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Big East basketball: 2024 Conference Tournament Preview

Madison Square Garden will be buzzing with energy as the Big East Tournament tips off. With half of the Big East teams finding themselves in the thick of the NCAA tournament bubble, who will help put themselves on the right side - and wrong side of the bubble?

By Jack Gutzler

Connecticut v Marquette
Connecticut v Marquette / Patrick McDermott/GettyImages
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Quarterfinal matchups

1) Connecticut vs. 8) Butler

The Huskies are without question the team to beat in the Big East Tournament and defeating UConn is a tall order for any team. Despite UConn sweeping the season series between these two, Butler was extremely competitive in both games, with the Huskies squeaking by with single digit wins in each of the two matchups. This has the potential to be a trap game for the Huskies but ultimately, UConn still prevails in a similar result to the previous two games.

Prediction: UConn 76 - Butler 70

2) Creighton vs. 7) Providence

The Friars took down Creighton at home in early February to split the season series between the two teams. Since then, Creighton has won seven of eight, including a dominant victory over then no. 1 UConn. On the flip side, Providence has been 4-4 since that Creighton and will need this win if they want to be in the NCAA tournament. Expect Creighton's hot streak will continue as they roll into the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.

Prediction: Creighton 83 - Providence 66

3) Marquette vs. 6) Villanova

Marquette enters the Big East Tournament with many questions, mostly surrounding 2023 Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek and his oblique injury. It is not yet clear if Kolek will play in the Big East Tournament and it is very possible he ultimately sits out to prepare for the NCAA tournament. Villanova will have a huge opportunity to add a big win to their resume, and with the uncertainty surrounding Marquette, I think the Wildcats pull off the upset.

Prediction: Villanova 75 - Marquette 73

4) Seton Hall vs. 5) St. John's

There will be a special twist to this matchup as the game will be labeled as a home game for St. John's rather than a neutral site game as is the case for everyone else. However, Seton Hall swept the Red Storm in the regular season tilt, including a comeback win a few weeks ago which led to Rick Pitino's infamous press conference rant. Since that rant, St. John's is undefeated and has put themselves right back on the tournament bubble. A win in this one would go a long way towards their NCAA tournament hopes and I think they do exactly that.

Prediction: St. John's 82 - Seton Hall 73

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