Villanova a Heavy +125 Favorite to Win Big East in 2020-21 Season – See Opening Odds for All Teams

• Having won six Big East conference titles in the past seven years, Villanova is favored to wind up on top again in the 2020-21 season
• Big East teams don’t have their conference schedule yet, but at least one team begins its season on Nov. 30
• For the conference title odds of every Big East team, and some analysis of the best bets, check out the article below

On Wednesday, NCAA Division I basketball returned. Well, sort of.

Teams were allowed to resume practicing, ahead of the Nov. 25 start date. There will be no exhibitions or scrimmages, and teams will play four fewer games than in a typical season (i.e. up to 27 regular season games).

Those sorts of protocols are unsurprising amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re important to note when considering options for conference title odds. Which teams will be the most polished when their opportunities for preparation are reduced?

In the Big East, there’s no question who the big dog is: Villanova, the six-time regular season conference champions since the conference was reformed seven years ago.

Here’s a look at the Big East Championship odds for all 11 teams in the conference, from the favorites to the long shots.

2020-21 Big East Championship Odds

Odds taken Oct. 15th from DraftKings

What We Know About the Schedule

What do we know about the 2020-21 NCAA men’s basketball schedule? So far, not much.

We know that it begins with the NIT Season Tip-Off on Nov. 25, roughly two weeks after the Nov. 10 start date that was initially planned.

Just the beginning.

42 days until college basketball is back 😏 pic.twitter.com/694E1UKb7z

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 14, 2020

In regard to the Big East, we know that Providence will play in the Maui Invitational (relocated to Asheville, N.C. for this year), facing Indiana in its first game on Nov. 30. Aside from that, no news has surfaced about the Big East’s schedule.

Though some fans might be eager for more news, keep this in mind: when it comes to a conference title, Big East teams are only in competition with Big East teams. And since we already know which teams those are, there isn’t as much uncertainty on this front as it might seem.

Is Villanova That Good Again?

Entering a season of substantial uncertainty, the Villanova Wildcats are surefire favorite. How did it come to this?

Well, Villanova’s longstanding dominance (six Big East titles in seven years) helps. As does the return of all but one of its starters.

Saddiq Bey, who led the team in points (16.1 per game) declared for the NBA draft in the summer. But everyone else who made notable contributions to Villanova’s 24-7 (13-5 Big East) record is back.

🏆 Freshman of the Year: Jeremiah Robinson Earl!#BIGEASThoops | @NovaMBB pic.twitter.com/EpkWyhidml

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) March 11, 2020

That includes Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, the No. 15 recruit in the nation last year. Robinson-Earl was one of five Wildcats to average double-digit points, and he led the team with 9.4 rebounds per game (while chipping in 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks per game, too).

Other Teams to Watch For

Last year’s Big East standings finished in a three-way tie between Villanova, Creighton and Seton Hall. All three were very strong teams that figured to make some serious noise in the NCAA Tournament.

Creighton will be a team to watch, as they return game-breaking guard Marcus Zegarowski. He was an all-conference talent last year as a sophomore — with 16.1 points and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 42.4 percent from three — and could very well win conference player of the year.

Marcus Zegarowski is always ready for the big moment. #25 Creighton tops Providence 78-74.

pic.twitter.com/VzroqJ1b0w

— CollegeBB News (@CollegeBBNCAA) January 18, 2020

Providence is another team to have an eye on, as they’ve brought in a couple double-digit scorers from elsewhere in the country. And although the Friars started last season awfully slow, they won six in a row to close the year — including wins over Villanova and Seton Hall — and gave bettors a reason to believe.

Villanova Over Value

Providence is probably the most interesting value pick on the board, but Villanova is the steady favorite for a reason. A precarious season like this will favor strong, uber-talented veteran teams and that’s what the Wildcats are.

First day of practice 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐃 😤 pic.twitter.com/NA4bKllnyb

— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) October 14, 2020

I mean, seriously: four returning starters that average double-digit points? Villanova is the rightful favorite here, and bettors should act accordingly.

Pick: Villanova Wildcats (+125)