Big East Tournament 2013 Schedule: Potential Matchups We Would Love to See

Few conferences in the country are deeper than the Big East. For this reason, every round of the 2013 Big East tournament will be exciting.

Quarterfinal matchups are games that could legitimately occur in the Sweet 16 or later in the NCAA tournament. Of the 12 teams remaining, almost all of them have an opportunity to go on a run and win the Big East tournament. 

Still, there are a few contests that fans would love to watch more than others. Here are the games we are hoping to see at some point at Madison Square Garden over the next week.

Notre Dame vs. Marquette, Quarterfinals

Although Notre Dame is securely in the NCAA tournament field, very little is known about this team. Throughout the season, the Fighting Irish have generally been winning the games they should and losing to better teams.

A five-overtime home win over Louisville is really the only impressive performance against a top team all year.

The Irish lost a close game at Marquette earlier in the month, but this is a good opportunity to show what they can do on a neutral court. Regardless of what happens, it will give insight into what to expect in the NCAA tournament.

However, a loss before the quarterfinals should not provide confidence for anyone involved heading into the Big Dance.

Georgetown vs. Syracuse, Semifinals

Last week, Georgetown and Syracuse played their last regular-season game as conference rivals. Few fans would be upset to watch them battle one more time. 

The Orange have a bit of a harder path with Pittsburgh looming in the quarterfinals and the weight of losing four of five games on their back. However, the shooting numbers are bound to turnaround for this talented team.

If both squads are playing at their best, there is little doubt that they should be able to meet in the semifinals.

One more intense battle in the Big East tournament would be a fitting way to truly end the rivalry between Jim Boeheim and both John Thompson III and his father. 

Louisville vs. Georgetown, Finals

Few teams in the country are playing better than Louisville or Georgetown at this point in the year. Since these squads last faced each other on Jan. 26, they have each compiled an impressive 10-1 record.

Both sides play intimidating defenses and like to keep games in the 60s or lower. While the Hoyas' Otto Porter and the Cardinals' Russ Smith can each lead their team with great offensive games, they should both struggle in this battle.

While there are plenty of other great teams that could reach the championship game, these are the two top Final Four contenders in the conference. If they face each other in the finals, the fans will be the true winners.

Full Schedule (via BigEast.org)

Second Round - Wednesday, March 13

Game No.	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
3	Cincinnati vs. Providence	12 p.m.	ESPN
4	South Florida/Seton Hall vs. Syracuse	2 p.m.	ESPN
5	St. John's vs. Villanova	7 p.m.	ESPN2
6	DePaul/Rutgers vs. Notre Dame	9 p.m.	ESPN2

Quarterfinals - Thursday, March 14

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

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