 2012-13 season.

Big East Conference Odds, Predictions, Favorites and Sleepers

The Favorite

At one point last season, the Louisville Cardinals were on the bubble just to make it into NCAA Tournament, only to catch fire, win the Big East tournament and make it all the way to the Final Four. Eight of the top 10 scorers are back from last year’s team, including speedy point guard Peyton Siva and defensive-minded big man Gorgui Dieng. The X-factor will be sophomore Wayne Blackshear, who was one of the top recruits in the country entering last season but missed all but a handful of games with a shoulder injury. Blackshear’s added punch on the offensive end coupled with Louisville’s always-stifling defense should give the Cardinals a great chance at a Big East title and another deep run in March.

The Dark Horses

The good news for the Syracuse Orange is that they went 34-3 last season, won the Big East regular season title and made it all the way to the Elite Eight. The bad news is that four major contributors are gone from that group, including first-round NBA draft picks Fab Melo and Dion Waiters. Point guard Brandon Triche does provide a nice base for this year’s team to build around, and fellow guard Michael Carter-Williams should thrive in an expanded role. The frontcourt is a little inexperienced, but highly-touted freshman Dajuan Coleman should provide some immediate inside scoring. At the end of the day, this isn’t the most-talented Syracuse team Jim Boeheim has had, but it isn’t bad either. The Orange’s stifling 2-3 zone and efficient half-court offense should keep the Orange very competitive in 2012-13.

All five starters are back from a 22-win team, and not surprisingly, expectations are high for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2012-13. Double-double machine Jack Cooley is the centerpiece of the team and a monster in the frontcourt, but guards Eric Atkins and Scott Martin should provide plenty of scoring from the perimeter, as well. Although scoring can be an issue at times for Mike Brey’s team, the Fighting Irish always seem to be among the best at limiting turnovers. If freshman forward Cameron Biedscheid can live up to the hype, he could go a long way to curing the offensive inconsistencies and getting Notre Dame to the next level.

The Sleeper

Before they bolt for the ACC, the Pittsburgh Panthers could sneak up and steal the Big East crown in their final season in the conference. At their core, the Panthers are physical, defensive-minded team regardless of their roster, and they always seem to be strong on the glass. The key player for this year’s team will be point guard Trey Woodall. Pittsburgh wasn’t the same team when he went down with an injury last year, but when healthy, he is playmaker. This year’s group could also have some more offensive firepower than some recent Pittsburgh teams, assuming transfer Trey Zeigler and freshman big man Scott Adams hit the ground running.

Odds to win the Big East Conference
7231 Cincinnati +1200
7232 Depaul +5000
7233 Georgetown +650
7234 Louisville +200
7235 Marquette +1200
7236 Notre Dame +500
7237 Pittsburgh +350
7238 Providence +1800
7239 Rutgers +2500
7240 St Johns +1200
7241 Seton Hall +1800
7242 South Florida +2000
7243 Syracuse +500
7244 Villanova +2500

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