Big East Tournament 2013 Schedule: Start Times, Live Streaming and TV Info

An overhaul in the Big East has resulted in a mass exodus from the conference, causing 2013 to be the last year fans will ever get to see the historic Big East tournament the way it should always be remembered.

Not only are rumors flying about Notre Dame joining Syracuse and Pittsburgh in the ACC (h/t ESPN), but the talk that DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova are all leaving the Big East (h/t CBS Sports) would strip the conference to its core.

College basketball fans must enjoy this final ride.

As great as this final tournament will be, the fact that UConn is not permitted to participate (h/t ESPN) because of academic issues has marred the hype around the event.

The Big East tournament is one of the most exciting in all of college basketball, and the hope from every hoops fan is that the former conference superpower puts on one final show worthy of the grand stage it will be presented on.

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

When: March 12-16

Watch: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU

Live Stream: BIGEAST.TV

Mobile Stream: BIGEASTMobile.com

Full Bracket

Schedule (via BigEast.org)

First Round - Tuesday, March 12

Game No.	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
1	No. 13 seed vs. No. 12 seed	7 p.m.	ESPNU
2	No. 14 seed vs. No. 11 seed	9 p.m.	ESPNU

Second Round - Wednesday, March 13

Game No.	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
3	No. 9 seed vs. No. 8 seed	12 p.m.	ESPN
4	Game 1 winner vs. No. 5 seed	2 p.m.	ESPN
5	No. 10 seed vs. No. 7 seed	7 p.m.	ESPN2
6	Game 2 winner vs. No. 6 seed	9 p.m.	ESPN2

Quarterfinals - Thursday, March 14

Game No.	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
7	Game 3 winner vs. No. 1 seed	12 p.m.	ESPN
8	Game 4 winner vs. No. 4 seed	2 p.m.	ESPN
9	Game 5 winner vs. No. 2 seed	7 p.m.	ESPN
10	Game 6 winner vs. No. 3 seed	9 p.m.	ESPN

Semifinals - Friday, March 15

Game No.	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
11	Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner	7 p.m.	ESPN
12	Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner	9 p.m.	ESPN

Championship

Game No.	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
13	Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner	8:30 p.m.	ESPN

Sleeper Team to Watch: Villanova Wildcats

While there are more impressive teams in the conference, the Villanova Wildcats could be one of the most dangerous lineups in this year’s Big East tournament.

On paper, the Wildcats have been less than impressive in 2013, averaging 68.2 points (154th in the nation), 36.2 rebounds (104th in the nation) and a field-goal percentage of just .416 (259th in the nation) per game this season.

That’s why the game’s aren’t played on paper, though.

As much as the Wildcats have struggled at times—especially against teams they should have no trouble beating—Villanova has stolen huge victories over college basketball powerhouses like Louisville, Syracuse and Georgetown.

Led by the stellar play of freshmen guard Ryan Arcidiacono (12.2 PPG and 3.5 APG), the Wildcats have blossomed into a dangerous team that could easily make a dent in the Big East tournament.

Villanova plays St. John's in their first matchup of the event, and if the Wildcats can make it past the Red Storm on Wednesday, there is little doubt that the talented squad will have a chance to steal the show and win the final real Big East tournament college hoops fans will ever witness.

Follow @Donald_Wood