Andrew Pace
The Big East Conference is one of the most competitive and exciting conferences in college basketball, and the start of the season is always highly anticipated. With a rich history and tradition of excellence, the Big East has produced some of the sport's greatest players and teams. The conference is known for its fierce competition and the passionate fan bases that come out to support their teams. So, when does the Big East basketball season start? Typically, the season tips off in early November with non-conference play, and conference games usually begin in early January, setting the stage for an intense few months of basketball action.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | October 27, 2023 |
| Time | TBD |
| Location | Various venues across the US |
| Teams Involved | Big East Conference schools |
| Number of Games | TBD |
| Participating Schools | DePaul, Georgetown, Creighton, Marquette, Butler, Xavier, Villanova, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, UConn |
| Defending Champion | Villanova Wildcats |
| Website | Big East Conference |
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What You'll Learn
Big East Conference History
The Big East Conference (stylized as BIG EAST) is a collegiate athletic conference that competes in NCAA Division I in 10 men's sports and 12 women's sports. It was founded in 1979 by Providence College basketball coach Dave Gavitt, who wanted to create an east coast basketball-centric collegiate athletic conference. The core of the Big East was formed when Providence, St. John's, Georgetown, and Syracuse invited Seton Hall, Connecticut (UConn), Holy Cross, Rutgers, and Boston College (BC) to join. Holy Cross and Rutgers initially turned down the invitation, while BC, Seton Hall, and UConn accepted. Gavitt became the Big East's first commissioner, and Villanova and Pittsburgh soon joined the conference as well.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Georgetown, Villanova, St. John's, and Syracuse were the primary powers in the conference. UConn became a power in 1990, and Georgetown won five regular-season conference championships and six Big East tournaments, in addition to their 1984 national title. Villanova won the 1985 NCAA Championship with a historic 66-64 win over Georgetown, and they made nine trips to the NCAA tournament in their first 11 seasons in the Big East.
Big East women's basketball was just as competitive as the men's programs. Connecticut set the record for the longest winning streak in NCAA women's basketball history, with a 70-game winning streak from 2001 to 2003. Led by coach Geno Auriemma, the Connecticut women's team won eight national championships and four undefeated seasons.
In 2012, the Big East was impacted by conference realignment, with 14 member schools announcing their departure and 15 other schools announcing plans to join. This led to tension between the football-sponsoring and non-football schools, and ultimately, the conference split in 2013. The non-football playing schools (also known as the Catholic 7) formed a new conference focused on basketball, and they purchased the Big East Conference name, logos, basketball records, and the rights to the Big East Men's Basketball Tournament. The remaining football-playing members joined with four other schools to become the American Athletic Conference (AAC), the legal successor to the original Big East Conference. Despite the reorganization, both conferences claim 1979 as their founding date and share the same history through 2013.
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Season Start Dates
The start of the basketball season is an exciting time for any fan, and for those following the Big East, there is a clear calendar of events to mark in the diary. The Big East is unique in that it often starts its season earlier than other conferences, with an official start date in early November. This is an interesting strategy, as it allows the conference to gain early-season momentum and national attention, with a focused schedule of games.
The 2023-24 season tips off on November 7, with an intriguing matchup between Georgetown and Maryland. This is an opportunity for the conference to showcase its talent on a national stage, with a high-profile, early-season game. This official start date is a key moment for fans, as it marks the beginning of conference play, and the road to the Big East Tournament. The season then continues with a full schedule of games, with each team playing an 18-game conference schedule, facing each other at least once, and some rivals playing a home-and-home series.
The Big East-Big-12 Battle is another key date to circle in the calendar. This inter-conference battle sees the top teams from each conference face off, with the first games taking place on December 1 and concluding on December 4. This is a chance for the Big East to test itself against another powerful conference, and for fans to see how their teams fare against different opposition.
The conference schedule is designed to build momentum towards the postseason, with the regular season wrapping up in early March. This leads into the Big East Tournament, which is a highlight of the college basketball calendar. This tournament is a showcase of the best talent in the conference and a chance for teams to make a final push for NCAA Tournament berths. The 2024 Big East Tournament will take place from March 13-16, with the games played at Madison Square Garden in New York City, a traditional and iconic home for this event.
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Key Matchups/Rivalries
The Big East Conference has seen a decline in the number of rivalries over the years due to realignments and the departure of teams like Syracuse, Notre Dame, Louisville, and Connecticut. However, several notable rivalries and matchups remain.
One of the most well-known rivalries in the Big East is between the Villanova Wildcats and the Georgetown Hoyas. This rivalry produced one of the greatest underdog stories in college basketball history when the Wildcats, led by Ed Pinckney, defeated the heavily favored Hoyas in the 1985 National Championship Game. The two teams have consistently played above their abilities when facing each other, and the rivalry is expected to continue twice a year for the foreseeable future.
Another notable rivalry is between Seton Hall and St. John's, two of the original "Catholic 7" that founded the Big East Conference. This rivalry is more prominent on the local level, with a New York vs. New Jersey dynamic. Seton Hall has been seeking relevance for the past decade, while St. John's has historically seen more success, including two Final Four appearances and 28 NCAA Men's Basketball tournament qualifications. The rivalry gained additional fuel when prized shooting guard recruit Isaiah Whitehead chose Seton Hall over St. John's, indicating that the clash between the two teams will likely intensify.
In terms of key matchups, the Big East Women's Basketball Tournament in 2025 featured several notable games. The UConn Huskies entered the tournament as the top seed, boasting an impressive 18-0 conference record led by Paige Bueckers. However, they faced strong competition from teams like Creighton, who were an offensive powerhouse, and Villanova and Seton Hall, who possessed enough firepower to challenge UConn. The tournament also included matchups such as St. John's vs. Butler, Providence vs. Georgetown, and Marquette vs. Villanova, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of the Big East Conference.
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Big East Teams and Players to Watch
The Big East Conference is a college athletic conference that competes in NCAA Division I, with 10 men's sports and 12 women's sports. There are 11 schools in the Big East, including Butler University, the University of Connecticut, and Villanova University. With the 2024 tournament won by the University of Connecticut, here are some of the key players and teams to watch out for in the upcoming 2025 tournament.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton University
At 7-foot-1, this senior leads the way for the Blue Jays. Kalkbrenner has improved his numbers each season, and this year he's logging an impressive 19.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game. With his shooting ability and height, he's a force to be reckoned with.
Eric Dixon, Villanova University
Villanova fields a promising 6-foot-8 senior forward, Eric Dixon. Dixon is having a college-career-best season, averaging 23.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. His pure scoring abilities and impressive shooting percentages make him a key player to watch.
RJ Luis Jr., St. John's University
Averaging 17.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, Luis Jr. is the anchor point of the Red Storm. His performance in the tournament could significantly impact his NBA stock, so he'll be highly motivated to showcase his skills.
Kam Jones, Marquette University
Kam Jones, a 6-foot-5 senior, takes on a significant role for the Golden Eagles, handling most of the scoring and playmaking duties. With his height and all-around skills, he will be a crucial factor in Marquette's success.
With 28 games during the regular season and the conference tournament streaming exclusively on Peacock, basketball fans can catch all the action and keep a close eye on these standout players and teams.
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Conference Predictions and Outlook
The 2023–24 Big East Conference season is set to tip off on December 28, 2023, and will conclude with the Big East Tournament, scheduled for March 13-16, 2024. Now, let's take a closer look at the conference predictions and outlook for this upcoming season.
The Big East Conference is always highly competitive, and this season should be no different. With a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging programs, the battle for the conference title will be intense. Here are some predictions and a general outlook for the conference:
Last season, the Villanova Wildcats dominated the conference and are expected to be strong contenders again this year. Led by veteran coach Jay Wright, the Wildcats have a strong core of returning players, including Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels. With their experience and talent, Villanova should be the favorite to win the conference once again. They have a well-rounded team with a good balance of offense and defense, and their ability to execute under pressure makes them a tough opponent for any team in the country. Look for Villanova to be a top-10 team nationally and the team to beat in the Big East.
The Connecticut Huskies are another team expected to do well this season. They have a talented roster, led by guard R.J. Cole and forward Adama Sanogo. Coach Dan Hurley has a strong track record of success, and with a talented recruiting class joining the team, the Huskies could challenge Villanova for the top spot. Their success will depend on their ability to gel as a team and maintain consistency throughout the grueling conference schedule. Expect Connecticut to finish near the top of the conference standings and be a dangerous team come tournament time.
Creighton and Providence are two other programs that could make some noise in the Big East this season. Creighton, under coach Greg McDermott, has a strong offensive system and a talented backcourt. If they can improve their defense and rebounding, the Bluejays could surprise some people. Providence, meanwhile, is coming off a successful season where they made a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. They lost some key players, but with experienced guard Jared Bynum leading the way, the Friars should remain competitive in the conference.
Xavier and Marquette are two wild cards in the conference. Both teams have the talent to make a run, but they will need to find consistency. Xavier has a new head coach in Sean Miller, who has a proven track record of success in the conference. If he can quickly turn things around, the Musketeers could be a dark horse contender. Marquette has a talented scoring duo in Justin Lewis and Oso Ighodaro, but they will need contributions from other players to make a move up the standings.
Overall, the Big East should be a highly competitive conference once again. Villanova is the clear favorite, but there are several teams capable of challenging them. The conference schedule will be a battle, and the Big East Tournament should provide plenty of excitement as well. Expect some close races for the regular-season title and some thrilling games come March. The Big East will likely send multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament, with Villanova and Connecticut leading the way as potential high seeds. It promises to be another exciting season of Big East basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big East basketball season typically begins in early November and runs through to March, with the Big East Tournament concluding the season in early April.
No, the start date for the Big East basketball season has varied over the years. For example, the 2021-2022 season started on November 9th, while the 2020-2021 season, due to COVID-19, began on November 25th.
Yes, there are often a few weeks of pre-season games and scrimmages before the official start of the Big East basketball season. These usually take place in October and early November, with teams using these games to prepare for the upcoming season and test out new strategies and line-ups.
