Only four teams remain in the 2012 Big East Tournament, including a somewhat unlikely candidate, the Louisville Cardinals. The Cardinals own an impressive 24-9 overall record, but at 10-8, have struggled in conference play this season. They finished the year losing two consecutive games and four of their last six, but caught fire in the Big East Tournament, first defeating the Seton Hall Pirates, followed by a 13-point win over the ninth-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles.
On Friday the Cardinals will look to continue their winning ways against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are coming off an overtime win over South Florida. These two teams have only met once this season, with Notre Dame upsetting the then 10th ranked Cardinals in double overtime.
Tip is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN3D, and the winner will face the winner of Syracuse vs. Cincinnati in the championship game.
For complete coverage of the Big East Tournament, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For more on the Big East Conference, visit the SB Nation blog Big East Coast Bias.