Big East Conference Tournament Preview

Friday begins the Big East tournament in Providence. While Providence College has a great venue and will do a fantastic job hosting the tournament, a part of me wishes that the tournament could somehow be held in or around Madison Square Garden. In the meantime, let's enjoy the great field hockey. Providence College is hosting for the first time since 2009 and enters the tournament as the four seed. Reigning Big East and NCAA champion Connecticut is coming in as the #1 seed. On the other side of the bracket is Old Dominion and Temple, both of whom are top 20 teams. Now let's preview the tournament.

Game 1: #4 Providence vs #1 Connecticut

Providence is going to do a great job of hosting the tournament so it will be nice to see them in the tournament. The Friars made it into the tournament with a season ending 7-0 domination over Villanova. Connecticut on the other hand went undefeated in league play and has looked great all season.

Players to watch for: For the Friars, the player to watch for is senior forward Daniella Bernasconi. The senior scored 14 goals for the Friars this season and was a first team all conference selection. It's her last Big East tournament, so look for her to be a difference maker tomorrow.

Defense has been key for Connecticut all season long, so the player to watch for has to be junior Roisin Upton. Last season she was a second team all-american and has been key to the Huskies 1.16 goals against average. Look for her to be big in this tournament.

Prediction: Connecticut has been almost unstoppable this season, and their previous matchup with Providence was not even close. Look for Connecticut to roll on to the finals.

Game 2: #2 Old Dominion vs #3 Temple

#16 Temple vs #17 Old Dominion. Both teams have great offenses and have played in some great games this season. The last time these two teams played, Old Dominion won 3-2 on their home field. Now that it is at a neutral site, who will win? Either way, the fans will see a great game.

Players to watch for: 60 points is too impressive to ever ignore. Senior forward Amber Youtz for Temple is going to be huge in this tournament. The Big East offensive player of the year has been amazing all season long with 26 goals. 

For Old Dominion, junior midfielder Sarah Breen is the big player to watch for. This season she's knocked in 10 goals and was named first team Big East for the third straight year. Old Dominion has had a great defense all year, so look for Breen to possibly push them over to the finals.

Prediction: Both of these teams are great and it's going to be a good game, but I have to go with Temple to win this one. They have an explosive offense and held tough against UCONN last week. Look for it to be close, but for the owls to prevail.

Finals Prediction:

Connecticut over Temple.

As great as Temple is, Connecticut ran the table in Big East play and is the defending National Champion with a top notch defense and a great offense. Look for the Huskies to repeat as conference champions.

So what do you all think? Do you see the games going another way? Let me know in the comments and enjoy the tournament! This one looks to be great and is going to provide us with a lot to enjoy and talk about this weekend (full disclosure: I graduated from a school in the Big East conference, so I will always believe it's great and amazing).