Big East Basketball 2013 - Conference Tournament: Bracket, Predictions & Conversation

With the Big East Conference tournament championship right around the corner, it is still somewhat unclear who will be in it.

Late in the first half, Syracuse was dominating the Georgetown Hoyas, the number one seeded team in the tournament. Trevor Cooney came off the bench and hit two of three 3-point attempts to give the Orange a big lead. Going into the half, the No. 5 seeded Orangemen led 29-20 and didn't look to be slowing down.

If Syracuse were to defeat the Hoyas, they would go on to face the winner of the match-up between the Louisville Cardinals and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

The Cardinals are hoping to keep up the pressure against Notre Dame after defeating them 73-57 less than a week ago and would love to make it into the finals and have a chance to defend their title from last year.

Louisville's Russ Smith has been spectacular this year, averaging 18.3 points per game, including an emotional 28-point performance on a twisted ankle. Just before the game, he was given the news that his high school coach had passed away and his performance reflected the powerful emotions surging through him. Five out of character turnovers were but an undertone to his 7 of 12 shooting from the field.

Don't count out the Fighting Irish, however. Jerian Grant and Jack Cooley have been strong all year, contributing more than 26 points per game between the duo with Cooley also averaging 10.4 boards to go with his points.

Notre Dame's appearance in the semifinals marks their fourth straight appearance in the Big East semis and with five of their last seven meetings with the Cardinals going to overtime, it could be yet another nail biter.

Louisville will hope to make it three-for-three against the Fighting Irish in the Big East tournament and will try to repeat their 64-50 victory in last year's semis.

Predictions:

Louisville will be too powerful for the Fighting Irish to overcome, given their success in the Big East this year. With the momentum of eight straight wins carrying them into the semis, it will be hard for Notre Dame to stop Smith and Chane Behanan's offensive attack. Second chances will also be difficult to come by with Gorgui Dieng and Behanan averaging nearly 17 boards each game between the pair.

Louisville will go on to meet Syracuse in the finals where the Cardinals will take home their second straight Big East Conference tournament championship in a row.