Big East Tournament 2012 Bracket: Teams That Will Make Surprise Runs

The Big East was the powerhouse of college basketball for years, but aside from Syracuse, there is no one in the conference that really makes you stand up and take notice. 

Marquette is clearly the second best team in the conference and no one talks about them as a threat to do much of anything. 

This year's conference tournament is a wide open race, which has really become a hallmark of this. Connecticut wasn't on anyone's radar last year, and things worked out well for them. 

Here are the teams that could be this year's Connecticut. 

Louisville Cardinals

It has been a rough three weeks for the Cardinals, with four losses in their last six games. They haven't gotten blown out, but they aren't doing enough to come out on top either. 

After a 12-0 start to the season, Rick Pitino's bunch has gone just 10-9. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement for the Cardinals. Don't be fooled, they have the talent to compete with the best teams in the conference. 

If their shooters actually show up, which has not happened a lot lately, they have the talent to make sure they get past at least the first two rounds. 

Cincinnati Bearcats

The Bearcats have a leg up on the other dark horse contenders in this tournament because they have already beaten three of the top four teams—Georgetown, Notre Dame, Marquette. 

They ended the season on a hot streak, with five wins in their last six games and came after losing four of their previous six. 

Like Connecticut last year, the Bearcats have been searching for consistency in conference play. They are well coached and disciplined, but need to put it all together on the court for the next five days. 

Connecticut Huskies

Who better to play the Connecticut Huskies than UConn?

This was not exactly the strong follow-up season that Jim Calhoun and his staff were looking for following a national championship in 2011, but there is no time to wonder what might have been. 

A mediocre 18-12 record aside, this team is still loaded with talent. Players like Jeremy Lamb and Ryan Boatright have been bright spots, everyone else around them has to step up their game. 

They got off to a good start against DePaul on Tuesday. A matchup against West Virginia today will likely seal their fate for the NCAA tournament. 

We know they are going to have the coaching to make a deep run. Even without a Kemba Walker-type player on the team this year, they can do it again if everyone tries to play together. 

Tuesday, March 6 - First Round

Game 1: Connecticut def. DePaul, 81-67
Game 2: Pittsburgh def. St. John's. 73-59
Game 3: Seton Hall def. Providence, 79-47
Game 4: Villanova def. Rutgers, 70-49

Wednesday, March 7 - Second Round

12:00 p.m.: Connecticut vs. No. 8 West Virginia (Game 5) - ESPN
2:00 p.m.: Pitt vs. No. 5 Georgetown (Game 6) - ESPN
7:00 p.m.: Seton Hall vs. No. 7 Louisville (Game 7) - ESPN
9:00 p.m.: Villanova vs. No. 6 USF (Game 8) - ESPN

Thursday, March 8 - Quarterfinals

12:00 p.m.: Game 5 Winner vs. No. 1 Syracuse (Game 9) - ESPN
2:00 p.m.: Game 6 Winner vs. No. 4 Cincinnati (Game 10) - ESPN
7:00 p.m.: Game 7 Winner vs. No. 2 Marquette (Game 11) - ESPN
9:00 p.m.: Game 8 Winner vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (Game 12) - ESPN

Friday, March 9 - Semifinals

7:00 p.m.: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner - ESPN
9:00 p.m.: Game 11 Winner vs. Game 12 Winner - ESPN

Saturday, March 10 - Championship Game

9:00 p.m.: Semifinal Winners - ESPN

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