{"id":413799,"date":"2022-03-09T09:16:12","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T06:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/"},"modified":"2022-03-09T09:16:12","modified_gmt":"2022-03-09T06:16:12","slug":"breaking-down-all-the-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"#Breaking down all the teams"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2d2113179f8\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2d2113179f8\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#%E2%80%9CBreaking_down_all_the_teams%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Breaking down all the teams&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_1_Providence_24-4_14-3\" >No. 1 Providence (24-4, 14-3)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_2_Villanova_23-7_16-4\" >No. 2 Villanova (23-7, 16-4)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_3_Connecticut_22-8_13-6\" >No. 3 Connecticut (22-8, 13-6)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_4_Creighton_20-10_12-7\" >No. 4 Creighton (20-10, 12-7)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_5_Marquette_19-11_11-8\" >No. 5 Marquette (19-11, 11-8)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_8_Xavier_18-12_8-11\" >No. 8 Xavier (18-12, 8-11)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_9_Butler_13-18_6-14\" >No. 9 Butler (13-18, 6-14)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_10_DePaul_15-15_6-14\" >No. 10 DePaul (15-15, 6-14)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#No_11_Georgetown_6-24_0-19\" >No. 11 Georgetown (6-24, 0-19)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/breaking-down-all-the-teams\/#Braziller_prediction\" >Braziller prediction<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CBreaking_down_all_the_teams%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Breaking down all the teams&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Seven of the 11 teams are projected to make the NCAA Tournament. Up to five of these schools feel like second-weekend threats. Multiple programs playing in the first round are capable of reaching the final night.<\/p>\n<p>The Big East Tournament is back this week at the Garden, and it promises to be four memorable days after it was canceled two years ago and played before few fans last March. It is the premier event this week in town, as the ACC Tournament serves as the junior varsity at Barclays Center compared to the superior Big East.<\/p>\n<p>Villanova is the betting favorite. Providence won the regular-season crown. Seton Hall enters the tournament red-hot. Connecticut, Marquette and Creighton are all capable of winning it all.<\/p>\n<p>It all begins Wednesday afternoon at what will be a rocking MSG:<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_1_Providence_24-4_14-3\"><\/span>No. 1 Providence (24-4, 14-3)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Ed Cooley<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Sr. F Nate Watson (13.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>Watson had a better season statistically last year \u2014 averaging more points, rebounds and blocked shots \u2014 but they were hollow numbers in a dis<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ointing season. Cooley has reduced Watson\u2019s minutes and it has resulted in a better player late in <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a>s and at the end of the season, one of many smart adjustments the National Coach of the Year candidate has made.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Jr. G Jared Bynum (12.9 ppg, 4.5 apg).<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s hardly a surprise that in Providence\u2019s two worst performances of the season, lopsided losses to Virginia and Marquette, Bynum struggled. He\u2019s been a revelation after a shaky first season at Providence following his transfer from St. Joseph\u2019s, a lights-out 43.8 percent 3-point shooter who has been at his best when the game is on the line.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Clutch gene. Providence is a remarkable 14-2 in games decided by single digits. Simply put, it finds ways to win.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/newspress-collage-21462832-1646806063817.png?w=1024\" alt=\"Jared Bynum and Jay Wright\" class=\"wp-image-21463062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/newspress-collage-21462832-1646806063817.png?w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/newspress-collage-21462832-1646806063817.png 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/newspress-collage-21462832-1646806063817.png?w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Jared Bynum and Jay Wright<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">USA TODAY Sports; Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Turnover margin. Providence is minus-two and is last in the league in steals per game at 5.1.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> This week is a continuation of the Friars\u2019 magical regular season. Picked seventh in the Big East, they won the league outright for the first time as one the nation\u2019s biggest surprises.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 5\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_2_Villanova_23-7_16-4\"><\/span>No. 2 Villanova (23-7, 16-4)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Jay Wright<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Sr. G Collin Gillespie (16.3 ppg, 3.1 apg).<\/p>\n<p>Who knows what March would have looked like last year for Villanova if Gillespie doesn\u2019t tear his left MCL prior to the Big East Tournament. The Wildcats likely wouldn\u2019t have lost to eventual champion Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, and may not have drawn Baylor in the Sweet 16. The fifth-year senior, the lone unanimous All-Big East first-team selection, has improved every season and shot a career-best 43.1 percent from deep this winter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Soph. F Eric Dixon (9.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>Dixon\u2019s emergence as a low-post option added a different dimension for the perimeter-oriented Wildcats. They are 12-3 when the southpaw scores in double figures. While undersized, the 6-foot-8, 255-pounder\u2019s strength and variety of moves in the paint make him a tough cover.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Balance. Six players average at least 9.1 points per game, and three of them \u2014 Gillespie, Justin Moore and Caleb Daniels \u2014 are dangerous 3-point threats.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Depth. Wright rarely goes more than seven-deep, which could be a factor if Villanova reaches the final on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Can win title if: The cream rises. Villanova is the best team in the league, even if it did finish second. It swept regular-season champion Providence and has the league\u2019s premier backcourt in Moore, Gillespie and Brandon Slater.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> +165<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_3_Connecticut_22-8_13-6\"><\/span>No. 3 Connecticut (22-8, 13-6)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bobby-Hurley.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"Bobby Hurley\" class=\"wp-image-21462947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bobby-Hurley.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bobby-Hurley.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bobby-Hurley.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bobby-Hurley.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Bobby Hurley<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Dan Hurley<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Sr. G R.J. Cole (15.8 ppg, 4.1 apg).<\/p>\n<p>Pick a big moment for UConn, and Cole has been in the middle of it. He took a significant step forward in his second year in the Big East as the Huskies\u2019 unquestioned answer in crunch time following the departure of James Bouknight to the NBA. He makes this team go.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> So. G Andre Jackson (6.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>One of the Big East\u2019s premier athletes, the 6-foot-6 Jackson is a terror in transition, an improving shooter and an elite perimeter defender.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Rebounding. The Huskies are plus-7.5 in rebounding differential, by far the class of the Big East in that category.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Closing out games. Hurley\u2019s team doesn\u2019t get blown out, but has struggled late at times, losing seven games by six points or fewer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> The big three of Cole, Adama Sanogo and Tyrese Martin play like stars for three nights. UConn will defend, it will have plenty of support in the Garden, and few teams catch match its physicality. But its offense can go into hiding, especially late in games.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 4\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_4_Creighton_20-10_12-7\"><\/span>No. 4 Creighton (20-10, 12-7)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Greg McDermott<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Sr. F Ryan Hawkins (14.3 ppg, 7.7 apg)<\/p>\n<p>One of the great stories in college basketball. Hawkins not only went from Division II to Division I, but he\u2019s thriving. The versatile scorer is one of the keys behind Creighton\u2019s unlikely top-four finish in the Big East and expected NCAA Tournament bid.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Fr. G Trey Alexander (6.4 ppg, 2.0 apg).<\/p>\n<p>The four-star prospect was thrust into a major role when Freshman of the Year favorite Ryan Nembhard suffered a broken right wrist on Feb. 23. And he will now have to deal with \u201cHavoc\u201d in his Big East Tournament opener on Thursday against Marquette. Good luck, kid.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength: <\/strong>Defense. Creighton holds opponents to 40 percent shooting from the field, the 28th-lowest figure in the country.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Ryan-Hawkins.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"Ryan Hawkins\" class=\"wp-image-21462997\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Ryan-Hawkins.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Ryan-Hawkins.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Ryan-Hawkins.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Ryan-Hawkins.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Ryan Hawkins<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">USA TODAU Sports<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> 3-point shooting. This isn\u2019t the Creighton you\u2019re accustomed to seeing. It is last in the league, tied with Butler at 31 percent shooting from distance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> It\u2019s unlikely, especially without Nembhard. Creighton is a two-point underdog against Marquette. But it wasn\u2019t even supposed to be in the NCAA Tournament mix. It wasn\u2019t expected to finish in the top half of the Big East. Don\u2019t count out these Bluejays, who feature one of the best frontcourts in the league in Hawkins, impressive freshman Arthur Kaluma and Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 12\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_5_Marquette_19-11_11-8\"><\/span>No. 5 Marquette (19-11, 11-8)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Shaka Smart<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Soph. F Justin Lewis (17.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg)<\/p>\n<p>The Big East\u2019s Most Improved Player, Lewis blossomed under Smart, more than doubling his scoring average from a year ago and developing into a dangerous 3-point threat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Fr. G Tyler Kolek (6.8 ppg, 5.7 apg).<\/p>\n<p>The George Mason transfer has slumped of late, and Marquette closed the regular season by going 3-4. It\u2019s not a coincidence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Theft. Marquette notches 7.9 steals per game, led by Kolek\u2019s 1.4 per game.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Rebounding. Marquette is a distant last in the league with a minus-4 rebounding differential.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> Marquette finds its defense that has gone somewhat missing in recent weeks. That end of the floor is what enabled the Golden Eagles to overachieve in Smart\u2019s first season, and the recent lapses led to an uneven finish to the regular season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 14\/1<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Kevin Willard<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Sr. F Jared Rhoden (16.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>The Long Island native has followed in the footsteps of recent Seton Hall stars, starting as an unsung recruit and developing into a full-fledged go-to guy by his senior year. The uber-intense wing has hit his stride in the Pirates\u2019 five-game winning streak, averaging 20 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Soph. G Kadary Richmond (8.8 ppg, 4.3 apg).<\/p>\n<p>Bryce Aiken\u2019s near two-month absence due to a concussion has created extra responsibility for Richmond, and the multitalented Brooklyn native has responded. Seton Hall likes to run offense through the gifted 6-foot-6 Richmond in the post, and allow him to find shooters when double teams inevitably arrive.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Defending the 3. Seton Hall holds opponents to 30.8 percent shooting from the 3-point line, the best mark in the Big East.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Playmakers. Seton Hall averages a league-low 10.5 assists, in part due to losing Aiken.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> The last few weeks are an indication of a team that is ready to take off. Seton Hall closed the regular season winning eight of its last 10 and five in a row, ensuring its fifth <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trip<\/a> to the Dance in the last six tournaments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds: <\/strong>14\/1<\/p>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Mike Anderson<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Jr. F Julian Champagnie (18.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg)<\/p>\n<p>When he\u2019s on, the Brooklyn native has the ability to dominate a game. He scores at all three levels, but is at his best creating space and shooting over defenders with his 6-foot-8 frame.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Sr. F Aaron Wheeler (10.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>The Purdue transfer can fill it up from the perimeter and finish above the rim, providing a needed third scoring option behind Champagnie and point guard Posh Alexander. When he\u2019s making shots, St. John\u2019s becomes that much more dynamic offensively.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Forcing mistakes. St. John\u2019s pressing style creates 16 turnovers per game, the 19th-highest number in the nation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Free-throw shooting. St. John\u2019s shoots free throws at a 67.5 percent clip, one factor in so many of its narrow defeats.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> The ball finally bounces St. John\u2019s way. After so many poor finishes in close games, little things that eluded them, the Johnnies get key stops, make the right plays in the clutch and Champagnie discovers his inner Mariano Rivera.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 28\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_8_Xavier_18-12_8-11\"><\/span>No. 8 Xavier (18-12, 8-11)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Travis Steele<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Jr. F Jack Nunge (13.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>An inside-out force, the 7-foot Iowa transfer can do damage from the perimeter and in the paint. He blocks shots, doesn\u2019t turn it over much and shoots a high percentage. Xavier couldn\u2019t have asked for more from Nunge.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Jr. F Zach Freemantle (9.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>The Teaneck, N.J., native was one of the best players in the league last year and one of the most disappointing ones this season. October foot surgery clearly played a role. Xavier needs its star back. A run here isn\u2019t possible otherwise.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"729\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Zach-Freemantle.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"Xavier's Zach Freemantle looks to make a move on DePaul's Yor Anei during a game earlier this season.\" class=\"wp-image-21462961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Zach-Freemantle.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Zach-Freemantle.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Zach-Freemantle.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Xavier\u2019s Zach Freemantle looks to make a move on DePaul\u2019s Yor Anei during a game earlier this season.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Protecting the defensive glass. Xavier is the best in the Big East in defensive rebounding percentage at 74.2 percent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Momentum. Xavier enters the tournament having lost seven of its last nine games, and four of those by double figures.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> The last month is irrelevant. Despite strong metrics and quality wins, Xavier hasn\u2019t looked like an NCAA Tournament team in weeks, let alone a group capable of advancing past Thursday.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 18\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_9_Butler_13-18_6-14\"><\/span>No. 9 Butler (13-18, 6-14)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> LaVall Jordan<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Sr. G Aaron Thompson (8.2 ppg, 3.9 apg)<\/p>\n<p>Butler\u2019s offense runs through the southpaw playmaker. He was more effective last year, averaging more points, assists and shooting a higher percentage, which has been a major factor in Butler\u2019s struggles.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Sr. G Bo Hodges (10.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>Injuries limited Hodges to just 15 games, severely hindering the Bulldogs. With Hodges in the lineup, Butler beat Creighton and Marquette, and nearly knocked off Providence twice and Seton Hall.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"758\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bo-Hodges.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"Bo Hodges\" class=\"wp-image-21462994\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bo-Hodges.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bo-Hodges.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bo-Hodges.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Bo-Hodges.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Bo Hodges<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Nothing to lose. A forgettable regular season is over, and Butler isn\u2019t expected to last past the opening night. It can play loose.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Scoring. Butler averages a league-worst 63.1 points per game and is next-to-last in the Big East in field goal percentage (41.8) and tied for last in 3-point shooting percentage (31.0).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard gain an extra year of eligibility and miss the Big East Tournament enough to return. In other words, Butler didn\u2019t need to pack for more than a day or two.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 35\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_10_DePaul_15-15_6-14\"><\/span>No. 10 DePaul (15-15, 6-14)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Tony Stubblefield<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Sr. G Javon Freeman-Liberty (21.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>If not for a groin injury that cost him seven games, the senior would\u2019ve been an All-Big East first-team selection. He led the conference in scoring and was 12th in rebounding despite his 6-foot-4 frame while significantly improving his perimeter jumper.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Soph. G Jalen Terry (8.5 ppg, 3.1 apg).<\/p>\n<p>When he plays under control, and his jumper is falling, DePaul is a different team. He was at his best in the Blue Demons\u2019 three best wins, over Marquette, Seton Hall and Xavier, averaging 19 points in those victories and hitting 8 of 20 3-point attempts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Wing scorers. Freeman-Liberty, David Jones and Brandon Johnson \u2014 DePaul\u2019s three leading scorers \u2014 are a handful to deal with on the perimeter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Shooting. DePaul is in the bottom fourth in the league in free-throw shooting (69.0), 3-point percentage (32.1) and field goal percentage (43.2).<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Patrick-Ewing.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=817\" alt=\"Patrick Ewing\" class=\"wp-image-21462987\" width=\"321\" height=\"397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Patrick-Ewing.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=634 642w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Patrick-Ewing.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=475 481w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Patrick-Ewing.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=317 321w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Patrick-Ewing.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=158 160w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Patrick-Ewing.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 321px) 100vw, 321px\"\/><figcaption>Patrick Ewing<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">USA Today Network<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> No jokes this year, even if DePaul cutting down the nets Saturday night is as likely as a local team reaching the Final Four. This program took a step forward this year under Stubblefield. If not for nagging injuries to Jones and Liberty-Freeman, it could have finished in the top seven.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 50\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_11_Georgetown_6-24_0-19\"><\/span>No. 11 Georgetown (6-24, 0-19)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> Patrick Ewing<\/p>\n<p><strong>Star:<\/strong> Fr. G\/F Aminu Mohammed (13.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>The five-star recruit didn\u2019t quite live up to expectations in his first year under Ewing, but the raw talent is there. The jump shot needs work \u2014 Mohammed shot just a shade above 30 percent from 3-point range \u2014 and he will in time gain consistency. A building block for the future at Georgetown \u2014 granted he sticks around.<\/p>\n<p><strong>X factor:<\/strong> Sr. G Kaiden Rice (11.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg).<\/p>\n<p>A sharpshooting transfer from The Citadel, Rice has in-the-building range and a ridiculously quick release to match. He spreads the floor, opening up driving lanes for Mohammed and point guard Dante Harris.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength:<\/strong> Room for improvement. It can\u2019t get any worse on The Hilltop than a winless league season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weakness:<\/strong> Defending the 3. Opponents shoot 37 percent from beyond the arc. Only 23 teams in the country are worse.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can win title if:<\/strong> Nope. Not going to happen. This would be too unrealistic for a fantasy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BetMGM Odds:<\/strong> 150\/1<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Braziller_prediction\"><\/span>Braziller prediction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Big East Champion:<\/strong> No. 1 Providence<\/p>\n<p><strong>Most Outstanding Player:<\/strong> Providence junior guard Jared Bynum<\/p>\n<p>The Friars have a terrific draw, are well-rested and will play with a chip on their shoulders. They didn\u2019t have a player selected to the league\u2019s first team despite finishing first and believe lock-down wing defender Justin Minaya \u2014 the son of former Mets <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a> manager Omar Minaya \u2014 was robbed of Defensive Player of the Year honors. After losing twice to Villanova during the regular season, Providence gets the better of the Wildcats in the title game, as Bynum takes over in the final minutes of a thrilling come-from-behind victory.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/03\/09\/big-east-tournament-preview-breaking-down-all-the-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Breaking down all the teams&#8221; Seven of the 11 teams are projected to make the NCAA Tournament. Up to five of these schools feel like second-weekend threats. Multiple programs playing in the first round are capable of reaching the final night. The Big East Tournament is back this week at the Garden, and it promises&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":413816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/newspress-collage-21462832-1646806063817.png?w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[126552,96697,72026,126252,121368,77467,72027,81689,83349],"class_list":["post-413799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-3-9-22","tag-big-east-tournament","tag-college-basketball","tag-march-madness-2022","tag-providence-friars","tag-seton-hall-pirates","tag-st-johns-red-storm","tag-uconn-huskies","tag-villanova-wildcats"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/413799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=413799"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/413799\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/413816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=413799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=413799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=413799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}