Big East Tournament 2013 Bracket: Underdogs to Watch at Madison Square Garden

With the Big East set to lose as many as 10 teams by next season, the 2013 Big East tournament marks the last time fans can see the conference as it was intended to be.

In addition to the seven Catholic schools leaving to start a new league (via CBSSports.com), Notre Dame could join Pittsburgh and Syracuse in the ACC this summer (per ESPN).

It should make for a competitive atmosphere at Madison Square Garden in New York City as several teams attempt to capture the Big East championship before departing to new horizons.

Here's a look at three underdogs to watch for in the 2013 Big East tournament. The complete bracket can be found at BigEast.org.

3. Cincinnati (21-10, 9-9 Big East)

Cincinnati started off 12-0 and was ranked No. 8 in the country at one point this season, but the Bearcats have lost 10 of their last 19 since then.

Still, Cincy wouldn't have been ranked to start the season if it didn't have some talent. Junior guard Sean Kilpatrick is averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds this season, and senior guard JaQuon Parker has scored in double figures in six of the past seven games.

The Bearcats' draw in the Big East tournament is the biggest reason they could surprise. They lost to second-round opponent Providence by just four points on Feb. 6 and only lost to potential quarterfinals opponent Georgetown by seven points on Feb. 15.

There's also the fact that Cincinnati ranks ninth in offensive rebounding percentage and 19th in opponents' field-goal percentage, via TeamRankings.com. When you can rebound and defend like that, you always have a shot.

2. Villanova (19-12, 10-8 Big East)

Villanova has lost to Providence, Cincinnati and Seton Hall down the stretch, but the Wildcats have also beaten ranked teams Louisville, Syracuse, Marquette and (most recently) Georgetown.

In fact, the only ranked teams in the Big East Villanova hasn't beaten this season have been Pittsburgh and Notre Dame (Villanova lost an overtime thriller against Pittsburgh at Petersen Events Center).

Villanova plays St. John's in the second round to start things off. The Wildcats beat the Red Storm in overtime on Jan. 2. And they've shown they can beat just about anybody in the Big East.

1. Pittsburgh (24-7, 12-6 Big East)

Pittsburgh may not be as much of an underdog as Cincinnati or Villanova, but it's worth noting that this team wasn't even ranked until knocking off Syracuse on Feb. 2.

Since then, the Panthers have gone 6-2. They will likely face Syracuse in the quarterfinals. They could face either Georgetown, Cincinnati or Providence in the semifinals, all of whom they have beaten (they destroyed the Hoyas on Jan. 8, 73-45).

If they face one of the top two seeds on the other side of the bracket (Louisville or Marquette) in the championship game, they have a shot. They lost to Louisville by just three points on Jan. 28 and shot an uncharacteristic 42 percent in the 10-point loss to the Golden Eagles at the daunting BMO Harris Bradley Center on Feb. 16.