Entering the final two weeks of the Big East regular season, several teams are guaranteed NCAA Tournament spots, some sit on the bubble and others’ bubbles have already burst.

While Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Syracuse have all but secured a spot in the dance, Boston College, Connecticut, Seton Hall and Villanova all have something to prove. Georgetown and St. John’s may be playing for the NIT.

Here’s a look at where these Big East teams stand.

Guaranteed Bids

Notre Dame

Since defeating three top-10 teams in one week, the Irish have made it clear to the country that they will be around in March. A combination of veterans and youngsters has kept this team balanced and promises to make it dangerous in the tournament. Victory in the Big East tournament might lift the Irish to a No. 2 or even a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Senior guard Matt Carroll provides 41 percent 3-point shooting and sophomore point guard Chris Thomas adds the flare.

‘Notre Dame’s beaten more good teams than anyone in the country,’ Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said.

The Irish should hope the selection committee overlooks last night’s 87-79 home loss to Connecticut.

Pittsburgh

Once favored to win the Big East, the Panthers have struggled on the road. Key road losses to Georgia, Syracuse, Notre Dame and Seton Hall will hurt Pitt’s seeding. A win at Villanova on March 9 would provide an impressive road victory.

Senior point guard Brandin Knight’s production has slipped, but his leadership and ball-handling abilities will help.

Pittsburgh’s stifling defense, which leads the league allowing 59 points per game, makes them a threat.

Syracuse

After coasting through a series of easy December home games, the Orangemen have proven they’re for real. Wins over Missouri, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame show SU can play at home.

Sunday’s 76-75 victory over Michigan State adds an impressive road win to SU’s resume. The Orangemen are also one of the hottest teams in the league, winning six of their last seven.

Four starters average double-figures in points. Such explosiveness could lead to a long string of wins in March.

‘Syracuse has the potential to reach the Final Four,’ Pittsburgh head coach Ben Howland said.

Connecticut

Last night’s win at Notre Dame should solidify a tournament bid for the Huskies.

UConn leads the East Division, and with a decent showing in the Big East tournament, it should earn a good NCAA Tournament seed. Late-season games at Pittsburgh and Boston College will be critical.

On the Bubble

Boston College

The Eagles’ season began with losses to Holy Cross and Northeastern but went uphill from there. Senior guard Troy Bell averages more than 25 points and became BC’s all-time leading scorer.

The selection committee looks for good late-season and road records, two things the Eagles have.

The Eagles have played well since a Feb. 1, 95-71, road win over then-No. 14 Connecticut. Since then, BC has won five of six. Road wins over Massachusetts, Iowa State and North Carolina State make the Eagles look strong.

One problem could be a No. 50 RPI.

Seton Hall

Like Boston College, the Pirates have come on of late. They have won six in a row, including a 78-72 win over Notre Dame on Feb. 5 and a 73-61 win over Pitt 10 days later.

Two road games to close out the season at Pittsburgh and Providence will be big. Seton Hall’s No. 35 RPI and ninth-ranked schedule are also worth noting.

If the Hall gets hot late and makes a run in the Big East tourney, it could join the field.

Villanova

The Wildcats look like the team most likely to fall off the bubble. To have a chance, they must overcome UConn and win the East Division.

Villanova is hurt by a lack of quality wins and few quality opponents within its division. The Wildcats have no impressive road wins, and their lone quality home win came Feb. 15, a 79-70 victory over UConn.

Villanova can improve its No. 52 RPI, with a March 4 road date at BC and a season-ending March 9 home date with Pittsburgh.

Bubble burst

Georgetown

This season has been nothing but disappointment for the Hoyas. With junior center Mike Sweetney, Georgetown was considered a legitimate tournament candidate. Instead, the Hoyas have won only four conference games.

The key moment for Georgetown was a three-game stretch beginning in late January. The Hoyas lost one-point road games to Pittsburgh and Notre Dame and suffered a crushing overtime loss to Seton Hall.

With that skid came a loss of confidence and a burst bubble.

St. John’s

Coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance last year, the Red Storm figured to be in the mix again. Senior guard Marcus Hatten has been the only bit of consistency, averaging 22 points.

St. John’s had a chance to make a run last week with games at Syracuse and UConn. Instead it lost twice.

Only a victory in a March 2 game against Duke can save St. John’s.

This and that

Big East Player-of-the-Week honors go to BC’s Bell for the second straight week. In the Eagles’ Feb. 19 win over Virginia Tech, Bell dropped 29 points and hit 6 of 8 3-pointers. … Boston College’s Craig Smith and Syracuse’s Carmelo Anthony shared Rookie-of-the-Week honors. Smith picked up the award for the fifth time after scoring 26 points against Virginia Tech. Anthony won for the third consecutive week and eighth time overall. He averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds in wins over St. John’s and Michigan State.

Published on February 24, 2003 at 12:00 pm