Can St. John’s continue their dream season? Can Xavier do enough to clinch a spot in the Big Dance?
The 2025 Big East men’s conference tournament kicks off Wednesday with first round play at Madison Square Garden. And if last weekend’s overtime thriller between St. John’s and Marquette is any indication, this year’s tournament is going to be must-see television.
St. John’s enters the tournament as the top seed in the Big East, courtesy of their 18-2 record in conference play. Rick Pitino’s team won their first outright Big East regular season title in 40 years, and while they might not earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, a No. 2 spot is certainly in play.
The Red Storm have a bye into the quarterfinals, as do No. 2 seed Creighton and No. 3 seed Connecticut. Creighton earned the No. 2 seed with a 15-5 record in the Big East, followed by the 14-6 mark the Huskies posted this season.
The other quarterfinal matchup on Thursday is between No. 4 seed Marquette, and No. 5 seed Xavier.
Entering the conference tournament the top four seeds in the Big East — St. John’s, Creighton, Connecticut, and Marquette — are considered locks to be in the field. Xavier right now sits firmly on the bubble, so they might need a win or two at Madison Square Garden, if not a deep run this week, to clinch a spot in the field. But the Musketeers enter the Big East tournament on a hot streak, having won their last seven games, including a win over Creighton back on March 1.
Here is the Big East tournament bracket, schedule, and broadcast information.
2025 men’s Big East tournament bracket
Here is the 2025 Big Ten men’s tournament bracket. You can also view the bracket on the tournament website.
2025 men’s Big East tournament schedule
March 12 First Round
Game 1: No. 9 Butler 75, vs. No. 8 Providence 69 Game 2: No. 10 DePaul 71, No. 7 Georgetown, 67 Game 3: No. 6 Villanova 67, No. 11 Seton Hall 55
March 13 Quarterfinals
Game 4: No. 1 St. John’s 78, No. 9 Butler 57 Game 5: No. 5 Marquette 89, No. 4 Xavier 87 Game 6: No. 2 Creighton 85, No. 10 DePaul 81, 2 OT Game 7: No. 3 Connecticut 73, No. 6 Villanova 56
March 14 Semifinals
Game 8: No. 1 St. John’s 79, No. 5 Marquette 63 Game 9: No. 2 Creighton vs. No. 3 Connecticut, 9:00 p.m. ET, FOX
March 15 Championship
Game 10: No 1 St. John’s vs. Game 9 Winner, 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX