It's been a crazy year in the Big East, but not for the usual reasons. This year, the story in the conference has been about how every team has had literally two sides to them this season.
Teams like Syracuse that started out on fire and had a stretch mid season when they couldn't stay in games, let alone win them and yet they finish the season with a 25-6 record.
There are also teams like Notre Dame, had got bit by the upset bug a couple times then go on to utterly destroy a team like Villanova and the Fighting Irish was able to finish with a crisp 25-5 record.
Then you have the truly schizophrenic teams like West Virginia, Villanova, St. John's and UConn. These four teams have embodied just how unpredictable the Big East can be.
Villanova (21-10, 9-9) went from competing for a double-bye in the tournament to playing on the first day, they've endured one of their worst stretches of basketball since Jay Wright has become head coach and yet they have 21 victories and a talented roster that knows how to play in March, so hands are in the air in regards to 'Nova.
St. John's (20-10, 12-6) has been the surprising upstart to the Big East party since the hiring of Steve Lavin and they've played the role of Giant Killer really well, it's those little fish they have problems with.They've lost games this season to: St. Bonaventure, Fordham and Seton Hall, go figure. But they've put themselves in a great position in the tournament getting a fifth seed and having to play the winner of Rutgers/Seton Hall, but then again Seton Hall could be a tough out for the Red Storm considering their history.
UConn (21-9, 9-9) started the season with a 17-2 record and was viewed as the real deal thanks to star guard Kemba Walker, but have lost four of their last five down the stretch and are as cold as a team in March can be, but will definitely be energized by the fact they aren't in the NIT this year and who knows where that energy will take them in the tourney.
The West Virginia Mountaineers (20-10, 11-7) have been the definition in inconsistent, but if you've followed the Mountaineers at all the last couple of years (football or basketball), you would know that's the only way they know how to do it. The Mountaineers are suddenly hot after two huge wins over two ranked opponents in UConn and Louisville.At many points throughout this season, WVU has looked and longed for some offensive identity bouncing from guy to guy with nary a play maker in sight, but coach Bob Huggins has turned that into an advantage as in the last two games it's been a round robin of production capped off by a impressive Kevin Jones.
The Mountaineers can easily make a run in the Big East Tournament as they have in year's past and are pretty comfortable in New York, being the reigning Big East Champs from last year and with that this Big East Tournament may be the most unpredictable ever.
Photos Courtesy the US Presswire and All-Pro Photography
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