By Colton Watson
Georgetown—The Hoyas are still alive for a possible at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. At 31-18 overall and 11-6 in conference, Georgetown is around that NCAAT bubble, but have clinched a spot in the Big East tournament. They beat the retrievers of UMBC in the midweek last week, but only salvaged the Sunday game vs Xavier. They have a big opportunity this week with a couple of decent teams on the horizon from an NCAAT perspective. Looking ahead: vs Boston College 5/14, vs St. John’s (BEC) 5/16-18
Butler—Butler got a notch in their Big East belt when they took down fellow cellar dwellers Villanova on the road this week, capping off a 3-1 week behind a midweek win over Eastern Illinois. No chance for any postseason play for the Bulldogs, though, as they will finish their season next weekend. Looking ahead: at Notre Dame 5/14, vs UConn (BEC) 5/16-18
St. John’s—A fair week for the Johnnie’s started by losing to Fairleigh Dickinson fairly handily before taking another Big East series when they got the final two games last weekend at Seton Hall. At 33-13-1 overall and 13-5 in conference, their NCAAT at-large dreams are alive and well and their future in the Big East tournament is guaranteed as they’ll play for a potential automatic bid. Looking ahead: vs Fairfield 5/14, vs Georgetown (BEC) 5/16-18
UConn—Strange team, Connecticutt; at 14-4, the Huskies are locked into the Big East Tournament and looking at the number 1 seed; however, at 29-21 overall, they’re amongst the least likely of the four Big East Tournament title contenders to earn an at-large bid should they not win the event. Even Creighton, at 7 games below .500 in Big East play, might have better at-large chances than UConn. UConn knocked off Creighton two games to one last week, but they got shelled by a school called Northeastern in the midweek contest. Still, the Huskies are looking like the favorite to win the BET in a couple weeks, and doing so would likely ensure the Big East is a multi-bid league once again. Looking ahead: vs Butler (BEC) 5/16-18
Creighton—Creighton is an enigma. Sticking with the script, they lost the series at UConn, managing to salvage the Sunday game, but they still sit with one of the best overall records in the Big East at 32-16. But at 5-12 in Big East play, they’ll cross their fingers for an at-large NCAAT bid instead of playing for automatic postseason rights in the Big East Tournament. There’s no more of those magical midweek games left for the Blue Jays, but they can maybe make one more bale of NCAA hay if they can beat Seton Hall. Looking ahead: vs Seton Hall (BEC) 5/16-18
Villanova—the Wildcats of Villanova have taken on the spirit of their namesake—that is, if the wildcat in question is a wounded animal awaiting the mercy blow from the hunter who mortally wounded it. They lost the series against Butler after winning the Friday game, and their sweeping of Creighton earlier this year will be the highlight of their season. Nova, as predicted, is last in the Big East overall record (but, by virtue of a rainout and a tiebreaker, still safely ahead of only Creighton in the Big East standings, ironically) and their season will end next weekend. Looking ahead: vs Saint Joseph 5/14, vs Xavier (BEC) 5/16-18
Xavier—The Musketeers have a 28-23 record, with 11 conference wins and 7 conference losses in the ledger. A cancellation last week of a game vs Kentucky cost Xavier an RPI-boosting opportunity, but beating Miami (OH) and Georgetown 2 of 3 times can’t hurt their case. Xavier is likely on the outside looking in for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, but they can help themselves by beating red-hot Oklahoma at home should the game be played Tuesday. The weekend should do very little to help their RPI, but they’re locked into a Big East Tournament appearance that will give them an opportunity to play for an automatic NCAA bid. Looking ahead: vs Oklahoma 5/14, vs Villanova (BEC) 5/16-18
Seton Hall—Seton Hall is one of three Big East teams whose season will certainly come to an end next week. With no chance at a Big East tournament appearance after a series loss to St. John’s, the Pirates are looking for a rare weekend series win versus a Creighton team that has been hapless in Big East Series. Maybe next year will be better for the Hall. Looking ahead: vs Creighton (BEC) 5/16-18
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