CAN 10 BIG EAST TEAMS REALLY MAKE THE TOURNAMENT?

Just like last year, the Big East is loaded. Looking at the current top 25, the conference has teams ranked second, third, fourth, eighth, and fifteenth, not to mention Villanova and Georgetown towards the bottom of the rankings (20th and 21st respectively). That's seven teams already considered among the 25 best in the nation.

Last season, the Big East got eight teams into the dance. This year, they should get nine, and could possibly get 10. Now I know what your thinking. How can the Big East get 10 teams into the field? Well, let's take a look...

In March of last year, Notre Dame, Louisville, West Virginia, Connecticut, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Villanova, and Marquette all were included in the NCAA tournament field. Connecticut (currently ranked #2 in the nation) is a lock to make it back. As are Louisville (#3), Pittsburgh (#4), and Notre Dame (#8). Two more, in Marquette (#20) and Georgetown (#21) are not guarantees, but really have no excuses for not being near the top. Georgetown lost big man Roy Hibbert, but added freshman center Greg Monroe, who has averaged 17 points and 7.5 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes a game so far this season. They return guard Austin Freeman, now a sophomore, and forward DaJuan Summers, a junior who will be much better and more experienced this year. Marquette didn't really lose anybody, as the club's two best scorers, guards Jerel McNeal and Dominic James are back for their senior years. Theoretically, the Big East has seven teams that should already be in.

Syracuse, who's roster dwindled down to seven players last season because of injuries, should be much stronger in 2009. While freshman forward Donte Greene left for the riches of NBA glory, they bring back stellar point guard Jonny Flynn, as well as center Arinze Onuaku and rebounding machine Paul Harris. Add the return of three point gunners Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins, who both were lost to torn ACL's last season, and the Orange(men) should be in good shape. Additionally, the team's RPI, which will be better this year, should be a positive, not a negative, for this year's club. Tough road games at #18 Florida (tonight) and #17 Memphis, plus the impossible gauntlet of Big East games, should help Syracuse make the tourney for the first time in three years.

West Virginia, who knocked off second seeded Duke in the second round last year, has a chance to get back in despite losing star forward Joe Alexander. Alex Ruoff returns as the only senior on the roster, and a talented group of newcomers will help as well. The four sophomores on this team gained valuable experience being a part of last season's Sweet 16 team, and could help the Mountaineers make it back this March. ESPN's Joe Lunardi, on his bracketology page, currently has West Virginia as an eight seed in the tournament.

Those nine should all make it. But who will be the tenth? Providence, Cincinnati, Seton Hall, and DePaul are all young teams, and all have a chance. With the Big East currently as strong as any conference, arguably ever, playing those top 15 teams will be an advantage. Furthermore, with every team making the Big East tournament this year, a tenth team that may be on the bubble could get hot and squeeze into March Madness.

It's definitely a long shot, but there is certainly a chance we could see the Big East make history in just a few months.