Big East Conference Basketball Tournament: Preview, Schedule, And More

    Check out all the information on the Big East conference tournament, including a tournament preview, schedule and more.



    Villanova has earned the top seed, but no one is safe in the Big East tournament.


    How often do two teams in the same conference get considered for No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament? It’s not common, but that was a pleasant reality for the Big East for a hefty portion of the regular season.

    That likely isn’t the case anymore, with Xavier getting knocked down to the second seed line for the Big Dance, but it’s an astounding notion nonetheless. Villanova and Xavier are two of the best teams in the country, and they’re going to be two tough outs in the Big East tournament.

    But do not count out their opponents — teams like Seton Hall, Providence, and Butler are fully capable of making a run in the conference tournament. Even a team like Marquette, who’s had an up-and-down year but is led by freshman standout, Henry Ellenson, could surprise some folks with strong postseason performances.

    The Big East is currently projected as five-bid league, but that number may change based on how things play out in the conference tournament. The seeding for the Big East tourney is as follows.

    Big East Tournament Seeds

    1. Villanova
    2. Xavier
    3. Seton Hall
    4. Providence
    5. Butler
    6. Creighton
    7. Marquette
    8. Georgetown
    9. DePaul
    10. St. John’s

    Last Five Big East Tournament Winners

    2015: Villanova
    2014: Providence
    2013: Louisville
    2012: Louisville
    2011: UConn

    Tournament Schedule

    First Round (March 9)

    Game 1: No. 8 Georgetown vs. No. 9 DePaul, 7:00 p.m.

    Game 2: No. 7 Marquette vs. No. 10 St. John’s, 9:30 p.m.

    Quarterfinals (March 10)

    Game 3: No. 1 Villanova vs. Game 1 Winner, 12:00 p.m.

    Game 4: No. 4 Providence vs. No. 5 Butler, 2:30 p.m.

    Game 5: No. 2 Xavier vs. Game 2 Winner, 7:00 p.m.

    Game 6: No. 3 Seton Hall vs. No. 6 Creighton, 9:30 p.m.

    Semifinals (March 11)

    Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.

    Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 9:00 p.m.

    Championship (March 12)

    Game 9: Championship Game, 5:30 p.m.

    MORE: College Basketball Winners, Losers From Week 17

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