Big East takes center stage at the world’s most famous arena

Basketball, College, Seton Hall University

March 8, 2023

The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is a tradition unlike any other. It is fitting that the world’s most famous arena is the home for a tournament that delivers every year. With the bright lights shined on New York City, it is time for the Big East to take center stage beginning Wednesday afternoon.

The first day of the tournament brings a ton of intrigue for local fans. Seton Hall, St John’s and Villanova all take the floor Wednesday. St John’s, the number eight seed, opens up the tournament against nine seed Butler. Next up, the seven seed Seton Hall Pirates take on ten seed DePaul. The last game of the evening will feature the six seed Villanova Wildcats taking on the eleven seed Georgetown Hoyas.

It is not often a team opening up on the first day of a conference tournament winds up playing in the championship game. Villanova and Seton Hall will be two teams playing on the first day to keep an eye on. The Villanova Wildcats should find themselves playing three seed Creighton Thursday night. The Wildcats dominated Creighton nearly two weeks ago in Philadelphia. A now healthy Villanova team will be a dark horse to win the Big East Tournament.

The Seton Hall Pirates are coming off of their most impressive victory of the season. The Pirates dominated the Providence Friars on the road 82-58. Seton Hall is starting to find their offensive identity in the absence of Kadary Richmond. If the Pirates can continue to get strong play from Femi Odukale and Dre Davis, the Pirates can find themselves beating two seed Xavier and playing in a semi final Friday night.

Big East Tournament Bracket Wide Open

Let’s take a look at the rest of the bracket. Assuming St John’s defeats Butler, they would find themselves in an early Thursday afternoon matchup with the number one seed, Marquette. Marquette should have no problem advancing over New York’s team.

The next chapter of the Connecticut vs Providence rivalry will take place in the 4/5 matchup Thursday afternoon. Connecticut fans will pack Madison Square Garden and give Connecticut a legitimate advantage. The Huskies will move past Providence and upset number one seed Marquette. Connecticut will have an extended stay in New York City, as they will be playing for a championship Saturday night.

Villanova seems to be the public darling for the tournament. The Wildcats will have their hands full in a second round matchup with number three seed Creighton. Creighton will avenge their loss to the Wildcats and move on to the semi final Friday night.

Can Holloway Continue March Mastery?

March is the time of year for Shaheen Holloway. Last March, Holloway led Saint Peter’s on a Cinderella run to the elite eight. Does the first year Seton Hall coach have any magic left to lead the Pirates on a run? Seton Hall will defeat Depaul and then upset the number two seed Xavier, who will be without star Zach Freemantle. The Pirates will find themselves in a showdown with Creighton Friday night, in which they will ultimately come up short.

A sold out Madison Square Garden crowd on Saturday night will see local Connecticut take on Creighton. Both teams at one point this season were in the top ten in the country. A home court feel will help Connecticut emerge victorious. All eyes will be on Madison Square Garden this week. Let the madness begin!