Overview

New year, same question: can anyone stop UConn? Geno Auriemma’s team comes into the Big East conference tournament unscathed in conference play, seeking their 4th consecutive title since rejoining the Big East in 2021. With only two surefire NCAA Tournament teams in UConn and Creighton, it’s a relatively down year for the Big East, but plenty remains at stake as the conference converges upon Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

The Favorite – UConn

To answer my own question, no, nobody can stop UConn, at least nobody in the Big East. The Huskies went 18-0 in conference play with a mindblowing average margin of victory of 30 points. While this isn’t the big bad UConn you can pencil into a Final Four appearance without thinking twice, this Huskies team remains head and shoulders above the rest of the conference. 

Paige Bueckers is back to full speed, leading the Huskies in scoring (20.7 PPG) on superb shooting splits (54% FG, 41.2% 3PT). Aaliyah Edwards does most of the work for UConn inside, scoring 17.9 PPG and leading the team in rebounding (9.5 RPG). UConn overwhelms teams with big runs, largely due to their turnover margin that ranks second in the conference. KK Arnold leads the team in steals, living up to the hype surrounding her freshman season. 

Needless to say, UConn has no peers in the Big East, and should run away with yet another conference title.

Contenders – None

If any team manages to stay within ten points of UConn, it would be a major accomplishment. Creighton, the conference’s regular season runner-up, didn’t stand a chance against the Huskies in either regular season matchup, losing 94-50 in Omaha and 73-53 in Storrs. The Bluejays will be an NCAA Tournament team, but likely face a familiar fate in the conference tournament.

Marquette and Villanova could both benefit from a deep run to potentially play themselves off the NCAA Tournament bubble. Unfortunately for them, they match up in the quarterfinals in a de-facto NCAA Tournament elimination game, with the winner earning the privilege of facing UConn in the semifinal. Congrats!

My Pick – UConn

Whether or not I’m picking the Huskies to make a run in the NCAA Tournament is one thing, whether or not UConn wins the Big East tournament is not even a question. If anyone knocks UConn off after yet another dominant regular season, I’ll pay to see it.