Big Ten Roundup (Sept. 28): Big Ten, Big East Close to Agreement on 2024-25 Gavitt Games

The Big Ten and the Big East have played the Gavitt Tipoff Games against each other seven times since 2015. On Wednesday, it was reported that the two conferences are closing in on an agreement to continue the Gavitt Games in the 2024-25 college basketball season, with a few significant changes to be made as well.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Though the Big Ten/ACC challenge will always hold a dear place in the hearts of college basketball fans, there's plenty to like with a slate of games that pits the Big Ten and Big East against one another. 

The two conferences have played the Gavitt Tipoff Games every year since 2015, save for 2020. On Wednesday, college basketball reporter Jon Rothstein wrote that the Big Ten and the Big East are close to finalizing an agreement to play the Gavitt Games once more during the 2024-25 season. 

Rothstein also reported that in the 2024-25 season, it's likely that all 11 current Big East men's basketball teas will be participating. For the 2022-23 season, there are only eight Big East teams playing in the Gavitt Games.

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Gavitt Games in 2024-25 Season

The Big Ten-Big East basketball series is named the Gavitt Games after the legendary Dave Gavitt, who served as the first ever commissioner of the Big East. 

Though the Big East isn't nearly what it once was, it's good to see the conference maintain a prominent national role in college basketball, such as it's doing with the continuation of the Gavitt Games. 

NEWS: The Big East and Big Ten are close to finalizing an agreement to continue the Gavitt Games, with all 11 Big East teams likely to participate beginning in the 2024-25 season, according to multiple sources.https://t.co/9Ki2VMM42V

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 27, 2023

It's important to note that Rothstein used the qualifiers of "close" and "likely" throughout the story he published on Wednesday. The Gavitt Games continuing during the 2024-25 season is the most probable outcome, but it is not yet confirmed. 

Rothstein also reported that there is momentum for the games to be moved ever so slightly up in the nonconference calendar that they become college basketball season openers. He wrote that the Big Ten vs Big East games would be played on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the first week of the season. 

The news that all 11 Big East teams could participate in 2024-25 is also a major positive shift. Obviously, the two conference cannot perfectly match each other in numbers the same way that the Big Ten and the ACC have for years in their own challenge. The Big Ten's 14 member schools dwarf the Big East's 11, and come 2024, the Big Ten will have 18 schools in its conference. 

But moving up from eight games to 11 in the Gavit Tipoff series is something that every college basketball fan should be happy about. It's more quality games to watch for everyone involved. 

This season, Seton Hall, DePaul and defending national champion UConn will not be participating in the Gavitt Games for the Big East. In the Big Ten, Indiana, Ohio State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Minnesota and Penn State will not be playing any Big East squads during the 2023-24 Gavitt Games. 

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