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Bracketology 2.27.12: Big East Regular-Season Finales Could Sort Out NCAA Tournament Statuses

The Big East Conference will wra -up its men's basketball regular-season schedule this week, and for a lot of schools there's a lot to play for. Currently, just the No. 2-ranked Syracuse Orange basically know their post-season fate -- a No. 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament -- but many others are still trying to improve their March Madness resume before Selection Sunday, March 11.

Here's a quick Bracketology rundown for the final week.

Marquette Golden Eagles (24-5, 13-3)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 3 vs.No. 14 Middle Tennessee St.
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 3 vs. No. 14 Belmont
Remaining schedule: at Cincinnati (Wed.), vs. Georgetown (Sat.)
Quick take: After struggling out of the Big East gate with a 1-2 start, Marquette has won 12 of its last 13 contests and are ready to make a run at a No. 2 seed, possible No. 1, in the NCAA Tournament.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (20-9, 12-4)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 5 vs. No. 12 BYU Cougars
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 5 vs. No. 12 Long Beach St.
Remaining schedule: at Georgetown (Monday), vs. Providence (Friday)
Quick take: There's no argument that Irish are the biggest surprise of the year, however, there's still doubt surrounding a program that's just 4-4 in the last two postseasons.

Georgetown Hoyas (21-6, 11-5)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 3 vs. No. 14 Belmont
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 3 vs. Akron
Remaining schedule: vs. Notre Dame (Mon.), at Marquette (Sat.)
Quick take: Picked to finish 10th in the conference in the preseason, the Hoyas are trying to make a push for, at least, a No. 3-4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

South Florida Bulls (18-11, 11-5)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): First Four Out
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 13 vs. No. 13 Xavier (First Four Round)
Remaining schedule: at Louisville (Wed.), vs. WVU (Sat.).
Quick take: The Bulls have an impressive league record, but they need an impressive victory to earn a NCAA Tournament bid.

Cincinnati Bearcats (20-9, 10-6)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 10 vs. No. 7 San. Diego St. Aztecs.
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 11 vs. No. 6 Florida Gators
Remaining schedule: vs. Marquette (Wed.), at Villanova (Sat.).
Quick take: The Bearcats are looking just to "win baby", as a NCAA Tournament outright bid will be tough to earn without a string of victories.

Louisville Cardinals (22-7, 10-6)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 4 vs. No. 13 Iona Gaels
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 4 vs. Middle Tennessee St.
Remaining schedule: vs. South Florida (Wed.), at Syracuse (Sat.).
Quick take: The Cardinals could go one of two ways in the next few weeks, as they could become postseason ready or a favorite to be upset in round two of the NCAA Tournament.

Seton Hall Pirates (19-10, 8-9)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 11 vs. No. 6 Murray St.
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 11 vs. No. 6 Murray St.
Remaining schedule: at DePaul (Sat.).
Quick take: The victory over Georgetown, Feb. 21, seemed to be the one that would help the Pirates get into the tournament until a loss to rival Rutgers on Sunday killed post-season momentum. Now, its don't lose to DePaul!

Connecticut Huskies (17-11, 7-9)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 10 vs. No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 10 vs. No. 7 New Mexico
Remaining schedule: at Providence (Tues.), vs. Pittsburgh (Sat.).
Quick take: The loss to Syracuse on Sat. has put the Huskies in two most-win situations to end the regular season. A loss in the next two games could end back-to-back national championship hopes.

West Virginia Mountaineers (17-12, 7-9)

ESPN's Lunardi (Feb. 27): No. 12 vs. No. 5 Florida St. Seminoles.
SB Nation's Dobbertean (Feb. 27): No. 12 vs. No. 5 Temple Owls
Remaining schedule: vs. DePaul (Tuesday), at USF (Sat.).
Quick take: A few weeks ago, WVU seemed a long to earn a trip to March Madness, but losses in seven of last nine games have ended all of that talk. Mountaineers can't slip up now.

For a look at what the Big East Tournament would look like today, check out this SB Nation New York StoryStream. If you're a college basketball nut, SB Nation's college basketball hub will solve your hoops cravings.