The Big East tournament is always a fantastic tournament from start to finish. If there is any conference where we can see a good tournament run by an underdog, this would be the tournament. There is no favorite as six to seven teams can legitimately win this conference tournament. Here are my predictions for the 2023 Big East basketball tournament.
The Betting Odds
UCONN +280
Marquette +290
Creighton +340
Xavier +430
Villanova +800
Providence +1500
Seton Hall +3000
St. John’s +5500
Georgetown +25000
DePaul +25000
Butler +25000
The Bracket
Does Marquette Have What It Takes?
Since 2010, the regular season champion has won the Big East tournament three times (all three Villanova). However, every top team besides Villanova has not won the Big East tournament. This creates some cause for concern for head coach Shaka Smart. The Golden Eagles rank 18th in the country in points per game (81). Marquette is led by the trio of Kam Jones, Tyler Kolek and Oliver Maxence-Prosper. Jones averages 15.3 points per game. Kolek, who is the Big East player of the year, averages 12.7 points per game to go along with 3.9 rebounds per game and 7.9 assists per game as well. Maxence-Prosper averages 12.5 points per game to go along with 4.8 rebounds per game as well. I think Marquette could make a run in the NCAA tournament, but I don’t see them going far in the Big East tournament.
Does Villanova Go On A Run?
Villanova is looking like the fantastic UConn team back in Kemba Walker’s glory days. That Huskies team went on a run late, won the Big East tournament and went on to win a National Championship. Kyle Neptune has this team playing well as of late and they are healthy now. Villanova is led by forward Eric Dixon who averages 15.7 points per game to go along with 6.4 rebounds per game. Two names that they need healthy on this run are Justin Moore (13.6 points per game in 11 games this season) and Cam Whitmore (12.6 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds per game in 24 games this season). If Villanova is going to make their cinderella type run here, they need these three guys to play their best ball all year long.
Does The Huskies Have That March Magic?
The Huskies kicked off the 2022-2023 campaign with a great start. UConn averages 79 points per game, which is ranked 37th in the country. Two big names for the Huskies are Adama Sonogo and Jordan Hawkins. Sonogo averages 16.9 points per game to go along with 7.2 rebounds per game. Hawkisn averages 16.4 points per game to go along with 3.9 rebounds per game as well. Another key piece is point guard Tristen Newton. Newton came in this year and had to adjust to a different role and I think he did a fantastic job at it. This team goes deep on the bench and if they stay healthy, they will be a tough team to beat in this tournament.
The Don’s Winner
I really like this tournament this year more than I have liked it in year’s past. However, this year I am riding with the UConn Huskies +280 in this one. This Huskies team is a lot better than what there record is showing. UConn was a threat early on this season and I think that now more than ever they are a threat in the Big East tournament.
The Don’s Game By Game Predictions
First Round
8 St John’s over 9 Butler
7 Seton Hall over 10 DePaul
6 Villanova over 11 Georgetown
Quarterfinals
8 St. John’s over 1 Marquette
4 UCONN over 5 Providence
2 Xavier over 7 Seton Hall
6 Villanova over 3 Creighton
Semifinals
4 UCONN over 8 St. John’s
6 Villanova over 2 Xavier
Finals
4 UCONN over 6 Villanova