Big East eyeing 7 NCAA Tournament bids

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 file photo, Villanova guard Josh Hart (3) dribbles the ball into lane with Creighton guard Khyri Thomas (2) guarding him during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb. Hart is a candidate for Big East player of the year and national player of the year for the reigning NCAA champions, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. (AP Photo/John Peterson, File) FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 file photo, Villanova guard Josh Hart (3) dribbles the ball into lane with Creighton guard Khyri Thomas (2) guarding him during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb. Hart is a candidate for Big East player of the year and national player of the year for the reigning NCAA champions, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. (AP Photo/John Peterson, File)

By Associated Press March 3, 2017 4 min read

The Big East has been strong at the top, led by defending national champion Villanova.

The second-ranked Wildcats (23-3, 14-3 Big East) won the regular-season conference title and will be the No. 1 seed in next week’s Big East Tournament regardless of what happens Saturday against Georgetown.

No. 13 Butler (23-6, 12-5) is in good shape for the NCAA Tournament and Creighton (23-7, 10-7) should be as well despite dropping out of the AP Top 25 this week.

The other four Big East teams on the NCAA bubble may still have some to work to do – or at least avoid a bad loss.

Seton Hall (19-10, 9-8) avoided a misstep in one of those can’t-lose games by beating Georgetown. The Pirates can help their resume by beating No. 13 Butler, but still should be in good NCAA shape barring a quick exit in the conference tournament.