March Madness betting is getting ready to begin, and the Big East should have the most number of teams in the 64-team NCAA Tournament. Here is a look at the top Big East schools that sports betting players should consider while going over this year’s sportsbook odds for the big dance. As of February 5, the Big East has six teams in the top 25 rankings, including four of the top 10, led by #1 Connecticut.

Connecticut

March Madness odds currently have UConn at +450 to win the tournament, putting them behind only preseason favorites North Carolina. The Huskies are deep and experience, they are 14^th in the nation in opposition field-goal percentage, and they can hurt you inside and out on the offensive end of the floor. Senior guard A.J. Price was hurt during last year’s first-round loss to San Diego, and he’ll be eager to carry the Huskies deep into the Tournament this year.

Louisville

The Cardinals are just behind UConn with March Madness odds of +500, but their recent home beating at the hands of the Huskies proves that Louisville still has a way to go. Earl Clark and Terrance Williams are as good a forward duo as you’ll find in the country, and the Cardinals are very solid on defense, coming in 16^th in opposition field-goal percentage. However, if the Cardinals want to compete with the nation’s elite, they’ll need to get more consistent play out of their point guards, particularly junior Edgar Sosa.

Pittsburgh

The Panthers won’t allow you beat them on the boards, as they are third in the nation in rebounding margin. Sam Young and DeJuan Blair are beasts at the forward position, but point guard LeVance Fields is the straw that stirs the Pittsburgh drink, as he is third in the NCAA in assists. The Panthers are good value according to March Madness odds, coming in at +1000, and a trip to the Elite Eight wouldn’t be very surprising after they fizzled out in the second round in 2008.

Marquette

The Golden Eagles have quietly been the only team in the Big East with an unbeaten record to date, but they still have to go to Villanova, Georgetown, Louisville and Pittsburgh. In a conference known for its defense, Marquette is putting up 81.6 points, good for 10^th in the country. Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews combine for 39.2 points as a deadly backcourt duo, but Marquette’s bench leaves a lot to be desired, which could be their downfall come March. Still, at +3000, the Golden Eagles would be a safe March Madness odds pick.

Villanova

The Wildcats are another team that March Madness odds aren’t giving much credit to, coming in at +6000, but Villanova can play defense with the best of them as they are 19^th in the NCAA in opposition field-goal appearance. Villanova’s three losses in the Big East have come by a margin of 4.7 points, and they were very competitive at UConn and Louisville in two of those games. Dante Cunningham and Scottie Reynolds form a dangerous combo, but the onus will be on Reynolds, Villanova’s senior point guard, to carry the Wildcats as far as they’ll go.