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Big East Breakdown: Conference Takes Over The Bubble In Final Weekend

By Casey Pazzalia

Feb 15, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Myles Powell (13) celebrates a three points basket during the second half against the Creighton Bluejays at Prudential Center. Seton Hall won, 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Myles Powell (13) celebrates a three points basket during the second half against the Creighton Bluejays at Prudential Center. Seton Hall won, 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Rosemont, IL, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack yells to his team during the second half at Allstate Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Rosemont, IL, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack yells to his team during the second half at Allstate Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Like Creighton, the Musketeers did most of their damage in the first part of the season. Through their first 24 games, they held an 18-6 record before dropping six straight games. Thankfully, the boys from Cincinnati closed out their season with a road win at DePaul.

Also like Creighton, Chris Mack’s team suffered a debilitating injury to their best player, Edmond Sumner. In the 10 games without Sumner, Xavier produced a pedestrian 4-6 record and they will unfortunately have to continue to play without him.

According to Joe Lunardi, the Musketeers are one of the ‘Last Four In’, forced to compete in the opening play-in games.

With their collapse, the Musketeers earned the No. 7 seed in the Big East Tournament and will be forced to play on the first day of the event. They open up with DePaul on Wednesday night, needing to win four games to take home the hardware.

If the team can put forth a decent showing, they can certainly lock up a NCAA Tournament berth by the time Selection Sunday rolls around.

However, if Xavier falls in the first round to No. 179 DePaul, they will definitely be on the outside looking in. Also, if they win versus the Blue Demons and lose the next game, they stand the chance of being replaced by another bubble team if they were to go on a run.