Big East Tournament 2012: Game-by-Game Predictions

The Big East Tournament is perhaps college basketball's most prestigious conference tournament. This week, 16 teams will crank it up a notch to contend for the 2012 crown.

Teams like Seton Hall and Connecticut need to perform well in these playoffs in order to make the big dance. Other squads such as Georgetown and Cincinnati would love to win this week and improve their NCAA seeding.

All other motives aside, there's truly nothing like reaching the top of the Big East mountain in Madison Square Garden.

How will this year's tournament play out? Here are game-by-game predictions for each matchup, all the way to Saturday's title game.

First Round (Tuesday)

No. 9 Connecticut vs. No. 16 DePaul (Tuesday, Noon) The Huskies have too many weapons for DePaul to slow them down. Connecticut rolls 76-65.

No. 12 St. John's vs. No. 13 Pittsburgh (Tuesday, 2 p.m.) This will be a close one, but I'll take experience over youth. Panthers win 68-62.

No. 10 Seton Hall vs. No. 15 Providence (Tuesday, 7 p.m.) Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope will make sure the Pirates move on. Seton Hall 63, Providence 53.

No. 11 Rutgers vs. No. 14 Villanova (Tuesday, 9 p.m.) The Wildcats will out-rebound Rutgers and make fewer mistakes than their last meeting. 'Nova advances, 64-58.

Second Round (Wednesday)

No. 8 West Virginia vs. No. 9 Connecticut (Wednesday, Noon) If Andre Drummond and Alex Oriakhi can handle the West Virginia bigs, the UConn guards will take care of the perimeter. Huskies win 71-63.

No. 5 Georgetown vs. No. 13 Pittsburgh (Wednesday, 2 p.m.) This game will be a defensive struggle and John Thompson's Hoyas won't let the Panthers get the best of them again. Georgetown 62, Pittsburgh 57.

No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 10 Seton Hall (Wednesday, 7 p.m.) The Pirates will make a run, but unless the Cardinals go cold, Lousville will win 66-60.

No. 6 USF vs. No. 14 Villanova (Wednesday, 9 p.m.) This will be a tight one, and the Bulls' defense will eventually win it. USF 63, 'Nova 55.

Quarterfinals (Thursday)

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 9 Connecticut (Thursday, Noon) It's tough to beat anyone three times in one season, but the Orange can do it. Syracuse 68, Connecticut 61.

No. 4 Cincinnati vs. No. 5 Georgetown (Thursday, 2 p.m.) Georgetown will look to avenge its February home loss. Hoyas win 74-62.

No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 7 Louisville (Thursday, 7 p.m.) The Golden Eagles are just too efficient and too deep. They will blow out Louisville, 77-60.

No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 6 South Florida (Thursday, 9 p.m.) This will be another grind-it-out ballgame, with the Bulls sneaking a victory over the Irish, 54-47.

Semifinals (Friday)

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 5 Georgetown (Friday, 7 pm.)

It's only appropriate that these teams get a rematch after their overtime battle in February. The atmosphere in the Garden will be electric, and the team that can execute on offense will win. The Orange will escape with another win over the Hoyas. Syracuse 61, Georgetown 55.

No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 6 South Florida (Friday, 9 p.m.)

The Bulls won't be able to keep up with Buzz Williams' high-powered Golden Eagles. Marquette averages 76 points per game while South Florida averages 59. Even if USF slows MU down a little bit, it won't be enough to top the Eagles. Marquette 67, South Florida 54.

Championship Game (Saturday)

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 2 Marquette (Saturday, 9 p.m)

When these two squads met in January, Marquette gave Syracuse a run for its money in the Carrier Dome.

The Golden Eagles will test the Orange again, but Jim Boeheim's crew has enough size and athleticism to control the complexion of the game.

If Syracuse can contain Darius Johnson-Odom, they'll be in great shape to take home the 2012 Big East banner.

Syracuse 68, Marquette 65.