As I sit here, getting snowed in, I remind myself that March Madness officially begins tonight, and all is well immediately. Even though I don’t really mind the snow, and I will not have to make this day up at work. With that being said, I wanted to take a closer look at what to expect this year from the Big East contenders.

Another very successful regular season in the books for the Big East Conference. Six out of the ten teams have moved on to the Big Dance, while Marquette also received a number two seed in the NIT. Something the conference, as a whole, should be very proud of. Now I want to take a closer look at just how far these teams may go, as well as how quickly they could break the hearts of all their devoted fans.

Villanova: Final Four and Beyond/First Weekend Upset

This Villanova team is nothing short of spectacular, like they seem to be year in and year out. Another Big East Tournament title, led by great coaching and a very talented roster that goes 8 deep and received the #2 overall seed in the tournament. Personally, I really like the road that they have to travel to the Final Four. I don’t think Purdue or Texas Tech would give them much trouble, however, they could face a potentially tough round of 32 matchup against Alabama/Virginia Tech and should get the winner of the very gritty West Virginia/Wichita State game. IF they were to get by that, I think its smooth sails to the Final Four and maybe even another National Title. The Wildcats are very much so, a good enough team to go all the way. I really like Virginia Tech in that game against Alabama. I think they’re a very good team led by Buzz Williams and could very easily have been a 6 or 7 seed. Collin Sexton has also shown that he is one of the best players in the country and if he gets hot there’s not much you can do to slow him down. Either of those teams would have a chance at an upset, but I think Nova moves on.

Xavier: Final Four and Beyond/Michael Porter Jr.

Xavier is coming off a tough overtime defeat in the Big East Tournament against Providence, a team who matches up well with them and had previously beaten them earlier in the year. However, this is not a team that anybody should be skeptical about. Chris Mack has done an unbelievable job in Cincinnati, and has a very talented and mature roster this year that has Final Four written all over them. Coming off an impressive Elite 8 run last year, I see this team doing something very similar this year. I think Missouri is a wildcard with Michael Porter Jr. coming back, and if they get by them a tough Gonzaga team should be waiting for them. After that, I don’t see anybody (except Providence) who could potentially take them down. Give me Xavier to the Final Four, maybe even reach the title game. As I said before, we’ve only seen Michael Porter Jr. in one game, and there was obviously some rust, but if they get by FSU I think that’s something you have to watch out for. Missouri would be a long shot but it’s March and much stranger things have happened. Having said that I do believe X makes another deep tournament run.

Seton Hall: Elite Eight Run/Round of 32 Exit

I really like this Pirates team. I think they’re easily the 3rd best team in the conference, even though they under performed a little this year. Having said that, I really like their match up against NC State who is coming off losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College and then against Kansas who I think is the weakest 1 seed, and Bill Self’s least impressive team (which isn’t saying much) since he’s been there. I also think Clemson and Auburn are pretty weak which is why I see them possibly going to the Elite 8 if they are able to get by the Jayhawks.

Creighton: Sweet Sixteen/Round of 32 Exit

The Bluejays have over performed this year, in my mind. Even after the loss of Krampelj, this team has managed to play really good basketball, credit to underrated head coach, Greg McDermott, along with Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas. I don’t see them losing to Kansas State first round, but I haven’t seen much of the Wildcats this year. If they are able to get to Virginia, that is an awesome match up. Creighton averages 85 points a game, while the Cavaliers allow 53. The tempo in that game is going to be everything. If Creighton gets Virginia out of their comfort zone (very tough task) they will have a shot in that game. If that happens, it is probably the most under the radar game of the second round.

Butler: Deep Run/First Round Loss

Lavall Jordan has done an incredible job as first year head coach of the Bulldogs, and I also believe they have over performed this year. I also think that they are in a weak part of the bracket. If they are to get by Arkansas in the first round, I think they match up well with a Purdue team that lacks athleticism and played in the Big 10 that wasn’t what it normally is this year. Tyler Wideman would be able to hold his own against Isaac Haas, and I don’t think anybody on the Boilermakers would be able to stay with Kelan Martin or Kamar Baldwin. Give me Butler over Purdue if they get there, I think they might be able to give Texas Tech a run for their money as well. Just gotta get by Arkansas.

Providence: Deep Run/First Round Loss

The most intriguing team in the Big East this year (extremely biased opinion) is the Providence Friars. High expectations followed by early season woes, leading to victories over Xavier and Villanova, and a home loss to DePaul. Friars found themselves on the bubble after the regular season, and then showed everybody that they can play with anybody in the country during the Big East Tournament. Providence drew a tough first round game against the much bigger Texas A&M Aggies, and if they get by them it’s on to the almighty defending National Champs, North Carolina. PC played North Carolina in the first round in 2014 and Bryce Cotton almost got them that upset victory. They then played the Tar Heels again in 2016 in the round of 32 and had a lead in the second half before UNC took over. I don’t know if Roy Williams will have enough to get by Cooley for a third time, but we will see if we get there. It all depends what Friars team shows up, if it’s the one from the Big East Tournament, they will be a tough out for anybody.

Let the Madness begin everybody.