Big East Looks like Eight NCAA Tournament Teams Conference in 2012: Fan's View

After getting a record 11 teams into the NCAA Tournament in 2011, the Big East Conference looks like it will only get eight teams into the Big Dance in 2012. I've been a fan of the Big East since the conference was formed back in 1979. That's because I've been a fan of the Syracuse Orange since the late 1970s.

In 2012, the Big East is just not as good as it was in 2011. These are the contending teams in the Big East in 2012. I believe eight of these teams will end up in the NCAA Tournament.

Big East Teams with Quality Wins

Syracuse Orange - 22-1

We went 20-0 to start this season before Notre Dame beat us in South Bend. Syracuse is already a lock for the NCAA Tournament, and we are now just playing for seeding.

Marquette Golden Eagles - 18-4

Marquette has quality wins this season over Mississippi, Wisconsin and Louisville. The Golden Eagles would have to completely collapse to not make the Big Dance in 2012.

Georgetown Hoyas - 16-4

Georgetown has quality wins this season over Alabama, Louisville, Marquette, and two wins over the Memphis Tigers. The Hoyas lost their last game at Pitt, but they too would also have to completely collapse the rest of the way not to make the NCAA Tournament.

Louisville Cardinals - 17-5

The Louisville Cardinals opened the season going 12-0, but then lost five of their next seven games. The Cardinals have righted the ship again though with three straight wins. Quality wins the Cardinals have are over Vanderbilt, Memphis and Seton Hall. Even a 4-5 record over their last nine games would still get Louisville in.

West Virginia Mountaineers - 15-7

The West Virginia Mountaineers have quality wins this season over 20-4 Oral Roberts, Kansas State, Miami, Georgetown and Cincinnati. The Mountaineers have lost their last two games against St. John's and my Syracuse team, but both games were on the road. West Virginia has already built a pretty good resume, and if they just win all their home games left they are a shoo-in.

Seton Hall Pirates - 15-6

The Seton Hall Pirates have hit the skids, losing four straight games. The Pirates have quality wins over VCU, Dayton, West Virginia and UConn though, and should be able to turn things around enough to still make the NCAA Tournament. The Pirates next three games are on the road though vs Marquette, UConn, and Rutgers.

UConn Huskies - 14-6

Defending champion UConn Huskies are 14-6 this season, with quality wins over Florida State, Arkansas, Harvard, West Virginia and Notre Dame. UConn has lost three in a row, but they will right ship and make the NCAA Tournament and try to defend their title.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 14-8

Notre Dame has eight losses on the season, but they have not lost to a really bad team all year. The Fighting Irish have quality wins over Louisville, Seton Hall, UConn, and they beat my Syracuse team when we were undefeated and ranked #1 in the country. If Notre Dame gets to 19 wins I think they are in for sure, even 18 might get them in.

Cincinnati Bearcats - 15-7

The Cincinnati Bearcats have quality wins over Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Georgetown and UConn this season. The Bearcats have lost three in a row though, and need to start winning some games. Cincinnati has an RPI of just 96.

South Florida Bulls - 13-9

South Florida is still a longshot to make the Big Dance. The Bulls only have a quality win over Seton Hall. Their best out of conference win is over 18-4 Cleveland State. They will probably have to win seven of their last nine games to get in.

The rest of the Big East teams would have to virtually run the table to get in. Rutgers has quality wins over Florida, UConn, Notre Dame and Cincinnati, but they are just 12-10. Pitt (13-9) is unlikely to overcome the eight game losing streak they had this season, though they beat Georgetown in their last game.