It isn’t quite NCAA Tournament time but, for many NCAA hoops betting fans, the Big East Tournament is the next best thing. It’s virtually peerless among the conference tourneys, with an incredibly deep field and possibility 10 teams out of that conference alone that could make the field of 68 for the NCAA Tournament.
The Big East tourney starts Tuesday. Who has the inside track to win it all? Here’s a look at the top contenders and, of course, a betting pick.
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS (27-4)
Sportsbook odds: +200
After edging out Notre Dame for the conference title, the Panthers are viewed as the favorite or at least the co-favorite by most sports betting sharps. Pittsburgh gets the job done with outstanding backcourt play from Ashton Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker. But the Panthers will need guys like Gilbert Brown and Gary McGhee to step up under the basket if they want to hold off the other powerhouses.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (25-5)
Sportsbook odds: +200
The Irish will be just as popular of a pick as Pittsburgh this year. Ben Hansbrough has matured into a great team leader and Notre Dame is hot, with just one loss in its last 12 games. The win over UConn after Hansbrough fouled out also proved that this isn’t a one-man team.
SYRACUSE ORANGE (+25-6)
Sportsbook odds: +300
Syracuse is a perennial contender in the Big East but does it have the horses to run with the other big boys? Scoop Jardine and Rick Jackson are good at what they do – passing and rebounding, respectivley – but Syracuse arguably lacks the gamebreaking scorer that teams like Pittsburgh, Notre dame and UConn have.
ST. JOHN’S RED STORM (20-10)
Sportsbook odds: +650
Sniff around any betting circle and you’ll quickly learn that St. John’s is the hottest sleeper pick to win the Big East Tournament. The Red Storm went 7-1 at Madison Square Garden, the host venue, this season and beat both Notre Dame and Pittsburgh there. St. John’s is another team that does have that elite go-to guy that can make a difference: Dwight Hardy.
GEORGETOWN HOYAS (21-9)
Sportsbook odds: +1200
Georgetown limps into the tourney having lost four of five, all within Big East play, and its main ball distributor, Chris Wright, is out indefinitely after hand surgery. This sports betting blog suggests you stay away from the Hoyas.
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS (20-10)
Sportsbook odds: +1200
Last year, West Virginia was the talk of the country leading up to March Madness and won the Big East. This year, the Mountaineers are relegated to sleeper status. However, we shouldn’t count them out. Yeah, they’ve struggled against juggernauts like Pittsburgh, but Casey Mitchell really showed some clutch ability down the stretch. He could lead West Virginia to some upsets in this tournament.
CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (21-9)
Sportsbook odds: +2000
Instead of Cincinnati or Villanova, I’ll go with UConn as the final team to consider in the Big East. The Huskies are struggling badly, losing four of five to enter the tourney, but they still have that crucial X-factor in Kemba Walker. I know Cincy is the hotter team but UConn’s one win over its last five came against the Bearcats.
THE PICK
It feels like every team has a shot to win the uber-competitive Big East. St. John’s and West Virginia feel like the most intriguing sleepers; Pittsburgh and Notre Dame stand out among the top contenders. In the end, I like the Irish. They knocked out Pittsburgh last year and I think the inside presence of Hansbrough and guys like Carleton Scott will be too much for Pitt to handle should they meet in the final.
Today’s free pick: Notre Dame +200