Bracket Projections: Big East Dominates

ESPN analyst and "Bracketologist" Joe Lunardi has released his latest projection of the postseason tournament bracket, and one thing is clear: the Big East is the class of college basketball.

The conference already has the record for most teams in the tournament, eight (which it has done twice), but Lunardi, the biggest name in Bracketology, projects 11 Big East teams in the tournament.

It may only be January, but it just goes to show how deep the Big East really is. Four teams, Pitt, Syracuse, Villanova, and Connecticut, are all listed as a 3 seed or better. Four. In other words, four of the top 12 teams in the country are in the Big East. Even if you exclude those top four teams, the Big East would still have more bids than any other conference (The Big 12 and Big 10 are tied for second with 6 bids each).

But everyone knows about them. Where the Big East really flexes its muscles is deeper in the brackets. Cincinnati is very strong defensively as highlighted in their 15-0 start. Georgetown has struggled so far in-conference but won games earlier in the season against Memphis and Missouri, and can pose problems come tournament time. 

Notre Dame is another strong defensive team, and has already beaten Connecticut and Georgetown. Even St. John's has shown promise, currently holding a 4-2 record in Big East play.

And of the 11 Big East squads, all but Marquette are single digit seeds.

Syracuse has four other teams competing with them for a number one seed (five, if San Diego State can continue its run). But one of those other teams is another Big East school, Pittsburgh. So instead of trying to prove which is better on paper, the two teams will determine it on the court. 

Unfortunately, Pitt won their only regular season matchup. But if Syracuse finishes with a better conference record than Pitt, or goes deeper in the Big East Tournament, they may be able to pull out a number one seed.

Being the odd one out may actually be a blessing in disguise for the Orange. Should they finish 5th, as Joe Lunardi has them now, they would be the top 2 seed. This would place them in the Newark bracket, as opposed to the Anaheim bracket should they beat out Pitt. Playing in New Jersey would almost be a home game for Syracuse, especially when compared to playing in California.

Technically, the Orange could both play in Newark and be a one seed, but it is less likely due to the selection process the committee uses based on geography.

Regardless, the future looks bright for Syracuse and the rest of the Big East.