CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 16. Up next: The Big East Tournament.
There is nothing better than watching the Big East Tournament unfold in front of the charged up fans in Madison Square Garden. There have been more memorable moments in the Big East Tournament than any other major conference tournament combined. It’s what makes college basketball special and this season should be no different.
The Big East Tournament is wide open once again and there are realistically six teams that have a shot. Over the past four seasons, four different schools have won which really highlights how competitive the conference has been.
2025 Big East Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Freshman of the Year: Liam McNeeley, UConn
Transfer of the Year: Ryan Conwell, Xavier
Coach of the Year: Rick Pitino, St. John’s
First Team:
- G: Kam Jones, Marquette (18.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.5 SPG)
- G: RJ Luis, St. John’s (18.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.4 SPG)
- G: Steven Ashworth, Creighton (16.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 7.0 APG, 38.0 3P%, 92.0 FT%)
- F: Eric Dixon, Villanova (23.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 42.9 3P%)
- C: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton (19.4 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.7 BPG)
Second Team:
- G: Micah Peavy, Georgetown (16.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG, 39.7 3P%)
- G: Solo Ball, UConn (14.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.8 SPG 42.8 3P%)
- G: Ryan Conwell, Xavier (16.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 40.7 3P%)
- F: Alex Karaban, UConn (14.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.6 BPG, 35.3 3P%)
- F: Zach Freemantle, Xavier (17.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG)
2025 Big East Tournament Simulation
First Round – Wed., Mar. 12
8. Providence (12-19, 6-14) vs. 9. Butler (13-18, 6-14) – 4 p.m. EST on Peacock
The opening game of the Big East Tournament is the most compelling matchup of the first round. Both teams have underachieved this season compared to preseason projections but have proven they are more than capable of giving any team in the conference a challenge. The teams have split their head to head matchups, most recently with Butler escaping with a one point victory in February. Providence has been spiraling, losing their last five games to close the season. I expect this trend to continue.
Ryan’s pick: 9. Butler
7. Georgetown (17-14, 8-12) vs. 10. DePaul (13-18, 4-16) – 6:30 p.m. EST on Peacock
DePaul surprisingly has swept the season series against Georgetown and actually beat Georgetown just four days prior to this upcoming matchup. It doesn’t make much sense to pick a Georgetown team that is without their star freshman Thomas Sorber, but it’s March and teams win with guard play and Georgetown has the edge in this with Micah Peavy and Jayden Epps.
Ryan’s pick: 7. Georgetown
6. Villanova (18-13, 11-9) vs. 11. Seton Hall (7-24, 2-18) – 9 p.m. EST on Peacock
Seton Hall has been the worst team in the Big East by far but has played Villanova pretty tough twice this season. Respectfully, with that being said, there is no chance Seton Hall wins this game.
Ryan’s pick: 6. Villanova
Quarterfinals – Thur., Mar. 13
1. St. John’s (27-4, 18-2) vs. 9. Butler – Noon EST on Peacock
This game will be closer than many will expect as Butler has experienced players in Jahmyl Telfort and Pierre Brooks who are more than capable of getting buckets. St. John’s however will have the home crowd on their side and should be able to pull away late.
Ryan’s pick: 1. St. John’s
4. Xavier (21-10, 13-7) vs. 5. Marquette (22-9, 13-7) – 2:30 p.m. EST on Peacock
This is the game I am looking forward to the most in the entire Big East Tournament. Both times these teams played it came down to the wire, with each team picking up a win against the other on the road by just two points. There’s a lot at stake as a win will guarantee Xavier a spot in the NCAA Tournament, our very own Mat Mlodzinski currently has them as his first team out. Xavier has been the hottest team in the Big East, winning their last seven games and have been in survival mode over the past month. I expect them to find a way to keep rolling.
Ryan’s pick: 4. Xavier
2. Creighton (22-9, 15-5) vs. 7. Georgetown – 7 p.m. EST on FS1
Creighton has the best big man in the conference in Ryan Kalkbrenner and Georgetown has lost their starting center for the season. Creighton will be able to dominate inside through Kalkbrenner and he is more than capable of finding open shooters when Georgetown will be forced to double. Creighton should win, and will likely win big.
Ryan’s pick: 2. Creighton
3. UConn (22-9, 14-6) vs. 6. Villanova – 9:30 p.m. EST on FS1
The back to back national champs have appeared vulnerable this season compared to the previous two years. But they are starting to get their swagger back, having won their last four games to close out the regular season. There’s just something about UConn basketball in March, there’s no way I can pick against them here.
Ryan’s pick: 3. UConn
Semifinals – Fri., Mar. 14
1. St. John’s vs. 4. Xavier – 6:30 p.m. EST on FOX
Now things are starting to get really interesting. On one hand, St. John’s has been the best and most consistent team in the Big East all year. On the other, Xavier has been red hot and have arguably the best offense in the Big East. It’s a classic battle of elite defense for St. John’s and elite offense for Xavier. I’m riding with the Musketeers pulling off the upset to advance to the Final.
Ryan’s pick: 4. Xavier
2. Creighton vs. 3. UConn – 9 p.m. EST on FOX
If there is one team to slow down UConn in March, it would be the Creighton Bluejays. They have been UConn’s kryptonite since rejoining the Big East as Creighton is 8-3 against the Huskies. The teams had two epic matchups this season, with the road team winning each time. This game will come down to the wire once again and I would predict Creighton to come out on top based on the senior leadership of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth.
Ryan’s pick: 2. Creighton
Championship – Sat., Mar. 15
2. Creighton vs. 4. Xavier – 6:30 p.m. EST on FOX
This will be a great championship game, with stars on both sides. Ryan Conwell has been one of the best transfers in all of college basketball and senior Zach Freemantle will be able to hold his own for Xavier. Ultimately, the duo of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth running their pick and roll will be too much for Xavier to handle and will lead Creighton to their first Big East Tournament Championship.
Ryan’s pick: 2. Creighton