March 8, 2016
The Big East will try to restore the old Big East Tournament glory when it hosts the Big East Conference Tournament at Madison Square Garden from March 9-12. The conference has gone through a revival this season, with the Big East holding two of the top five teams in the nation in Villanova and Xavier. Seton Hall found its way to the cusp of Top 25 towards the end of the season, while the Providence Friars have a Wooden Award finalist in Kris Dunn.
Below are the seedings for the tournament:
1. Villanova
2. Xavier
3. Seton Hall
4. Providence
5. Butler
6. Creighton
7. Marquette
8. Georgetown
9. Depaul
10. St. John’s
Below are the individual matchups in each session and the price for each on the secondary market:
3/9 – First Round – No. 8 Georgetown vs No. 9 Depaul (7pm), No. 7 Marquette vs No. 10 St. Johns (9:30pm)
Avg. Price: $48 | Get-in Price $5
The first round features matchups between No. 8 Geogetown vs No. 9 Depaul and No. 7 Marquette vs No. 10 St. John’s. All four of teams were in the original Big East before conference realignment occurred in 2012. This session currently has an average price of $xx and a get-in price of $5.
3/10 – Session 2 – No. 1 Villanova vs No. 8/9 (Noon), No. 4 Providence vs No. 5 Butler (2:30pm)
Avg. Price: $221.34 | Get-in Price $38
Top seeded Villanova will take on the No.8/9 followed by Kris Dunn-led No. 4 Providence vs No. 5 Butler. The Wildcats will try to defend their title after winning the tournament in 2015. This session currently has an average price of $221.34, less expensive than only the semifinals, and a get-in price of $38.
3/10 – Session 3 – No. 2 Xavier vs No. 7/10 (7pm), No. 3 Seton Hall vs No. 6 Creighton (9:30pm)
Avg. Price: $169.83 | Get-in Price $51
The third session of the tournament features No. 2 Xavier vs the winner of the No. 7/10 contest. After, No. 3 Seton Hall will face No. 6 Creighton. Seton Hall has not won the Big East Tournament since 1993. This session currently has an average price of $169.83 and a get-in price of $51.
3/11 – Session 4 – No. 4/5 vs No. 1/8/9 (6:30pm), No. 2/7/10 vs No. 3/6 (9pm)
Avg. Price: $274.73 | Get-in Price $64
The semifinals will take place on Friday with back-to-back games. Last year’s final four of the Big East included Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, and Xavier. This session currently has an average price of $274.73, the most expensive of the tournament, and a get-in price of $64.
3/12 – Championship Game (5:30pm)
Avg. Price: $196.14 | Get-in Price $45
The championship game will be held at 5:30 pm on Saturday between the two winners of the semifinals. Georgetown leads current Big East schools with seven Big East tournament titles. The championship game currently has an average price of $196.14 and a get-in price of $45.
