Big East Tournament 2013: Round-by-Round Predictions

In one of the most highly-anticipated events of the 2013 college basketball season, the Big East tournament will commence on Mar. 12. With exception of the ineligible Connecticut Huskies, some of the nations' top teams will be in action.

The question is, which team will be crowned as the kings of the Big East?

From unforeseen upsets to overtime thrillers, we're bound to have it all. As history tells us, we're destined to see the unthinkable transpire.

So how will each round go in one of the most highly-anticipated tournaments of the year?

Opening Round, March 12

No. 13 USF vs. No. 12 Seton Hall

During their first meeting, Seton Hall defeated South Florida by a score of 55-47 on Jan. 23. Fuquan Edwin led the charge with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Jawanza Poland led USF with 13 points in a losing effort.

Since that game, USF is 2-10 and Seton Hall is 1-11.

With the stakes high, look for the Bulls to exact a measure of revenge. They've won two of three and have the necessary momentum to pull this one out.

Look for Victor Rudd to step up inside and lead an ugly win.

USF 51, Seton Hall 44

No. 14 DePaul vs. No. 11 Rutgers

DePaul has lost 17 of their past 19 games. Rutgers has lost 12 of their past 15 games.

As fate would have it, the last time DePaul won was on Feb. 16—against Rutgers.

This time around, expect a similar result. Rutgers' leading scorer, Eli Carter, is out with a broken leg and the Scarlet Knights have suffered because of it.

The Blue Demons advance behind Brandon Young and Cleveland Melvin.

DePaul 61, Rutgers 52

Second Round, March 13

No. 9 Cincinnati vs. No. 8 Providence

The Providence Friars may be ranked higher, but they're the undeniable underdogs in this one. Rightfully so.

Sean Kilpatrick will rise up for Cincinnati and snap the Bearcats out of a recent funk in which they've lost six of nine games. One of those defeats came at the hands of Providence.

With that being said, Kilpatrick is a conference star that is making a homecoming to the New York area. In front of his friends and family, the three-ball will fall and the Bearcats will advance.

In turn, they'll preserve their NCAA tournament contention.

Cincinnati 68, Providence 57

No. 14 USF vs. No. 5 Syracuse

USF earned a quality win in the opening round, but they're simply outmatched by Syracuse.

Regardless of their ranking, we all know the Orange to be a threat to the title. With C.J. Fair catching fire and Michael Carter-Williams rediscovering his groove, we'll see 'Cuse take their first steps to such success.

It will be close early, but look for Fair to blow it open in the second half.

Syracuse 81, USF 65

No. 10 St. John's vs. No. 7 Villanova

St. John's is, technically speaking, the hometown team. Unfortunately, they're not the team with momentum.

Coming off of a win over Georgetown, Villanova will enter this game with confidence. Behind point guard Ryan Arcidiacono, they'll back that up with a gritty victory.

The Red Storm will keep it close, but the Wildcats simply have too much firepower for St. John's to contain.

Villanova 68, St. John's 59

No. 14 DePaul vs. No. 6 Notre Dame

This may seem like an easy win for Notre Dame, but they're on Upset Alert in this one.

The Fighting Irish barely escaped DePaul on Feb. 13, winning 82-78 in overtime. Although reasonably favored, the Irish will have similar struggles against the Blue Demons on Mar. 13.

With that being said, Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant will prove to be an elite backcourt tandem. Between their scoring prowess and facilitating mastery, both men will pace the Irish to victory.

A tough win, but a victory nonetheless.

Notre Dame 70, DePaul 62

Quarterfinals, March 14

No. 9 Cincinnati vs. No. 1 Georgetown

This will be one of the most intriguing matchups of the tournament as Sean Kilpatrick squares off against Otto Porter.

Cincinnati will make this one interesting as Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright make big plays throughout the first 35 minutes. When it comes down to the end of the game, however, Porter will be too much.

Cincinnati struggles at the free-throw line and is far too inconsistent from beyond the arc. Porter and Markel Starks will win it late.

Georgetown 71, Cincinnati 65

No. 5 Syracuse vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a scrappy team that has caught many by surprise with their success. Syracuse, meanwhile, is an elite team that just hasn't found a way to put it all together.

With a chance to win the Big East championship and silence the critics, expect the Orange to come out firing. They'll take down Pittsburgh in a physical and ugly battle, but one that results in a W.

C.J. Fair's rise to national stardom continues.

Syracuse 65, Pittsburgh 59

No. 7 Villanova vs. No. 2 Louisville

The Louisville Cardinals are a team with underrated boom-or-bust potential. Without any form of offensive consistency, the Cardinals could run into trouble.

Fortunately, Peyton Siva is as clutch as they come, and he will contain Ryan Arcidiacono. With Villanova's point guard limited, the Cardinals will find a way to win this one.

Rick Pitino's bunch continues their inconsistently brilliant season.

Louisville 62, Villanova 54

No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Marquette

Notre Dame enters this game with a second-round victory behind them. With Jerian Grant and Chris Atkins, they also have what appears to be a significant positional advantage.

Not so fast.

Vander Blue will step up in this one, providing efficient scoring. Davante Gardner will do his best to counter Jack Cooley as well, and the Golden Eagles will be in control late.

It will come down to a battle between Grant and Blue—the latter will emerge as Marquette wins our first overtime thriller.

Marquette 81, Notre Dame 74 OT

Semifinals, March 15

No. 1 Georgetown vs. No. 5 Syracuse

The first time these two teams played, Georgetown won 57-46 at Syracuse. The next time they played, the Hoyas won 61-39.

The question is can the Orange score more than their average of 42.5 points per game against Georgetown? I'm inclined to say yes.

Specifically because this one is going to overtime.

The Orange will make this one interesting, as C.J. Fair rivals Otto Porter's production. With Michael Carter-Williams countering Markel Starks, it will come down to the role players.

Georgetown is the hotter team. With that being said, there's no way Jim Boeheim loses to one team on three different occasions in one season.

Orange win a classic.

Syracuse 83, Georgetown 78 2OT

No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 3 Marquette

In a battle between two of the scrappiest teams in the nation, Louisville will go against Marquette. The question is, which team has the better combination of resiliency and skill players?

That question will be answered in the form of a point guard battle.

Vander Blue and Russ Smith will put on a memorable battle while Chane Behanan and Jamil Wilson will each make their mark. When it comes down to it, however, it will be about the floor generals.

Peyton Siva outlasts Junior Cadougan for a rough win over Marquette.

Louisville 59, Marquette 54

Finals, March 16

No. 5 Syracuse vs. No. 2 Louisville 

During their first two games against one another, Syracuse and Louisville split wins. Both were memorable battles, and each left a sour taste in the other's mouth.

So who takes home the grudge match and wins the Big East championship?

Louisville is red hot, having won seven straight entering the tournament. Syracuse, meanwhile, will have avenged a loss to Georgetown in this scenario.

With smothering defense and a surprising scoring outburst from Wayne Blackshear, however, it's the Cardinals who achieve true vengeance.

Gorgui Dieng will salvage his draft stock, keeping Michael Carter-Williams out of the paint. Peyton Siva, Russ Smith and Blackshear, meanwhile, will patrol the perimeter.

It will take a late-game push, but Louisville will outlast Syracuse and emerge as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Louisville 69, Syracuse 67