Big East postseason predictions
Disclaimer: The NCAA tournament predictions, rankings and comments ALL reflect where teams are AT THIS MOMENT. With that in mind, enjoy:
NCAA TOURNAMENT LOCKS
1. Pittsburgh (22-3, 10-1): Fully staked its claim as the Big East's top team by beating Villanova, West Virginia -- both on road -- and Providence at home in the past week. Should be a No. 2 seed.
2. Georgetown (18-5, 8-2): Fully staked its claim as the Big East's No. 2 team by beating Marquette at home on Saturday. Game was much closer than final of 76-58 indicates, but Green, Hibbert were just too much. They will be for any team in the NCAA, too, as Hoyas will garner a No. 4 seed.
3. Marquette (21-5, 8-3): Clearly the Big East's next-best team. Have won at Pitt, and other than G'town loss, other two losses came in early January. James has been in a slump. It's time for him to bust out and help Golden Eagles to a No. 5 seed.
4. West Virginia (19-5, 7-4): People have been doubting this team all along, but they proved themselves by beating UCLA in a game that wasn't even semi-close until the very end. Tough final 5 games ahead: Going 3-2 could lock in a No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
NCAA LIKELIES
5. Villanova (17-7, 5-5): One of Big East's hottest teams, THE Nova could get as a high as a No. 6 seed if it continues to win. Have three gimmees (Cincy, Rutgers, Syracuse), two toughies (G'town, at Marquette) and a toss-up (at UConn) in final 6. Are in with 3-3; playing for a good seed with 4-2.
6. Notre Dame (18-6, 6-5): Irish are in as of now but must win final two road games (Cincy, Rutgers) and win two of three home games (Providence, DePaul, Marquette) to prove they're worthy and for real. Likely a No. 7 seed.
NCAA BUBBLE
7. Louisville (17-8, 7-4): Cardinals don't have the numbers on their side, meaning their RPI, which at last week was 61 -- behind even Syracuse, which definitely is out. Needs to win at minimum 3 of last 5, which includes at Pitt and at Marquette back to back, and then 1 at the Garden to get in.
8. Syracuse (17-8, 6-5): St. John's win keeps Orange's hopes on life support, but because of their bad RPI, they'll have to win 4 of final 5 -- which includes at Nova, at Providence and vs. G'town -- to get in.
NIT
9. Providence (15-8, 5-5): Fought hard at Pitt, but needed that win to get back in the thick of things. Has 3 easy games (at USF, St. John's, 'Cuse) and one toss-up (WVU) in final 5, so they still might be able to make some noise, but it's doubtful, with an RPI of 52 (last week).
10. DePaul (14-11, 5-6): Got a lucky but hard-fought win over Notre Dame to revive its postseason chances and has 3 very winnable games, including USF twice, in final 5. 8-8 finish and strong NIT run looks likely.
11. Connecticut (15-9, 4-6): Were never in it on road against average Georgia Tech team and is the worst free-throw shooting team I've ever seen. Still, the sked is there to finish 4-2 and come close to winning 20 games.
12. St. John's (14-11, 5-7): Will all but clinch a Garden berth if they beat Rutgers on Thursday. Should finish 2-3 (2-2 in league), which will be enough to get into NIT considering some of the quality wins they've had.
SAY GOODNIGHT, GRACIE
13. Seton Hall (12-11, 3-7): Has only 2 truly winnable games left (USF, at Cincy) and will have to steal one (Wednesday at UConn???) to have any hope of making the Garden.
14. South Florida (12-13, 3-8): Every game left is both winnable and losable for the Bulls, but 0-5 much more likely than 5-0. I'll call it 1-4, beating DePaul at home.
15. Rutgers (10-15, 3-9): Only one true winnable game left, and that's Thursday at St. John's. Will have a shot at home vs. UConn, too, but I'm not calling it truly winnable. I suppose 11-18, 4-12 is better than most were expecting in early December.
16. Cincinnati (10-14, 1-9): Best chance to win another game comes at home against Seton Hall. Really blew it late against Rutgers, and that could cause the usually hard-clawing Bearcats to totally pack it in.
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