Round two of the 2012 Big East Conference men's basketball tournament tips off shortly, and for some schools there's more to play for than just winning the title on the floor of Madison Square Garden. For the Connecticut Huskies, Seton Hall Pirates and South Florida Bulls they're trying to solidify their NCAA Tournament at-large bids.
With victories on Tuesday, many Bracketologist have penciled in UConn and Seton Hall into the 68-team field. SB Nation's Chris Dobbertean has the Pirates as No. 12 seed, while UConn is a No. 10 seed.
ESPN's Joe Lunardi has Seton Hall as a No. 12 and facing the Xavier Musketeers in a first-round game in Dayton, OH, while the Huskies are a No. 10 seed. CBSSports.com's Jerry Palm is projecting the Pirates and Huskies as No. 11s.
Meanwhile, USF is currently in on the madness of March, but barley. Dobbertean and Palm both are predicting that the Bulls will earn a No. 12 seed, however, will be forced to participate in a first-round game in Dayton, while Lundari has the same seed, but, in the round of 64.
As for the West Virginia Mountaineers, Georgetown Hoyas and Louisville Cardinals, who're all playing Wednesday, are shoo-ins not matter their results in round two.
In conclusion, USF needs a victory to not sweat come Selection Sunday, while Seton Hall and UConn are in, however, who knows what will happen during the next few days when it comes to mid-major conference tournament.
A win put you in not matter what the results of those tournament, while a loss can still put them on the outside looking in.
— For complete coverage of the Big East Tournament, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For more on the Big East Conference, visit the SB Nation blog Big East Coast Bias.