When you think of conference tournaments, you probably think of Cardiac Kemba<\/a> and some Madison Square Garden magic.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the Big East tournament isn\u2019t as special as it once was, but it should still be an exciting event. One of the biggest talking points of the weekend will be St. John’s. The Johnnies took home their first conference championship since 2000 last year and will be looking to defend their title on their home court once more.<\/p>\n It was never a problem to have the tournament at MSG when St John\u2019s stunk, but now under Rick Pitino<\/a>, it\u2019s become a massive advantage for the Red Storm. Not only that, but with how bad the Big East is this year, being in the top half of the bracket feels like a free ride to the conference championship.<\/p>\n They\u2019ll start the tournament with a bye and face the winner of Seton Hall and Creighton, two teams that might need to win the whole tournament to make it into the dance. St John\u2019s at +200 is my favorite bet to win the Big East tournament, in what is realistically a three-team race.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Our Current Best Offers<\/span><\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n T&Cs apply, 18+<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n 2<\/p>\n T&Cs apply, 18+<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n 3<\/p>\n T&Cs apply, 18+<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n 4<\/p>\n T&Cs apply, 18+<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n On the other half of the bracket, Dan Hurley\u2019s Huskies<\/a> are still the favorite at -115. This isn\u2019t the best UCONN team we\u2019ve seen, but they\u2019ve got a full starting lineup of guys with experience in the Big East tournament. Solo Ball, Tarris Reed Jr., Silas Demary Jr., and Alex Karaban make up a veteran core that ranks 11th-best in defense according to KenPom.<\/p>\n When they\u2019re rolling, they\u2019re the best team in the Big East, but I don\u2019t trust their offense not to go cold under the bright lights of MSG.<\/p>\n Villanova is the final team in this third-team race, and even they still feel like a distant third. Kevin Willard has done a phenomenal job turning around Nova in his first season at the helm, but I don\u2019t think this team is much of a threat in the Big East or the NCAA tournament. They played UCONN tight in both matchups this season, but I don\u2019t think they have enough match-up with the top of the Big East.<\/p>\n If you were looking for some long-shot bets, Seton Hall at +1600 is a decent bet. Their small-ball lineups can give St John\u2019s some fits, and Shaheen Holloway is a great coach, so I\u2019ll never count them out. Xavier is a massive underdog at +20000, but has one of the best players in the conference with Tre Carroll, who finished First Team All-Big East. I\u2019d never pick them to win the conference, but they could be a potential cashout team if their shooters get hot around him.<\/p>\n The Big East player of the year will be announced later this week, but it will likely be St John\u2019s, Zuby Ejiofor. Behind him and Bryce Hopkins, I love St John\u2019s to repeat as Big East Champions, and put themselves in contention for a three seed in the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Our Current Best Offers<\/span><\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n T&Cs apply, 18+<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Underdog\"](\"https:\/\/deadspin.com\/casinos-logos\/350x350\/Underdog-ffffff.png\")
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