Big East Tournament 2012: Louisville Beats Seton Hall, Advances to Quarterfinals

The Louisville Cardinals may not be the prettiest team in the world, but they are one tough bunch.

After slopping to a 23-22 halftime lead over Seton Hall in Round 2 of the Big East tournament, the full-court press worked spectacularly, and the Cardinals ended up with the 61-55 win.

And it wasn't even that close.

The Pirates turned the ball over 17 times, with the vast majority coming against the relentless pressure as soon as the ball was inbounded. They looked like a team that wasn't prepared for it, and that’s inexcusable. It looks like Seton Hall is now NIT-bound, barring some serious luck.

The Cardinals (23-9, 10-8 Big East, 28 RPI) have probably clinched at least a No. 5 seed in the Big Dance. With 10 wins against the RPI top 100 and a 9-4 record down the stretch in the rugged Big East, the Cardinals have a robust resume.

Louisville has one of the country's best point guards in Peyton Siva.

Not only is Siva lighting fast with the ball in his hands and able to penetrate at will but he has the sort of defensive intensity that can't be taught. In addition to scoring a team-high 14 points against Seton Hall, Siva registered six steals. Most of those came during the press, and the others were secured with incredible anticipation in the passing lanes.

With a better resume than other potential No. 5 seeds such as Florida, Wichita State and Notre Dame, the Cards are a lock.

The only question now is if they can keep rising. Beating Big East No. 2 Marquette on Thursday would place them squarely on the No. 4 seed line.

Win the title?

Pencil them in for a third seed. 

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