But it won't be easy. Surging Xavier has been the best team in the Big East since Feb. 1, per Bart Torvik. Sean Miller's crew is squarely on the bubble entering the Big East Tournament, but a quarterfinals win over fourth-seeded Marquette would go a long way in solidifying Xavier's at-large bid.

Houston lost just one Big 12 game all season and is three wins away from securing a top seed on Selection Sunday. The Cougars lone conference loss came on Feb. 1 vs. No. 2 Texas Tech in overtime.

Entering the conference tournament the top four seeds in the Big East — St. John’s, Creighton, Connecticut, and Marquette — are considered locks to be in the field. Xavier r