By Connor Wilson
As expected, the Big East regular season was nothing short of extraordinary in 2022-23. There were teams that took big leaps, and there were teams that took big falls. Unexpected players performed exceptionally well, while some favorites failed to meet their standards. There were some unexpected outcomes, and some unsung heroes who stepped it up when their team needed them the most. All in all, this past season in the Big East was one of the most memorable in a few years.
With all the excitement from the regular season, it could be easy to overlook the Big East Tournament that starts tomorrow at Madison Square Garden. Four teams enter the tournament ranked in the AP Top 25 with another that just dropped out this past week. There are six or seven teams that could make a legitimate run and win the whole thing, but you can’t count out the rest because it is March after all.
With all that being said, I’ll be previewing the entire tournament, starting with five players to look out for, how each team would fare come Selection Sunday if they earn the auto bid, and give my game-by-game predictions up until I crown a champion. So without further ado, let's get started:
Players to Watch
Bryce Hopkins, Providence: The Kentucky transfer joined Coach Cooley’s squad this season after not playing much in Lexington. Earning a much larger role, Hopkins has broken out and was named to the Big East First Team unanimously this past weekend. He has the ability to take over games scoring the basketball, with three 25+ point games in Big East play. The Friars go as Hopkins goes.
Trey Alexander, Creighton: The Bluejays are very balanced in the starting lineup with five all-league caliber players, but in a single elimination tournament putting points up is a very crucial aspect and a guy that can do that in bunches is Alexander. The sophomore guard went for 17+ nine times this season including a 32 point outburst against DePaul. Alexander has the scoring ability to put his team on his back for stretches.
Jordan Hawkins, UConn: The sophomore guard was also named as a First Team Big East player and for good reason. Hawkins is one of the best shooters not only in the conference, but the entire country. He had 12 games this season with 20+ points and hit five or more triples on six separate occasions. With all of the Huskies fans that will be in attendance at the tournament, the stage is set for Hawkins to have a primetime performance.
Xavier guard Souley Boum
Souley Boum, Xavier: The UTEP transfer was a very underrated pick up by head coach Sean Miller in the offseason. Boum surprised many by making the Big East First Team, surprisingly not as a unanimous selection. As noted with Alexander and Hawkins, having a guard that can get you a bucket at any time is crucial in the postseason, and seeing Boum has gone for 20+ 13 times, including a 33 point outburst against Providence, he is certainly in that group.
Justin Moore, Villanova: The Wildcats certainly didn’t have a storybook start to the season, as they lost five of their first seven games and after winning their Big East opener lost eight of their next 11 conference games. All of those struggles, for the most part, were without a healthy Moore, who tore his achilles in the Elite Eight last season against Houston. Since coming back, Moore has averaged nearly 14 PPG for a red hot Villanova squad.
Bracketology Impacts
The Top 5 teams in this tournament will all be playing in the NCAA Tournament regardless of their outcome at MSG. If any of the other teams win, they will be a “bid stealer” and sneak into the Field of 68.
If Marquette wins the BET, they will most likely be a 3-seed in the NCAAT with the possibility of being a 2-seed. The Golden Eagles will probably be a 3-seed even with an early exit.
If Xavier wins the BET, they will most likely be a 4-seed in the NCAAT with the possibility of being a 3-seed. It would really be 50/50 for the Musketeers.
If Creighton wins the BET, they will most likely be a 5-seed in the NCAAT with the possibility of being a 4-seed. The Bluejays may have the side of the committee after losing many games without Ryan Kalkbrenner.
If UConn wins the BET, they will most likely be a 3-seed in the NCAAT with the possibility of being a 2-seed. The Huskies will receive a big boost from their undefeated non-conference schedule.
If Providence wins the BET, they will most likely be a 6-seed in the NCAAT with the possibility of being a 5-seed. The Friars are the ultimate wild card in the conference when it comes to seeding.
Providence forward Bryce Hopkins
If Villanova or Seton Hall win the BET, they would most likely be an 11-seed in the NCAAT, with the possibility of being a 12-seed.
If St. John’s wins the BET, they would most likely be a 12-seed, with the possibility of being a 13-seed.
If Butler or DePaul win the BET, they will most likely be a 13-seed in the NCAAT with the possibility of being a 14-seed.
If Georgetown wins the BET, they will most likely be a 14-seed in the NCAAT with the possibility of being a 15-seed.
Game By Game Predictions
March 8
3 p.m. - No. 8 St. John’s vs No. 9 Butler
The Red Storm and Bulldogs kick off the tournament on Wednesday afternoon for a chance to take on the No. 1 overall seed Marquette. The two teams split the season series and both teams are in the Top 75 in KenPom defense, so a low scoring game may be expected. With St. John’s playing in one of its home arenas at MSG, I think they will handle Butler.
St. John’s 64, Butler 54
5:30 p.m. - No. 7 Seton Hall vs No. 10 DePaul
The Blue Demons haven’t won a game since they beat a then-Top 10 Xavier team at home on January 18. While sweeping the season series, the Pirates only won by an average of 4.5 PPG over the two games. Despite DePaul playing close with Seton Hall, I think the Pirates won’t have a problem and move on.
Seton Hall 70, DePaul 58
Seton Hall forward Dre Davis
8 p.m. - No. 6 Villanova vs No. 11 Georgetown
The Wildcats are one of the hottest teams in the conference with only one loss since early February. With a healthy Justin Moore combined with the emergence of Eric Dixon, I think Villanova blows by Georgetown in what may be Patrick Ewing’s final game as head coach.
Villanova 83, Georgetown 62
March 9
12 p.m. - No. 1 Marquette vs No. 8 St. John’s
The Golden Eagles earned the No. 1 seed after being picked ninth in the preseason poll. In the opening game of Quarterfinal Thursday, I think they prevail against St. John’s, but Red Storm fans will show out and it may be closer than people expect it to be.
Marquette 75, St. John’s 70
Marquette guard Tyler Kolek
2:30 p.m. - No. 4 UConn vs No. 5 Providence
In front of what will be an extraordinary crowd Thursday afternoon, the Huskies and Friars will face off in what now feels like a must win for Providence after its recent slide. With UConn having won eight of nine, including a dismantling of the Friars in Storrs. Seeing how hot the Huskies have been, it's hard to pick against them at The Garden.
UConn 83, Providence 70
7 p.m. - No. 2 Xavier vs No. 7 Seton Hall
The Musketeers have been short handed the past month or so with no Zach Freemantle and it was just announced this week that he is out for the season. Despite no Freemantle in the lineup, the combination of Colby Jones, Souley Boum, and Jack Nunge still make Xavier tough to beat. Catching the Pirates playing for a second straight day is also a positive for the Musketeers, who should take care of business.
Xavier 85, Seton Hall 62
9:30 p.m. - No. 3 Creighton vs No. 6 Villanova
The night cap of Quarterfinal Thursday would mark a rematch of last year’s championship game between the Wildcats and Bluejays. Villanova finished the regular season winning six of eight and has been playing much better since Justin Moore returned from injury, including a double digit victory over Creighton. Because of this, I’m going with the upset.
Villanova 72, Creighton 68
Villanova forwards Eric Dixon and Brandon Slater
March 10
6:30 p.m. - No 1 Marquette vs No. 4 UConn
In a matchup between the two Big East teams on at least a five game winning streak, the Golden Eagles and Huskies split the season series this year. UConn has both a Top 15 offense and defense according to KenPom, while Marquette has a Top 5 offense, but a defense in the high 60s. Seeing how important defense can be in March, combined with once again the Huskies playing at MSG, I'll go with the 4-seed over the 1-seed.
UConn 74, Marquette 70
9 p.m. No. 2 Xavier vs No. 6 Villanova
In the second semifinal matchup, the Musketeers and Wildcats each won on the road in the teams’ two games this year, but Moore was out for X's win in Philly back in January and Freemantle was absent for the ‘Cats 1-point victory a few weeks ago. With Villanova running on fumes playing for a third straight day with a smaller rotation, I think advantage Xavier to advance to the championship.
Xavier 79, Villanova 65
March 11
6:30 p.m. No. 2 Xavier vs No. 4 UConn
In my Big East Tournament championship game, it will be Xavier taking on UConn. The Musketeers swept the season series, handing the Huskies their first loss of the year on New Year’s Eve and again at Gampel Pavilion about a month later. The two teams match up very well with deep backcourts and frontcourts, but with it being tough to beat a team three times in one season and the home-like environment at MSG, I’ve got the Huskies cutting down the nets and securing the auto-bid for the NCAA Tournament.
UConn 78, Xavier 73
UConn guard Jordan Hawkins
So there you have it. After 10 games and four exciting days in New York City, I’ve got the Huskies winning the Big East Tournament. Coach Hurley’s group is playing some of its best basketball of the season as postseason play arises and it feels like they are due to finally make some noise in the BET since they rejoined the conference a few years ago.
I’ll be in person at MSG all week long, so stay tuned for content on the @AllFactsMedia accounts from all the games!