Bracket: http://www.bigeast.org/fls/19400/pdfs/mensbball/2010_tournament_bracket.pdf

As the Big East Tournament looms, there are at least five stone cold locks for the Big Dance (Syracuse, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Villanova, and Marquette). Even if Georgetown and Louisville were to falter in second round games on Wednesday, the two would still likely be on the right side of the bubble. Notre Dame, one would figure, is also in. Notre Dame ended the season on a four game win streak, and in doing so reached the ever important 10 win total in conference play. As long as they don’t get blown out of the gym on Wednesday by the Seton Hall/Providence winner, consider the Irish in.

The question is: Will the Big East break the record, and get nine bids? Seton Hall and South Florida both have outside shots of gaining that ever elusive ninth bid. If either the Pirates or Bulls win their first two games, both serious possibilities, they will surely give the Selection Committee something to think about on Sunday evening. Win three in a row and reach the Big East semis, and you’re an NCAA Tourney lock.

The Teams: Syracuse (15-3 Big East, 28-3 Overall), Pittsburgh (13-5, 24-7), West Virginia (13-5, 24-6), Villanova (13-5, 24-6), Marquette (11-7, 20-10), Louisville (11-7, 20-11), Georgetown (10-8, 20-9), Notre Dame (10-8, 21-10), South Florida (9-9, 19-11), Seton Hall (9-9, 18-11), Connecticut (7-11, 17-14), Cincinnati (7-11, 16-14), St. John’s (6-12, 16-14), Rutgers (5-13, 15-16), Providence (4-14, 12-18), Depaul (1-17, 8-22)

Players to watch: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame (23.3ppg, 9.7rpg), Dominique Jones, South Florida (21.3ppg), Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall (21.2ppg), Jamine Peterson, Providence (19ppg, 10rpg), Scottie Reynolds, Villanova (18.8ppg), Lazar Hayward, Marquette (18ppg), Austin Freeman, Georgetown (17.3ppg) Greg Monroe, Georgetown (16ppg, 9.6rpg), Wesley Johnson, Syracuse (15.7ppg, 8.5rpg)

Sleeper: Louisville. After beating Syracuse twice this season (as recently as Saturday at Freedom Hall), Louisville is on cloud nine. If that emotional high can carry over, it could be just enough to squeak by West Virginia in the quarters, bypass Pittsburgh in the semis and set up a potential third meeting with Syracuse in the Final.

Winner: With potential ‘Nova/’Cuse and West Virginia/Pittsburgh semifinal matchups possible, expect Syracuse and West Virginia to square off for the championship on Saturday night. In a bit of an upset, look for the Mountaineers, led by the outstanding frontcourt duo of Da’Sean Butler (17.2ppg, 6.3rpg) and Devin Ebanks (12.4ppg, 8.3rpg), to cut down the nets and head into the Big Dance as Big East Tournament Champs.

NCAA Tournament Outlook: Syracuse, Villanova, and West Virginia are all legit Final Four contenders. Pittsburgh, Marquette and Louisville could  make the Sweet 16. Notre Dame and Seton Hall could also win a game or two. While I can’t be sure of which ones, expect two Big East Teams to be in Indianapolis for the Final Four.

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