2011 Big East Championship Odds

The Big East tournament is here. Here's a breakdown of the top contenders, plus the odds of each team from Bodog (in order of seeding).

1. Syracuse - 37/20
Syracuse (19-8 against the spread) led the Big East with a 15-3 conference record, but all three losses came against fellow Big East opponents-one to Pittsburgh and two to Louisville. The most recent loss was a 78-68 defeat to the Cardinal in the final game of the regular season, which sapped some momentum from the formerly No. 1 Orange. The Orange are 4-1 against the point spread in their last five games.
KEY PLAYERS: Junior forward Wesley Johnson led 'Cuse in scoring and rebounding at 15.7 PPG and 8.5 PPG. Senior guard Andy Rautins was second on the team with 11.6 points per game and first in assists at 4.8

2. Pittsburgh - 3/1
Pittsburgh (16-10-2 ATS) went 13-5 in conference play this season, but proved it can hang with the big boys by dropping Syracuse 82-72 earlier this season. The Panthers have won eight of nine heading into the Big East tournament. Pitt is 3-2 against the spread in its last five outings.
KEY PLAYERS: Three guards lead the offensive attack for Pittsburgh-Ashton Gibbs (16.2 PPG), Brad Wanamaker (12.0 PPG) and Jermaine Dixon (10.7 PPG).

3. West Virginia - 3/1
The Mountaineers (13-16 ATS) tied Pittsburgh at 13-5 and they split their season match ups 1-1. West Virginia has finished strong, winning five of its last six games, including three straight. West Virginia has covered three of its last five games on college basketball odds.
KEY PLAYERS: Da'Sean Butler tops the score sheet with 17.2 points per game while chipping in 6.3 rebounds per outing. Forwards Kevin Jones (13.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG) and Devin Ewbanks (12.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG) are also potential double-double threats.

4. Villanova - 7/2
The Wildcats (18-11 ATS) have crashed and burned to close out the season; they finished 13-5 in Big East play but lost four of their past six games, including a 68-66 defeat to West Virginia last weekend. Villanova is just 2-3 against the spread in its last five games at the sportsbook.
KEY PLAYERS: Guard Scottie Reynolds paces Villanova with 18.8 points per game. The Wildcats could be without second-leading rebounder Taylor King; the forward was benched against West Virginia for undiscolosed personal reasons.

• 5. Marquette (16-8 ATS) - 15/1
• 6. Louisville (10-16 ATS) - 8/1
• 7. Notre Dame (14-10-1 ATS) - 8/1
• 8. Georgetown (13-12 ATS) - 8/1
• 9. South Florida (18-9-2 ATS) - 30/1
• 10. Seton Hall (8-15 ATS) - 20/1 (field)
• 11. Cincinnati (7-17-1 ATS) - 50/1
• 12. Connecticut (11-17-1) - 25/1
• 13. St. John's (12-14-1 ATS) - 20/1 (field)
• 14. Rutgers (12-14 ATS) - 20/1 (field)
• 15. Providence (10-15-1 ATS) - 20/1 (field)
• 16. DePaul (14-11-1 ATS) - 20/1 (field)