Big East Tournament 2012: Unranked Teams in Title Game Is Major Letdown

The Big East had three teams ranked in the Top 25 heading into the Big East title game, not one of them is in the final.

Syracuse, Marquette and Georgetown have all fallen, and now the conference will be represented by Louisville and Cincinnati.

It won't impact many bubble teams, as both squads were likely in the tournament without a deep run, but it does impact the appeal of the game in itself.

Cincinnati is a nice story as they have rebounded from the ugly brawl with Xavier early this season, but they aren't a major draw.

This team has battled through Georgetown in double overtime and upset Syracuse. They do deserve credit for this run, but no one outside of Ohio was sitting up hoping they would advance to the final.

Louisville started the season ranked ninth, and reached fourth in the nation, but they had two crucially bad stints in the regular season. They lost four of five and four of six on separate occasions.

The Cardinals have knocked off Seton Hall, Marquette and Notre Dame. This team has the talent to play with anybody, but the inconsistency has them out of the Top 25 and forefront of college basketball fans' minds. 

The game is also void of major NBA prospects, which always increases intrigue.

Kyle Kuric is the Cardinals' leading scorer, but not a major prospect. Gorgui Deng is a raw, athletic frontcourt player, but he isn't ready for scouts or national attention yet, he is only a sophomore.

Cincinnati is a team of grinders, but Sean Kilpatrick and big man Yancy Gates are the players to watch in the final.

These are quality talents, but a far cry from stars like Kemba Walker like we saw in 2011. Because of a lack of stars, marquee teams and bubble implications, the final is a bit bland.

Louisville is making their second consecutive appearance, but most expected to see Syracuse, UConn or Marquette in the final.

Honestly, it would have been more exciting. Now we have a final that amounts to nothing more than a contest to determine slight seeding specifications.

This is not what you expect from the Big East Championship game. Maybe we'll get a classic contest, but not as many eyes will be on the final.