BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournament Predictions: UConn Streak Continues

The BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournament is set for March 8-11 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Here's a look at teams who could make a run in March Madness.

Mar 3, 2024 by Deondre Hayes

BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournament Predictions: UConn Streak Continues

The BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament 2024 returns to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on March 8 to kick off March Madness. The Tournament will feature all 11 BIG EAST Programs and some of the best players in the Nation as they compete for a BIG EAST Tournament Championship.

Since 2021, UConn has been on a historic run, winning the last three BIG EAST Titles. The Huskies sit at the top of the BIG EAST Standings once again as they seek their 4th straight Title. UConn is also the No. 10 team in the AP top 25 and is looking to make a championship run in this year's NCAA Tournament.

While UConn may remain at the top of the conference standings, the BIG EAST is home to other successful NCAA Women’s Basketball teams, including Creighton, St. John's and Marquette. Villanova is also a team to keep eyes on heading into March Madness from the BIG EAST, the Wildcats have been the No. 2 seed behind UConn the last two seasons.

The BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournament is poised to be filled with highly-anticipated matchups featuring some of the nation's best players. Here’s a look at BIG EAST teams to know with March Madness underway.

BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament Predictions

Here’s a look at each Big East team who could make a run heading into March Madness.

UConn (25-5, 17-0)

UConn remains the winningest program in the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament with 21 Championships, with a current streak of three consecutive years since 2020-21. In those last three seasons, the Huskies have only lost a total of three conference games. This season, they are undefeated with a 17-0 conference record.

But the Huskies' aims go beyond the BIG EAST. Geno Auriemma's teams are known for their runs in the NCAA Tournament. Last year, UConn took what was considered an “early exit” in the NCAA Tournament after losing in the sweet sixteen. The 73-61 loss vs. No. 3-seed Ohio State was the first time UConn had not reached the final four in 14 seasons.

Leading the way for UConn are two WNBA Prospects in Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards. Bueckers ranks No. 17 in the country in scoring, with 20.8 ppg. She's shooting 54 percent overall and 42 percent from three. Edwards is a dominant presence inside at 6-foot-3, averaging 18.1 points and 9.5 rebounds.

Creighton (23-4, 14-3)

Creighton sits at No. 2 in the BIG EAST Standings and looks to be ready for a March Madness run. Last year, Creighton lost in the second round of the BIG EAST Tournament 63-61 vs. Villanova. The Bluejays were selected for the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to No. 11 Mississippi State.

In 2022, Creighton had their best March Madness run in school history after reaching the elite eight. They lost to No. 1 South Carolina, who became the 2022 NCAA Champions.

Creighton’s success this year has been propelled by Emma Ronsiek, Lauren Jensen, and Morgan Maly, who all average in double figures. Ronsiek leads the way averaging 17.9 points per game, followed closely by Jensen, who averages 17.2. As a team, Creighton averages 74 points, second only to UConn in the BIG EAST.

St. John’s (17-13, 11-7)

St. John's ranks third in the BIG EAST Standings this season, the program's highest position in the last five years. Last year, the Red Storm lost in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament to No. 5 Marquette. St. John's would then be selected for the NCAA Tournament, making it their first appearance since 2016.

St John’s was able to earn an NCAA Tournament win, 66-64 vs. Purdue, but the postseason run would end in the second round with a 61-59 loss vs. North Carolina.

Leading the way this season is redshirt senior Unique Drake, who is averaging 18 points on 41 percent shooting, and 36 percent from three-point range. Drake was named the 2022-23 BIG EAST Sixth-Woman of the Year and has been flourishing in her return to the starting lineup.

What separates St. John's from other teams is their defense. St. John's ranks second in the BIG EAST in scoring defense, with opponents averaging 57 points against the Red Storm. St.John's has a solid case to be considered for a bid to the NCAA Tournament, and those chances will only increase if they do well in the BIG EAST tournament.

Marquette (21-7, 10-7)

Marquette sits tied with Villanova for fourth in the BIG EAST standings. In last year’s BIG EAST Tournament, Marquette beat St. John’s in the first round 57-47, followed by an 81-52 loss to UConn. The Golden Eagles booked a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021, but took a first-round exit following a 67-65 loss to South Florida.

Marquette is looking to return to the NCAA Tournament behind this year's offense, which is ranked No. 2 in three-point percentage in the BIG EAST. Marquette features three players averaging double figures this season, including--Liza Karlen, Mackenzie Hare, and Jordan King.

Karlen leads the team, averaging 17 points and seven rebounds. The 6-foot-2 senior has made drastic leaps in her game from her junior year, where she averaged 11 points per game. Earlier this year, she scored a season-high 30 points vs. Seton Hall, including three 3-pointers.

High-level performances from senior forward Liza Karlen and her guards are going to be essential in this team making a BIG EAST Tournament run, with hopes of receiving an NCAA Tournament bid.

BIG EAST Women's Basketball Top Scorers

Here are the top scorers as of Feb.14 in the BIG EAST.

Olsen, Lucy (Villanova) 23.0 PPG
Bueckers, Paige (UConn) 20.0 PPG
Hare, Mackenzie (Marquette) 19.0 PPG
Drake, Unique (St. John's) 18.7 PPG
Ronsiek, Emma (Creighton) 18.3 PPG
Karlen, Liza (Marquette) 18.2 PPG
Peoples, Anaya (DePaul) 18.0 PPG
Allen, Jorie (DePaul) 18.0 PPG
Edwards, Aaliyah (UConn) 17.8 PPG
Jensen, Lauren (Creighton) 17.0 PPG

BIG EAST Women's Basketball Top Scoring Performances

Here are the top-scoring outings of the 2023-24 season for BIG EAST Women's Basketball.

Olsen, Lucy Villanova vs. Marquette ( 1/17/2024 ) 37 Points
Peoples, Anaya DePaul vs. St. John's (NY) ( 1/25/2024 ) 37 Points
Drake, Unique St. John's (NY) at DePaul ( 1/25/2024 ) 36 Points
Olsen, Lucy Villanova at Columbia ( 12/3/2023 ) 33 Points
Olsen, Lucy Villanova at Georgetown ( 2/13/2024 ) 33 Points
Clarke, Kate DePaul at Louisville ( 11/12/2023 ) 32 Points

How To Watch The 2024 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament

The tournament begins on March 8 with three games all streaming on FloHoops and the FloSports app.

Game 1 of the quarterfinals will be available on FS1, with the remaining 3 games of the quarterfinals on FS2.

Both the semifinals and championship game will be available to watch on FS1.

The BIG EAST women's tournament will begin with round 1 on March 8 at 11am EST. Tournament seeding will be finalized at the end of BIG EAST conference play on March 2.

Where Is The 2024 BIG EAST Women’s Tournament?

The BIG EAST women's tournament will be held in Uncasville, Connecticut, at Mohegan Sun Arena. Tickets to the women’s BIG EAST tournament will go on sale Sunday, Dec. 10.

BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament Schedule

All Times Eastern

Round 1 will begin on Friday, March 8 consisting of 3 games

Game 1: 8 seed vs. 9 seed, 11 a.m.
Game 2: 7 seed vs. 10 seed, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: 6 seed vs. 11 seed, 4 p.m.

Quarterfinals will take place on March 9 consisting of 4 games

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. 1 seed, Noon
Game 5: 4 seed vs. 5 seed, 2:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. 2 seed, 7 p.m.
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. 3 seed, 9:30 p.m.

Semifinals will take place on March 10 consisting of 2 games

Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 5 p.m.

Championship Game will take place on March 11

Game 10: Game 8 winner vs Game 9 winner, 7 p.m.

When Does The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Start?

The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament will begin with Selection Sunday on March 17, followed by the First Four on March 20-21.

After the opening round is complete, the field will be set with the top 64 teams and the first round will start on March 22.

What Is Selection Sunday?

Selection Sunday is the day the NCAA committee releases the full tournament bracket initial seeding of all 68 teams.

32 teams will automatically qualify for the tournament by winning their conference tournament.

That leaves 36 other teams fighting for an at-large bid from the selection committee, which is considered through multiple stats and rankings to determine who receives the at-large bid.

Watch NCAA Women’s Basketball On FloHoops

The NCAA Women's Basketball is streaming live on FloHoops and the FloSports app. The BIG EAST Digital Network is also on FloHoops and the FloSports app.

FloHoops Archived Footage

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloHoops subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.