The defending national champions Connecticut Huskies did not win the Big East college conference basketball tournament (CCT) last year. But the Huskies are back on top again this season having won the regular season title and the favorite to win the Big East tournament.
Connecticut (28-3) ran away with the Big East regular season title going 18-2 while rewarding bettors this season at 20-11 against the spread (ATS) despite often having to cover inflated lines. UCONN is secure as a No. 1 seed for next week’s NCAA Tournament when the selection committee announces the tournament bracket and puts the Huskies on the top line as No. 1 seed joining Big 12-Big Ten Houston and Purdue and either ACC-SEC top seed North Carolina or Tennessee.
The Big East has some You Better You Bet top teams to watch and wager on beyond UCONN as the major college conference basketball tournaments begin this week and lead into the NCAA Tournament. Last years’ Big East tournament champion Marquette is joined by Creighton as Top-10 teams in the college basketball AP Poll entering tournament play.
Ahead of the Big East Tournament, ESPN’s NCAA Tournament bracketology projects 5-6 Big East teams into the Big Dance with UCONN (1) a No. 1 seed followed by Marquette (2) and Creighton (2) as top-tier teams. Seton Hall (10), St. John’s (11, Last Four In), Providence (Last Four Out) and Villanova are shooting for more wins to go dancing into the NCAA Tournament.
Connecticut (+480) is the favorite to win the 2024 NCAA Tournament men’s basketball championship. Creighton (+2500) and Marquette (+3000) are title contenders, according to current FanDuel Sportsbook futures odds. The UCONN Huskies are -105 to make it back to the Final Four.
Big East Tournament Odds
College basketball odds from FanDuel Sportsbook refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. Betting lines listed on favored team as opening round matchups and future games posted by sportsbooks.
- -160: Connecticut
- +390: Creighton
- +600: Marquette
- +1300: St. John’s
- +2000: Villanova
- +3500: Seton Hall
- +7000: Providence
- +10000 to +25000 All other teams
Madison Square Garden for the 42nd straight year, New York, NY – X (Twitter): @BIGEASTMBB
First Round: Wednesday, March 13 on FS1 (all times Eastern)
- Game 1: No. 8 Butler vs. No. 9 Xavier (-1.5), Total 149.5 | 4 p.m.
- Game 2: No. 7 Providence (-10.5) vs. No. 10 Georgetown, Total 143.5 | 6:30 p.m.
- Game 3: No. 6 Villanova ( ) vs. No. 11 DePaul, Total | 9 p.m.
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 14 on FS1
- Game 4: No. 1 UCONN ( ) vs. Winner Game 1, | 12 p.m.
- Game 5: No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 4 Seton Hall | 2:30 p.m.
- Game 6: No. 2 Creighton ( ) vs. Winner Game 2 | 7 p.m.
- Game 7: No. 3 Marquette ( ) vs. Winner Game 3 | 9:30 p.m.
Semifinals: Friday, March 15 on FOX and FS1
- Game 8: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 | 5:30 p.m.
- Game 9: Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7 | 8 p.m.
Championship: Saturday, March 16 on FOX
- Game 10: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9 | 6:30 p.m.
Courtesy of Playbook Sports (straight up, SU and against the spread, ATS)
- The UCONN Huskies are one of only three teams to have been ranked among the top-5 in the AP Top 25 poll every week of the season, joining fellow upcoming NCAA Tournament No. 1 seeds Houston and Purdue.
- Connecticut (UCONN) is 11-4 SU and 12-3 ATS record in the Big East Tourneament since 2011.
- No. 4 seeds are 15-3 ATS as an underdog in Big East Tourney since 2003, including 8-0 ATS as a ‘Dog of 5 or more points.
- Teams with same-season double revenge are 14-5 ATS vs. an opponent off a SU loss.
- Semifinal round underdogs are 13-3 ATS the last 9 years.
- No. 1 seed favorites are 1-7 ATS the last 6 years.
- No. 4 seed underdogs are 12-1 ATS the last 18 years.
- No. 6 seeds are 2-12 ATS the last 9 years.
More college basketball conference tournament news, odds and picks.
The top Big 12 teams in KenPom’s adjusted offense and defense rankings include: (national rank)
- Offense: UCONN (3), Creighton (10), Marquette (19), St. John’s (30)
- Defense: UCONN (13), Villanova (14), Providence (17), Marquette (18), Creighton (21)
Current Big East contending teams NET rankings:
Connecticut (3), Creighton (11), Marquette (13), Villanova (33), St. John’s (39), Seton Hall (62).
Butler’s 15 NCAA NET ranking Quad 1 games this season are tied for third nationally behind Baylor and Houston. The Bulldogs NCAA NET strength of schedule is No. 11 nationally.
Adding to UCONN’s stellar 28-3 record is non-conference neutral court wins over NCAA Tournament teams North Carolina, Gonzaga and Texas. Road losses were at Kansas, Seton Hall and Creighton.
Connecticut went to the Final Four last year as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament on their way to winning the national championship. The Huskies hounded and hammered all six teams on their trail to the title going 6-0 SU/ATS and winning all six games by double-digits as the betting favorites. Now Connecticut is rising up again and since mid-January when they beat Big East contender Creighton 62-48, the Huskies are 10-0 SU and 8-2 ATS as a favorite of 6-or-more points. The Huskies only outright loss during that stretch was an 85-66 blowout loss at Creighton. Connecticut enters the Big East Tournament on a 18-1 run.
March is also Problem Gambling Awareness Month, so bet responsibly as you watch and wager and the games and March Madness.
Check out daily college basketball picks and news and follow the updated college basketball odds and betting lines are posted by sportsbooks and added to the scheduled Big East matchups. It’s time for exciting major conference tournament basketball action ahead of the most anticipated event of the year – March Madness.
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