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Big East Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 16: The Big East logo before the Championship game of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 16: The Big East logo before the Championship game of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 15: Baldwin of the Bulldogs listens. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 15: Baldwin of the Bulldogs listens. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Breaking down the upper half

5. Butler Bulldogs (22-9, 10-8)

Butler was once ranked in the Top 10 nationally before injuries seemingly derailed the team. Losing Christian David for the season caused a huge drop in the Dawgs’ elite defensive efficiency as did the absence of point guard Aaron Thompson for two somewhat extended stretched. Tertiary big man Derrik Smits also missed time as Butler’s depth was critically depleted. Now, though, Butler is the healthiest it has been since starting 15-1 and has won three straight games heading into the BET. Are the Dawgs back to playing like an elite team? Possibly.

4. Providence Friars (19-12, 12-6)

Providence is one of the hottest teams in the entire country at the moment. Despite starting this entire campaign with a horrid set of performances in non-conference play, the Friars have somehow played their way into safe positioning with regard to the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Ed Cooley has masterminded this impressive turnaround as the team has won six straight games to earn the No. 4 seed. The Friars could win this thing in MSG.

T-1 (3 seed). Seton Hall Pirates (21-9, 13-5)

Seton Hall will enter the Big East Tournament having lost both of its last two games. While this did cause the Pirates to lose their outright regular-season title (just a share) and fall to the No. 3 seed at the BET, the losses to Villanova and Creighton are forgivable. With a balanced attack that can win on either end of the floor, the Pirates are a very dangerous team poised to make a deep run in March. Myles Powell is a stud and there are strong defensive pieces around him.

T-1 (2 seed). Villanova Wildcats (24-7, 13-5)

Villanova has quietly flown under the radar for the past few weeks. With Creighton and Providence soaring, Villanova’s hot streak (victors in seven of its last eight games) has largely gone unnoticed. Head coach Jay Wright’s team was able to sneak into a share of the regular-season conference title and could be poised for as high as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Certainly not a squad to overlook with their potent offensive abilities.

T-1 (1 seed). Creighton Bluejays (24-7, 13-5)

Speaking of elite scoring teams, Creighton is exactly that. The Bluejays hold the third-best adjusted offensive efficiency rating in the entire country and have torn through their competition over the past two months. Creighton enters the Big East Tournament having won 10 of its last 12 conference games (surprisingly, its only two losses were blowouts). Star guard Marcus Zegarowski is doubtful for the first round of the BET, though, and his recovery will play a major role in how far they can go at MSG. Considering Creighton is going to land a Top 4 seed to the NCAAT regardless, the team will likely be cautious with Zegarowski so he’s ready to go at the Big Dance.

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