As we are a week away from the end of the Big East Regular Season, it looks as if the race for regular season title is a three team race: Louisville, Connecticut, and Pittsburgh.

Louisville is finally starting to click and each year they keep improving as March comes on. Villanova Coach Jay Wright noted earlier in the year that, the thing about Rick Pitino teams is that he coaches to win in February and March, and make corrections in November and December. The Cardinal’s had some puzzling losses early on to Western Kentucky at a neutral site and UNLV at home. If the Cardinals can continue to shoot well, watch for them in Detroit.

Connecticut has been great all year. Jim Calhoun just won his 800th game, on the road at Marquette and he did it without his star guard Jerome Dyson. My player of the year candidate Hasheem Thabeet has a presence in the paint that I haven’t seen in college basketball. Dick Vitale has said many times that his presence in the game is worth a 20 point swing with him just standing there. I couldn’t agree with him anymore. A.J. Price had one of the most impressive games I have ever seen and has stepped up with the Dyson injury and still keeps Uconn as one of my favorites to win the National Championship.

Pittsburgh made its statement as a national power on the road at Connecticut where DeJuan Blair made his case for Big East player of the year as he had more than twenty points and rebounds in the game vs. the best center in the country. From a very credible source, I was told that Jamie Dixon has the most efficient run practice in college basketball. It shows as his teams show their veteran experience at the end of games, especially on the road. The loss on the road at Providence was a game that Providence had to win in order to make a statement to go to the NCAA tournament, Louisville ran into the same thing at Notre Dame, it happens.

With the Big East tournament allowing every team to participate this year, every game will be a battle. Pittsburgh has Louisville’s number as they have eliminated them the past three years and watch for the next Gerry McNamara. If you asked me to pick a winner, it is tough to do, I honestly think any team 1-10 could win and I wouldn’t be surprised. Another thing that needs to be noted is the incredible job done by Providence coach Keno Davis and Marquette coach Buzz Williams. Both coaches are first year in the league and have made a name for themselves, in their first year they have become potential Big East coach of the year candidates.

Final Prediction:
Big East Regular Season Champs: Louisville
Big East Tourney Champs: Connecticut
Big East Player of the Year: DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh)
Big East Rookie of the Year: Samardo Samuels (Louisville)