This is part 23 of a 32-part series covering each conference and conference tournament. These previews are meant to provide every bracketologist with the information they need to make informed projections about the teams of the conference.
The standings:
Villanova 16-2
Creighton 14-4
Xavier 10-8
Providence 10-8
St John's 10-8
Marquette 9-9
Georgetown 8-10
Seton Hall 6-12
Butler 4-14
DePaul 3-15
Tournament format:
Madison Square Garden! All 10 are there.
The matchups:
8) Seton Hall (15-16) vs. 9) Butler (14-16)
7) Georgetown (17-13) vs. 10) DePaul (11-20)
1) Villanova (28-3) vs. 8/9 winner
4) Providence (20-11) vs. 5) St John's (20-11)
2) Creighton (24-6) vs. 7/10 winner
3) Xavier (20-11) vs. 6) Marquette (17-14)
The stakes:
Wow, this bracket sets up nicely for everyone's needs. First, the Villanova/Creighton thing. If Nova can beat Creighton, they just might be a one seed. Anything less and they probably get leapfrogged. By the way, this includes if they win the tournament but don't beat Creighton. They need Creighton to get through in order to get that signature win chance.
Xavier is one step ahead of the other Big East bubble teams. All they might need is that win over Marquette. The N-Cincinnati win is the trump card they can play over the others. The game against Creighton (presumably) would then be a house money chance for them.
Providence and St John's. Well, this is simple. Loser is out. Period. Winner probably then has to beat Nova to get in the field of 68 for sure. Simple, isn't it?
Georgetown is almost dead...needs to beat Creighton AND Xavier probably, and anything less isn't good enough. Too many bad losses, and two of the signature wins (Michigan St and Kansas St) are fading. You can make an argument with just a win over Creighton, and I'll listen, but it doesn't feel right.
Marquette's probably safely in the NIT. No other postseason hopes, unless Seton Hall somehow steals a CBI bid or something.
No comments:
Post a Comment