Big East Tournament 2013: Predictions for Final Four Teams

The 2013 Big East Tournament tipped off on Tuesday, with Seton Hall winning an overtime thriller against underdog South Florida.

This is the last time the tournament will feature its traditional teams, as the Big East will be broken up after the season.

So who will win the tournament this year?

Here are my predictions of the semifinals matchups and the eventual champion.

Semifinals

Georgetown (1) vs. Pittsburgh (4)

After Georgetown defeats projected quarterfinals opponent Cincinnati, the Hoyas face Pittsburgh. The Panthers get to the semifinals by defeating projected quarterfinals opponent Syracuse.

As you may remember, Pittsburgh destroyed Georgetown on Jan. 8, 73-45. While Georgetown shot an uncharacteristic 35 percent in that game, the Panthers did highlight one of the Hoyas' biggest weaknesses: rebounding.

The Hoyas rank 120th in the nation in rebounding rate (per TeamRankings.com). Pitt ranks 11th in that category. 

Still, Georgetown is the better team overall. Pitt may have the better offense, but the Hoyas have the defense to avenge their loss on Jan. 8. The Hoyas rank sixth in the country in opponents' field-goal percentage (per TeamRankings.com).

Georgetown humiliated Syracuse on Saturday, 61-39. The Orange shot 32 percent from the field, including 1-of-11 from downtown.

Prediction: Georgetown advances

Louisville (2) vs. Marquette (3)

After defeating projected quarterfinals opponent Villanova (albeit barely), Louisville meets Marquette in the semifinals. Marquette gets here by defeating projected quarterfinals foe Notre Dame.

Louisville annihilated Marquette on Feb. 3, 70-51. While shooting 52 percent was uncharacteristic for the Cardinals, holding the Golden Eagles to 36 percent wasn't. Louisville ranks 21st in the nation in opponents' field-goal percentage (via TeamRankings.com).

The Cardinals won seven straight games to close off the regular season, capped off by a 73-57 victory over Notre Dame. They should be able to get through Marquette in the semifinals.

Prediction: Louisville advances

Championship Game

Georgetown (1) vs. Louisville (2)

I will be looking at one player in particular in this matchup: Georgetown freshman guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera.

Smith-Rivera may be the X-factor in this game. In the Hoyas' narrow 53-51 victory over Louisville on Jan. 26, the freshman scored just five points on 1-of-10 shooting. On the other hand, he's scored in double digits in three of his past four games.

Both teams can defend. We know that. Whoever finds that extra bit of offense figures to emerge victorious. I like the way Smith-Rivera is playing right now.

Prediction: Georgetown wins the 2013 Big East Tournament