Big East Tournament to Feature Three No.1 NCAA Seeds?

The 2009 Big East Tournament was already going to make a lot of headlines. With the power at the top of the Big East, the conference tournament promised a lot of super showdowns. But now, the 2009 Big East Tournament could make another bit of history. With Pittsburgh and Connecticut all but locked in for number 1 NCAA Tournament seed, the hype coming into this week is whether Louisville can be a third.

Connecticut and Pitt have dominated much of the talk around the Big East this season. However, while they weren't looking, Louisville actually became the top team in the conference. Louisville's win over West Virginia, and the Panthers win over the Huskies, gave the Cardinals the top seed in the Big East Tournament.

So now, at least until Louisville loses in the 2009 Big East Tournament, the hype over having three number 1 NCAA seeds from the Big East will be in full swing. Countless comparisons to 1985 will also be made, since the Big East had three teams in the Final Four that year, and could be looked upon to do that again in 2009.

Louisville started very slowly, and was racked by injuries before Big East play. But the Cardinals finally played to form and won the Big East regular season, only losing two lopsided games to Connecticut and Notre Dame.

Pittsburgh and Connecticut were more highly ranked all season. However, the Huskies suffered from two losses to Pitt and a loss to Georgetown, back when the Hoyas were actual threats. The Panthers got tripped up by Louisville, Villanova and Providence.

Louisville is now being talked about for a number 1 NCAA seed because of Oklahoma's recent slip ups, and Memphis once again winning close to 20 straight in a very weak conference. If Pittsburgh and Connecticut have two top seeds, and North Carolina has the third, Louisville can play its way into the fourth by winning the Big East Tournament, and with a little help.

To do that, the Cardinals must first face either Providence, Cincinnati or DePaul in the quarterfinals, then likely Villanova or Marquette in the semis. The Panthers and Huskies, on the other hand, might have to beat each other up for a third time in the Big East semifinals before the conference final.

The 2009 Big East Tournament starts with teams outside of the NCAA bubble, however. Tuesday's warmup round has Cincinnati against DePaul, Georgetown vs. St. John's, Notre Dame taking on Rutgers, and Seton Hall against South Florida. Providence, Marquette, Syracuse and West Virginia play the winners.

Under the new format, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Connecticut don't have to play until Thursday, with Villanova getting the final bye.

Sources

College Hoops Net- "Big East Tournament: Pairings & Schedule Set" collegehoopsnet.com/big-east-tournament-pairings-schedule-set-166007

ESPN- "Andy Katz: What we learned Saturday" sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story