Big East Tournament 2013: Players to Watch in the Conference Tournament

With the Big East Tournament getting underway Tuesday night, fans and critics are focusing on players that will be game changers for their respective teams. Ryan Rudnansky of Bleacher Report calls Cincinnati an “underdog to watch,” largely because of junior guard Sean Kilpatrick’s extremely impressive play. He is just one of the players who will be worth keeping an eye on this week.

Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinatti

Kilpatrick averaged 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds this season, making him fourth in scoring in the Big East. He also grabbed second place in three-pointers with 2.52 per game.

On Saturday, March 2, Kilpatrick had a tremendous game against Connecticut, grabbing 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, leading his squad to a 61-56 victory over the Huskies.

Kilpatrick was also recently named to the second team All-Big East Conference for the second season in a row, according to FOX19.com. Cincinatti will play Providence in its first game of the tournament, and with Kilpatrick leading the Bearcats, an upset could be in sight.

Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse

Another key guard to watch in the Big East Tournament is Syracuse’s sophomore guard Michael Carter-Williams, who tops the Big East in assists and steals with 7.6 and 2.9 per game, respectively.

Carter-Williams can be a dominant scorer, too. On March 9, during Syracuse’s loss to Georgetown, the guard played 38 minutes and scored nearly half of the total points scored by Syracuse.

Not only is Carter-Williams dominant in assists, steals and scoring, but he’s also fast improving. This year, he shares the Big East’s Most Improved Player Award with Providence’s Kadeem Batts. As a freshman, Carter-Williams played only 10.3 minutes per game, and now he’s averaging 34.7 minutes per game and 12.5 points along with that.

Moreover, Carter-Williams was also named to the All-Big East second team, and he’s a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award that is given to the best overall point guard. Syracuse will face the winner of the USF-Seton Hall game in the tournament, and Carter-Williams will undoubtedly be the team’s most powerful asset.

Gorgui Dieng, Louisville

It’s no secret that Louisville junior center Gorgui Dieng will prove a force to be reckoned with during the Big East tournament. The 6’11" big man was recently named the Big East’s Defensive Player of the Year, coming in second in rebounding with 10.1 per game and second in blocked shots with 2.6 per game.

Dieng had a huge game against Notre Dame on March 9, totaling 29 points, 11 rebounds and three steals, helping Louisville to a 73-57 win over the Irish. This Big East tournament will likely be Dieng’s last, as Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com reported that Louisville head coach Rick Pitino called Dieng “98-percent gone” to the 2013 NBA Draft.

Obviously, Louisville will be dominant as long as the center comes to play this week. First, Louisville will take on the winner of the St. John’s-Villanova game.