Conference USA has come to Madison Square Garden. The Big East Championship is all set, and the No. 4 seeded Cincinnati Bearcats will face the No. 7 seed Louisville Cardinals on Saturday night in Manhattan. The two schools are separated by less than two hours in the Ohio Valley, but they will battle for conference crown.
On Friday night, the Bearcats got their biggest win since joining the Big East when they upset Syracuse 71-68 to advance. One night after knocking off the no. 2 seed in Marquette, the Cardinals then knocked off a no. 3 seeded Notre Dame squad in convincing fashion, clamping down on the defensive end with Rick Pitino's constant pressure. While this is UC's first appearance in the title game, Louisville won the tournament in 2009.
Big East Championship Game: Saturday, March 10
9 p.m.: No.4 Cincinnati vs. No. 7 Louisville (ESPN)
For all your Big East news during championship week, check out Big East Coast Bias. Click here for more on the 2012 Big East Tournament.