2008 Big East men's basketball tournament

August 2023 March 2026 2008 Big East I Men's 2008 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament.svg 200px 2008 Tournament logo 12 Madison Square Garden New York City Pittsburgh 2nd Jamie Dixon 1st Sam Young Pittsburgh Sam Young Pittsburgh 80 The 2008 Big East men's basketball tournament, a part of the 2007-08 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, took place from March 12–March 15, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Its winner received the Big East Conference's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA tournament. It is a single-elimination tournament with four rounds and the four highest seeds received byes in the first round. The 12 Big East teams with the best conference records were invited to participate. Georgetown, the Big East regular season winner, received the number one seed in the tournament. The first round of the tournament saw no upsets, as each of the higher seeds won their games. However, the second round had three of the four lower seeds winning their games. In the semi-finals, number one seed, Georgetown, easily won, while the seventh seed, Pittsburgh, won in a close game. The two teams played each other for the tournament championship and Pittsburgh was victorious, winning the conference's automatic bid. After the tournament, eight of the teams that participated were invited to the NCAA Tournament. It was Pittsburgh's second Big East tournament championship. Before the tournament Before the beginning of the season the league's coaches voted Georgetown, the 2006-07 Big East regular season and tournament winner,http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270690046 https://web.archive.org/web/20070313185526/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270690046 dead March 13, 2007 Hoyas claim their 1st Big East tourney title since 1989 March 10, 2007 ESPN 2008-03-09 and Louisville to share the conference title.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102407aaa.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071027035116/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102407aaa.html dead October 27, 2007 Notre Dame Picked To Finish Ninth In The 2007-08 BIG EAST Men's Basketball Season University of Notre Dame October 24, 2007 2008-03-09 Additionally, it was decided that each team's conference schedule would expand from 16 to 18 games so all of the teams would play each other.McNamara, Kevin http://www.projo.com/college/content/sp_bkc_km25_05-25-07_4Q5OUOF.35ef9bd.html Big East realizing bigger not better May 25, 2007 Providence Journal 2008-03-09 Fifteen Big East teams reached the beginning of their conference schedules with winning records, with four teams having only one loss and three others with only two losses.Glockner, Andy http://www.projo.com/college/content/sp_bkc_km25_05-25-07_4Q5OUOF.35ef9bd.html Georgetown, Marquette are likeliest contenders in Big East January 2, 2008 ESPN 2008-03-09 The out of conference schedule for the league included four teams playing in the inaugural Big East/SEC Invitational,http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040507aaq.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210403/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040507aaq.html dead May 24, 2011 First Ever BIG EAST/SEC Invitational Tips Off Dec. 5-6 on ESPN and ESPN2 April 5, 2008 CBS Sports 2008-03-09 where they went 3–1,http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273390333 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022084612/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273390333 dead October 22, 2012 Georgetown rides 14-1 second-half run past Alabama December 5, 2007 2008-03-09http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273390002 https://web.archive.org/web/20071213075022/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273390002 dead December 13, 2007 West Virginia 88, Auburn 59 December 5, 2007 ESPN 2008-03-09http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273400222 https://archive.today/20120714153520/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273400222 dead July 14, 2012 No. 21 Villanova uses reserve's burst, shot at end to overcome LSU December 6, 2007 ESPN 2008-03-09http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273402507 https://web.archive.org/web/20071211125548/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273402507 dead December 11, 2007 Gamecocks withstand Friars' late charge at Big East/SEC Invitational December 5, 2007 ESPN 2008-03-09 and two teams beating top–10 ranked teams.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273540150 https://web.archive.org/web/20071229193125/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273540150 dead December 29, 2007 Fields' 3-pointer helps Panthers remain unbeaten December 20, 2007 ESPN 2008-03-09http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92555&SPID=11228&DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1375730 UConn Earns Key Road Win At No. 7/8 Indiana, 68-63 January 26, 2008 Big East Conference 2008-03-09 May 2016 medicmedic At the end of conference play, Georgetown, who was ranked tenth in the Coaches Poll, won the regular season title.http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280680046 Summers' 3 gives Georgetown back-to-back Big East titles March 8, 2008 ESPN 2008-03-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20080311075918/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280680046 11 March 2008 dead Six teams ended the season ranked,http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280680046 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings (Mar. 3) ESPN 2008-03-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20080311075918/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280680046 11 March 2008 dead while eight ended with over 20 wins.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/confstandings?confID=4 https://web.archive.org/web/20030216144851/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/confstandings?confID=4 dead February 16, 2003 Big East Conference Standings 2007-2008 ESPN 2008-03-09 The top–12 teams in the standings were invited to the tournament. 2007-08 Big East Conference StandingsTeam Conference Record Overall WLGB W L#9 Georgetown153-275#14 Notre Dame1441247#13 Louisville1441248#15 Connecticut1352248#24 Marquette1174249West Virginia11742410Pittsburgh1085269Villanova9962012Syracuse9961913Cincinnati81071318Seton Hall71181715Providence61291516DePaul61291119St. John's513101119South Florida315121219Rutgers315121120 Rankings reflect Coaches Poll as of March 10, 2008 Tournament Seeding The twelve teams that were invited to the tournament were seeded according to their records: Georgetown's first-place finish in the regular season entitled the team to the top seed. Louisville and Notre Dame finished the season tied in second, a game behind Georgetown, but Louisville's win over Notre Dame on February 28 gave it the advantage and the second seed and Notre Dame the third seed.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280590097 Padgett scores 26 to push Louisville past Notre Dame ESPN February 28, 2008 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080305015644/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280590097 5 March 2008 dead Connecticut, two games behind Georgetown, got the fourth seed, and the final first-round bye. West Virginia and Marquette both finished four games behind Georgetown in fifth place, but West Virginia's win over Marquette on January 6 granted it the fifth seed and left Marquette with the sixth.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280060277 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022090116/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280060277 dead October 22, 2012 Ruoff lights up Marquette to hand Huggins first Big East win at WVU ESPN January 6, 2008 2008-03-10 Pittsburgh finished five games behind Georgetown and was awarded the seventh seed. Villanova and Syracuse both finished six games behind Georgetown and split their games against one another in the regular season.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280190183 https://archive.today/20120713221947/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280190183 dead July 13, 2012 Foul trouble dooms Syracuse in loss to No. 21 Villanova ESPN January 19, 2008 2008-03-10http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280330222 Syracuse 87, Villanova 73 ESPN February 2, 2008 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080207032151/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280330222 7 February 2008 dead After head-to-head results, the tie-breaking rules of the conference next were based on wins over top conference opponents,http://www.bigeast.org/fls/19400/pdfs/mensbball/tiebreaker07.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=19400&KEY=&SPID=11228&SPSID=94715 Big East Tie-Breaking Procedures 2007-2008 Big East Conference PDF 2008-03-09 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090204022736/http://www.bigeast.org/fls/19400/pdfs/mensbball/tiebreaker07.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=19400 February 4, 2009 and, although Syracuse beat Georgetown on February 16,http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280470183 Syracuse jumps to big lead, holds on to beat Georgetown ESPN February 16, 2008 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080219101239/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280470183& 19 February 2008 dead both teams also lost to Georgetown,http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280210046 Hibbert helps Georgetown hold off Syracuse in overtime ESPN January 21, 2008 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080128151316/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280210046 28 January 2008 deadhttp://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280420046 Wallace spares Hoyas by hitting two free throws with one-tenth of second left ESPN February 11, 2008 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080214194747/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280420046 14 February 2008 dead so Syracuse did not have an advantage over Villanova in games against Georgetown. Tie-breaking then moved to the two teams' results against Connecticut. Villanova's win over Connecticut,http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280540222 Stokes, Reynolds lead Villanova past No. 13 UConn ESPN February 23, 2008 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226112535/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280540222 26 February 2008 dead coupled with Syracuse's loss,http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280370183 Adrien's double-double helps UConn hold off Syracuse ESPN February 6, 2008 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080210165623/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280370183 10 February 2008 dead gave Villanova the advantage and the eighth seed and Syracuse the ninth seed. Cincinnati, at seven games behind Georgetown, received the tenth seed. Seton Hall, at eight games behind Georgetown, received the eleventh seed. Providence and DePaul finished nine games behind Georgetown, but Providence's win on February 5,http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280362507 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022090304/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280362507 dead October 22, 2012 Providence 79, DePaul 65 ESPN February 5, 2008 2008-03-10 gave the team the twelfth seed, the final position in the tournament. The teams finishing below twelfth place after taking the twelfth-seed tiebreaker into account (DePaul, St. John's, South Florida, and Rutgers) did not qualify for the tournament. Bracket First roundMarch 12, 2008 QuarterfinalsMarch 13, 2008 SemifinalsMarch 14, 2008 Championship GameMarch 15, 2008 8 Villanova 82 9 Syracuse 63 5 West Virginia 58 12 Providence 53 6 #25 Marquette 67 11 Seton Hall 54 7 Pittsburgh 70 10 Cincinnati 64 1 #9 Georgetown 82 8 Villanova 63 4 #15 Connecticut 72 5 West Virginia 78 3 #14 Notre Dame 79 6 #25 Marquette 89 2 #13 Louisville 69 7 Pittsburgh 76OT 1 #9 Georgetown 72 5 West Virginia 55 6 #25 Marquette 61 7 Pittsburgh 68 1 #9 Georgetown 65 7 Pittsburgh 74 First round Team1st2ndFinalVillanova 27 55 82Syracuse 28 35 63 Team1st2ndFinalWest Virginia 28 30 58Providence 28 25 53 Team1st2ndFinalMarquette 34 33 67Seton Hall 29 25 54 Team1st2ndFinalPittsburgh 31 39 70Cincinnati 25 39 64 The first round of the tournament was played on March 12 with each of the higher seeds winning. The day started with Villanova playing Syracuse, in what was called an elimination game for the NCAA Tournament. Although Syracuse held a one-point lead at half-time, Villanova took an early lead in the second half and never trailed again, winning 82–63.http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720222 https://archive.today/20120716065936/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720222 dead July 16, 2012 Orange done in by sloppy play, Villanova's 3-pointers ESPN March 12, 2008 2008-03-13 In the second game of the day, Providence played West Virginia. The teams both struggled throughout the game with both having scoreless streaks, but West Virginia prevailed in the end to win 58–53.http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720277 https://web.archive.org/web/20110519100703/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720277 dead May 19, 2011 WVU holds Providence to two FGs over final 7 minutes ESPN March 12, 2008 2008-03-13 In the third game of the day Cincinnati played Pittsburgh. Although the teams stayed close throughout, Pittsburgh won the game 70–64.http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720221 https://web.archive.org/web/20110519100707/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720221 dead May 19, 2011 Young plays leading role as Pittsburgh fends off Cincinnati ESPN March 12, 2008 2008-03-13 In the final game of the day Marquette played Seton Hall. Marquette won the game by holding Seton Hall scoreless through the last five minutes of the game to finish 67–54.http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720269 https://archive.today/20120728153354/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720269 dead July 28, 2012 Marquette holds Seton Hall scoreless in final minutes of win ESPN March 12, 2008 2008-03-13 Second round Team1st2ndFinalGeorgetown404282Villanova293463 Team1st2ndFinalConnecticut363672West Virginia423678 Team1st2ndOTFinalLouisville3329769Pittsburgh30321476 Team1st2ndFinalNotre Dame384179Marquette325789 The second round of the tournament was played on March 13, and three of the four lower seeds won their games. The first game of the day featured Villanova facing the number one seed, Georgetown. Despite top-scorer Roy Hibbert not scoring the entire game, Georgetown won the game, 82–63, tying a tournament record with 17 three-point field goals.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730046 Hoyas tie Big East tourney record with 17 3s, beat Nova ESPN March 13, 2008 2008-03-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080317171302/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730046 17 March 2008 dead In the second game West Virginia played Connecticut. Although it was close for the majority of the game, West Virginia's six point half-time lead was enough to win the game, 78–72, the first upset of the tournament.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730041 Alexander's 34 points lift West Virginia past Connecticut ESPN March 13, 2008 2008-03-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080317164054/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730041 17 March 2008 dead In the third game Pittsburgh faced Louisville, a team they had knocked out of the tournament the previous two years. Although Pittsburgh had the largest lead in regulation at eight points, the game was tied at the end of the second half and it continued to overtime. Pittsburgh finally pulled away in the overtime period, and won 76–69.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730097 Pitt knocks Louisville out of Big East tourney ESPN March 13, 2008 2008-03-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080319115522/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730097 19 March 2008 dead In the final game of the round, Marquette played Notre Dame. Notre Dame had a six-point lead at half-time even though conference Player of the Year, Luke Harangody, had only played for seven minutes. However, Marquette's Jerel McNeal, who had 21 points in the team's first win, scored 28 to lead Marquette to an 89–79 victory.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730087 McNeal's career-high 28 carry Marquette to Big East semis ESPN March 13, 2008 2008-03-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080319104919/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730087 19 March 2008 dead Semi-finals Team1st2ndFinalGeorgetown333972West Virginia213455 Team1st2ndFinalMarquette223961Pittsburgh353368 The semi-finals began with top-seed Georgetown facing West Virginia. The game was close early, but five minutes before half-time, Georgetown went on a scoring run and led 33–21 at the half. West Virginia came back and brought their deficit to six points halfway through the second period, however Georgetown never relinquished their lead. Led by Hibbert's 25 points in his double-double, Georgetown won 72–55 to return to the championship game for the second consecutive year.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280740046 Hoyas reach another Big East final behind Hibbert's 25 points, 13 boards ESPN March 14, 2008 2008-03-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20080319014847/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280740046 19 March 2008 dead In the second game of the day, Marquette faced Pittsburgh. Early in the game Pittsburgh took a 12-point lead and kept a double-digit lead throughout the half. Marquette cut their deficit during the second period and had the score within three points with a minute remaining in the game. However, Pittsburgh kept their lead with free throw shooting and won the game 68–61, advancing to the championship game for the seventh time in eight years.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280740269 Young's 22 points pull Pitt into another Big East final ESPN March 14, 2008 2008-03-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20080319011252/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280740269 19 March 2008 dead Championship game thumb|right|175px|The 2008 Big East tournament trophy on display at the University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center Team1st2ndFinalGeorgetown283765Pittsburgh314374 Pittsburgh faced Georgetown in a repeat of the championship game of the 2007 tournament. Throughout the first half the lead changed hands six times, with Georgetown having the largest lead of six points. Pittsburgh, however, led at half-time by three. Although Georgetown would bring their deficit to two early in the second half, Pittsburgh never relinquished the lead after half-time. Pittsburgh's Sam Young led the team with a double-double to help secure their win, the school's second overall and first for coach Jamie Dixon.http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280750046 Pitt wins second title after eight championship game appearances ESPN March 15, 2008 2008-03-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20080320203943/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280750046 20 March 2008 dead Awards After the championship game Sam Young, who led Pittsburgh to the win and led the tournament in scoring with 80 points,http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92555&SPID=11228&DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1413167 Postgame Notes: Pittsburgh vs. Georgetown Big East Conference March 15, 2008 2008-03-16 May 2016 medicmedic was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Young was joined by his teammate Levance Fields, Georgetown's Jessie Sapp and Roy Hibbert, West Virginia's Joe Alexander, and Marquette's Jerel McNeal to the All-Tournament Team.http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23653892/ Big East surprise: Pitt shocks No. 9 Hoyas MSNBC March 16, 2008 2008-03-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080318232056/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23653892/ 18 March 2008 dead After the tournament In addition to Pittsburgh's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, seven other conference teams were given at-large bids in the field, tying the conference record of eight teams in the tournament.Evans, Thayer https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/sports/ncaabasketball/17notebook.html?ex=1363406400&en=111aef3673daabf0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Big East Stands Tallest With 8 Bids The New York Times March 17, 2008 2008-03-17 Georgetown got the highest seed of the conference with a 2 seed and Louisville got a 3 seed. Both Pittsburgh and Connecticut were given 4 seeds and Notre Dame got a 5 seed. Marquette was given a 6 seed and West Virginia got a 7 seed. Finally, Villanova was given a 12 seed and was the final at-large team invited to the tournament.Juliano, Joe http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20080316_Villanova_sneaks_in__gets_Clemson.html Villanova sneaks in, gets Clemson The Philadelphia Inquirer March 17, 2008 2008-03-17May 2016 medicmedic Although Syracuse was not invited to the NCAA Tournament, they were the only team from the conference invited to the 2008 National Invitation Tournament.http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask/news/news.aspx?id=4138908 Ohio State, VA Tech, Syracuse, Arizona State among NIT field The Sports Network March 16, 2008 2008-03-17 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110525193043/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask%2Fnews%2Fnews.aspx%3Fid%3D4138908 May 25, 2011 References 2 Tournament Category:Big East men's basketball tournament Category:College basketball tournaments in New York City Category:Sports competitions in Manhattan Big East men's basketball tournament Big East men's basketball tournament Category:2000s in Manhattan