Bracketology Watch: Joe Lunardi Moves Pitt Down But Revives Big East Rivalries

ESPN's Joe Lunardi sets up a potential meeting between the Pitt Panthers and some old Big East rivals in his latest bracket projections.

PITTSBURGH -- While ESPN's Joe Lunardi moved the Pitt Panthers down in his latest bracket predictions, he did set up a tantalizing hypothetical in which they face a rival from their old conference in the later rounds. 

Lunardi has Pitt pegged as a nine seed in the latest edition of his bracket. They'd face Maryland in the first round of the East Region and await the winner of top-seeded Kansas vs. No. 16 Milwaukee if they move on. The game would be held in Des Moines, Iowa. 

One benefit of this position - at least for Pitt fans - is that former Big East foes UConn and West Virginia are in the East Region as well - the Huskies as a five seed and the Mountaineers as a 10 seed. With Madison Square Garden in New York City set to host the East Regional final, an unofficial revival of the old Big East Tournament is possible. 

UConn and Pitt would likely have to fight their way through top-four seeds Gonzaga and Kansas to make it to a potential meeting in the Sweet 16 in New York, where the two programs played some of their most legendary games in the Big East Tournament. West Virginia would have to survive a side of the bracket that includes Arizona, TCU and Virginia - three teams ranked in the AP Poll this week - before they could dream of meeting one of their old Big East rivals in the Elite Eight. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

Former Pitt Running Back Qadree Ollison Signs with Jaguars

Bracketology Watch: Andy Katz Drops Pitt to Nine Seed

Pitt Among ACC Leaders in Home Attendance

Pitt Snubbed from AP Poll, Earns Season-High in Votes

Pitt PG Nelly Cummings Will Play Through Ankle Injury vs Boston College

Jon Rothstein, Andy Katz Rank Pitt in Top 25

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt