No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 9

Connecticut Pittsburgh (27-4)

* Leading scorer: Ashton Gibbs (16.4 ppg)

* Leading rebounder: Gary McGhee (7.8 rpg)

* Strengths: The Panthers are the best ball-handling team in the league. Because of a trio of stellar guards in Ashton Gibbs, Brad Wanamaker and Travon Woodall, Pittsburgh has averaged 17.5 assists (first in the Big East), 11.7 turnovers (third) and a league-best 1.53 assist-to-turnover ratio.

* Weaknesses: If Ashton Gibbs isn’t on the floor for the Panthers, they struggle to generate any perimeter offense. During the three games he missed because of a left knee injury, Pittsburgh shot just 4-for-24 from 3-point range.

Connecticut (23-9
)

* Leading scorer: Kemba Walker (23.2 ppg)

* Leading rebounder: Alex Oriakhi (8.6 rpg)

* Strengths: Connecticut’s biggest strength is an obvious one — its stellar point guard Kemba Walker. The Bronx native has proven that in his first two games this week, scoring 26 against DePaul before pouring in 28 against Georgetown yesterday.

* Weaknesses: If teams can contain Walker, who will step up and score for the Huskies?

No. 4 Syracuse vs. No. 5 St. John’s

Syracuse (25-6)

* Leading scorer: Kris Joseph (14.2 ppg)

* Leading rebounder: Rick Jackson (10.7 rpg)

* Strengths: Because of coach Jim Boeheim’s patented 2-3 zone, Syracuse ranks among the league’s leaders in several key defensive categories, including blocks (first with 6.71 per game), steals (second with 8.71) and rebounds (fifth with 37.6).

* Weaknesses: The Orange are the Big East’s worst team from the foul line, shooting 66 percent for the season.

St. John’s (21-10)

* Leading scorer: Dwight Hardy (17.9 ppg)

* Leading rebounder: D.J. Kennedy (5.9 rpg)

* Strengths: The biggest threat to a zone is a team that can shoot from the perimeter. Between Dwight Hardy, Paris Horne, Justin Brownlee and D.J. Kennedy, St. John’s has four players who can knock down an open 3-pointer.

* Weaknesses: St. John’s will have trouble stopping Syracuse’s Rick Jackson from dominating the paint. The 6-foot-9 center had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Orange in their only meeting.

Season result: Syracuse whipped St. John’s, 76-59.

No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Cincinnati

Notre Dame (25-5)

* Leading scorer: Ben Hansbrough (18.5 ppg)

* Leading rebounder: Carleton Scott (7.1 rpg)

* Strengths: The Irish come in on a four-game winning streak, shooting over 50 percent in three of those. Hansbrough is averaging 23.3 ppg on 56.7-percent shooting in their 10-1 finish.

* Weaknesses: Notre Dame allows 35.7 percent shooting from 3-point land.

Cincinnati (25-7)

* Leading scorer: Yancy Gates (11.3 ppg)

* Leading rebounder: Gates (6.9 rpg)

* Strengths: Cincinnati’s 58.6 ppg allowed in the regular-season was the league’s stingiest.

* Weaknesses: Cincinnati’s 66.5-percent shooting from the stripe could hurt it in a close game.

No. 3 Louisville vs. No. 11 Marquette

Louisville (23-8)

* Leading scorer: Preston Knowles (14.5 ppg)

* Leading rebounder: Terrence Jennings (5.3 rpg)

* Strengths: Pressure defense. Is it shocking a Rick Pitino team is leading the Big East is steals (9.48 per game) and second in turnover margin?

* Weaknesses: Louisville doesn’t have many, but one can be found at the foul line. Shooting 66.3 percent will come back to haunt them someday.

Marquette (20-13)

* Leading rebounder: Jae Crowder (6.8 rpg)

* Strengths: The Golden Eagles run their offense crisply, averaging a Big East-best 76.1.

* Weaknesses: Defense. Marquette has to outscore teams because they allowing 69 points and 44-percent shooting, both third highest in the league.

Season result: Louisville nipped Marquette, 71-70