Big East Tournament: Where Madness Blooms in the Garden
The Big East Tournament returns to legendary Madison Square Garden March 13th-16th, and this year’s edition promises to be a wild ride. Fox Sports will broadcast the action as the Big East’s unpredictable parity sets the stage for underdogs to shine. Check in frequently for our predictions and picks on key games.
Upsets are the Rule, Not the Exception
Remember, the Big East is a battleground where anyone can take down a giant. Top seeds might already be looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, making them risky bets. Instead, the real value lies in hungry, momentum-driven underdogs who have big wins in their back pockets.
The Dark Horses
Forget about Georgetown and DePaul – this tournament is ripe for surprises from teams like:
- Butler: Big road wins over Marquette, Villanova, and Creighton prove their pedigree, though a recent slump has us cautious. They lost 5 straight before beating Georgetown and Xavier. Butler could be dangerous.
- Seton Hall: They’ve beaten top teams like UConn and Marquette, but recent blowout losses dampen their momentum.
- St. John’s: Their Madison Square Garden comfort zone and a huge win over Villanova could make them a hometown upset special.
Teams to Watch, But Not Necessarily Bet
- Xavier: Losing skid and lackluster quad one wins make them iffy.
- Providence: Great home wins, but no significant road victories.
The Top Dogs
- Villanova, Marquette, Creighton, and UConn are fearsome. If they find themselves as underdogs (or even with short-priced favs), consider a play. Remember, Villanova beat UNC and Texas Tech on neutral courts and has a road win over Creighton.
Connecticut: The Sleeping Giant?
UConn’s a national powerhouse, but will they go all-out in the Big East Tournament if their NCAA seeding is secure? That could spell opportunity for opponents.
The Key: Momentum, Road Warriors, and Value
Look for teams with recent winning streaks and proven road victories. When betting, the Big East Tournament (and March Madness in general) is about finding value with underdogs and short priced favorites that have some momentum and proven ability to beat higher ranked teams.
Odds To Win
These odds are just a guideline. Check in with Betonline or Wagerweb for the most up to date odds.
UConn -135
Marquette +320
Creighton +470
Villanova +2200
Seton Hall +2500
St. John’s +2500
Xavier +5000
Providence +7500
Butler +10000
Georgetown +25000
DePaul +25000
We’d take the horse racing approach here and we would toss out the favorite UCONN. While Creighton and Marquette would be next in line we’d pass them up and focus on Villanova, Seton Hall, St John’s and Butler to try and make a big score.
Check back as the Big East Tournament progresses as we’ll have some picks to offer as the tourney moves along and we’ll also offer score predictions for every game on the board.