Basketball: Big East in the Big Dance

It is an impressive feat that the Big East men’s basketball conference, despite having a down… It is an impressive feat that the Big East men’s basketball conference, despite having a down year talent-wise, was still able to produce nine NCAA Tournament teams — more than any other conference in the nation.

But before Connecticut’s memorable run to a national championship last season, Big East teams struggled to find success with the pressure-packed, one-and-done style of the NCAA Tournament.

With Syracuse, the conference’s best team, now without its best interior defender for the duration of the tournament, and the remaining cluster of Big East teams plagued by inconsistencies, it’s difficult to envision a scenario where any Big East team could make a legitimate run at the title.

But that’s exactly what makes the NCAA Tournament so captivating — anything and everything will happen.

With that being said, here are my likely-to-be-doomed predictions for the fates of the nine Big East teams competing in this year’s NCAA Tournament:

Syracuse — No. 1 seed, East Region — The Orange’s national championship dreams were dealt a huge blow this week with the news that starting center Fab Melo’s academic suspension from earlier this season would be reinstated for the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse’s only regular-season defeat came during Melo’s original suspension, and there’s no denying that the Orange will miss his shot-blocking defensive presence. Head coach Jim Boeheim’s team still has plenty of talent and depth to go deep in the tournament, but a national title might now be beyond Syracuse’s reach. Prediction: Elite Eight loss to Florida State.

Marquette — No. 3 seed, West Region — Following a surprising trip to the Sweet Sixteen in last year’s tournament, the Golden Eagles believe they have all of the ingredients in place to produce similar success this time around. With an attacking style of play and a senior-laden backcourt led by Darius Johnson-Odom and Big East Player of the Year Jae Crowder, Marquette enters March Madness somewhat under the radar once again. A possible Sweet Sixteen match-up with Missouri has the potential to be one of the best games in this year’s tournament. Prediction: Sweet Sixteen loss to Missouri.

Georgetown — No. 3 seed, Midwest Region — The Hoyas’ recent NCAA Tournament history makes their future probably the hardest of all the Big East teams to predict. Since their trip to the 2007 Final Four, the Hoyas have only won a single tournament game, and they have been knocked out by lower seeds each year — including a humiliating opening-round loss to No. 14 seed Ohio in 2010. Georgetown will avoid another first game exit this time around, but it shouldn’t be too long before the Hoyas are sent home. Prediction: Round of 32 loss to San Diego State.

Louisville — No. 4 seed, West Region — This year’s Big East Tournament champions will hope their momentum carries over to the Big Dance like it did for Connecticut last season. Point guard Peyton Siva played the best basketball of his Louisville career last week at the Big East Tournament, and if he continues to set the pace for the Cardinals, anything is possible. With a high-tempo style and an experienced coach like Rick Pitino, the Cardinals should be playing into at least the tournament’s second weekend. Prediction: Elite Eight loss to Missouri.

Cincinnati — No. 6 seed, East Region — The Bearcats came up just short against Louisville in the Big East Tournament championship game, but their impressive run to that game showed exactly why they are dangerous in any one-game scenario. Cincinnati shot the lights out to build a huge lead in the Big East Tournament semifinal against a heavily favored Syracuse as it held on for the shock victory. If the Bearcats can display that kind of confidence from 3-point range during the NCAA Tournament, don’t be surprised if they string together a few wins. Prediction: Round of 32 loss to Florida State.

Notre Dame — No. 7 seed, South Region — The Fighting Irish’s Big East Tournament curse continued as they fell at the last hurdle once again in an attempt to make the school’s first conference tournament final. Notre Dame struggled to knock down shots in that semifinal loss to Louisville, and it’s hard to trust a team that, like Cincinnati, relies as heavily on the 3-point shot as the Irish do. A first round match-up against an explosive No. 10 seed Xavier team could prove to be the end of Notre Dame’s season. Prediction: Round of 64 loss to Xavier.

Connecticut — No. 9 seed, South Region — The defending national champions were dealt an extremely difficult hand if they hope to take the title back to New England once again. Assuming they get by a tricky first game against No. 8 seed Iowa State, the Huskies would likely face the No. 1 overall seeded Kentucky Wildcats, the perennial favorites to take home the 2012 crown. Connecticut’s talent and tournament experience will give it a chance in any game, but running into a determined Kentucky team could end UConn’s season. Prediction: Round of 32 loss to Kentucky.

West Virginia — No. 10 seed, East Region — Selection Sunday couldn’t have provided a much friendlier draw to the Mountaineers, who will begin their NCAA Tournament with what is essentially a home game: a match-up with No. 7 seed Gonzaga in Pittsburgh. The friendly atmosphere may propel star forward Kevin Jones and the Mountaineers to a first-round victory, but a second-round showdown with No. 2 seed Ohio State could prove too much for West Virginia. Prediction: Round of 32 loss to Ohio State.

South Florida — No. 12 seed, Midwest Region — The Bulls were handed a match-up against fellow No. 12 seed California in the First Four preliminary round of the NCAA Tournament, but Big East Coach of the Year Stan Heath’s team produced another dominating defensive performance to breeze by the Golden Bears. After recording the school’s first ever tournament victory, the Bulls will hope to take one step further when they face No. 5 seed Temple from the Atlantic-10. Expect a tight, defensive game when the Bulls take on the Owls, and don’t be surprised if the No. 12 seed advances. Prediction: Round of 32 loss to Michigan.