The 2009 Big East Tournament Vegas odds are out. The big mystery was who would be tapped as the favorite: Pittsburgh, Louisville, or Connecticut? The answer is the Panthers, dubbed by Tom Murray of ScoresOddsPicks.com as the “Most talented team in the nation.” Pittsburgh is +175, while the team they twice dethroned as No. 1 in the nation UConn is +225.

Squeezing in between the two is Louisville at +200. The Cardinals were the regular season champs. Which team is most likely to spoil it for the Big 3? The oddsmakers have Villanova at +600. Syracuse, a team that likely already has clinched an at large bid is +1000.

For those who believe motivation is a positive factor, Providence is +2000 and is a team that must win several games in the tournament to play themselves in. Marquette at +1500 is likely in, but a first-round exit could be costly.

Bob Warner of the basketball betting blog Lines-Maker.com says that the Big East may have the best long shot of any conference insofar as winning the postseason tournament. “Georgetown has underachieved all year long but has the talent to get hot at the right time,” insists Warner. Bodog Life has the Hoyas at +3000 to win the Big East Tournament.

For the winning against the spread Big East Tournament picks check out the champions handicappers at OffshoreInsiders.com