2010 March Madness odds are almost here, but first, online betting players will have to get through the conference tournaments as the field of 64 is still shaking itself out. The Big East is the first major conference to get their tournament underway, and on Tuesday, one of the biggest disappointments of the season will be trying to muscle their way into the field as Connecticut squares off with St. John’s at Madison Square Garden.

UConn vs St. John’s odds - Tuesday, March 9, 12:00 PM ET

The Huskies (17-14, 7-11) began the season as the nation’s No.12 team, and things went south as soon as UConn lost coach Jim Calhoun for a few games with an undisclosed medical problem. The Huskies would thrash then-No.1 Texas, and then they would go on to lose five of their last six. The Huskies ended the season with three straight losses, falling 75-68 at South Florida to almost shut the door completely on their NCAA Tournament chances. Kemba Walker led the way with 18 points, but UConn was 2-of-17 from beyond the arc, and they went to the foul line just eight times. There’s more talent on the UConn roster than they’ve shown this year, and now they head into the Big East tournament knowing only a win of the whole thing will get them into the big dance.

The Red Storm (16-14) are probably too far out of it, but if you win the Big East tournament, you never know. St. John’s won 90-82 in overtime at DePaul to close out their regular season, and D.J. Kennedy went off for 32 points, nailing seven of his nine-point attempts. Paris Horne added 20 points for the Red Storm, who hit 12 three-pointers as a team, and went to the foul line 22 more times than DePaul, although they made only 20 of their 33 attempts.

The Huskies should be the favorites in this contest according to sportsbook odds (beted reviews), and their 75-59 romp over the Red Storm at home on January 20th was their ninth in a row over St. John’s. Jerome Dyson scored 20 points, while Stanley Robinson added 18 for the Huskies in their first game with Calhoun on the sidelines, and they may have to channel some of that emotion again on Tuesday. Kennedy had 19 points for the Red Storm, who shot 34.3% from the floor, while the Huskies shot 56.9%. The Huskies have a major talent advantage in this game, and Robinson is the key, as the Red Storm really don’t have anyone who can keep up with him. Look for the Huskies to roll in this contest.

Bet on college basketball: UConn