On Sunday, the Big East Conference earned a record 11 invites to the 68-team single-elimination NCAA Tournament. That means one thing, we here at SB Nation New York have our work cut out for us on Thursday and Friday.
SB Nation New York's Howard Megdal has already given his thoughts on what to expect from each of 11 squads. And, if you've checked out Ed Valentine's post on the complete NCAA Tournament broadcast schedule for the second round, you'll notice its possible to watch each Big East team. Staying up for the late games could be an issue for the regional SB Nation New York fans of the St. John's Red Storm (Thursday at 9:45 p.m.) and Syracuse Orange (Friday at 9:57 p.m.). Below is the complete Big East basketball schedule for the second round and a tidbit to go with each contest.
Thursday Games
12:15 p.m.: (12) Clemson vs. (5) West Virginia on CBS.
Remember when the Mountaineers made it all the way to the Final Four? Yeap, that was last season. Crazy.
Check out SB Nation's home for WVU -- The Smoking Musket.
1:40 p.m. (13) Morehead St. vs. (4) Louisville on TBS.
Head coach Rick Pitino's NCAA Tournament resume looks like this: Nine Elite Eight and five Final Four appearance. Seems like the Cardinals, my Final Four pick, are in good hands.
Check out SB Nation's home for Louisville -- The Card Chronicle.
3:10 p.m.: (16) UNC-Asheville vs. Pittsburgh on truTV.
The Panthers, who earned their second No. 1 seed in program history, will play first-round winner UNC-Asheville. According to Pitt's athletic website: "...the last time Pitt earned a No. 1 seed was in 2009 when it reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 1974 and for the first time since the tournament expanded to 64 teams."
Check out SB Nation's home for Pitt -- The Cardiac Hill.
7:20 p.m.: (14) Bucknell vs. (3) UConn on TNT.
After his historic performance in the 2011 Big East Tournament, junior guard Kemba Walker will appear on the regional cover of Sports Illustrated.
Check out SB Nation's home for UConn -- The UConn Blog.
9:45 p.m.: (11) Gonzaga vs. St. John's on CBS.
This is the first time the Red Storm will be in the tournament since 2002. In 2000, they were a No. 2 seed, but lost to Cinderella No. 10-seeded Gonzaga in the round of 32.
Check out SB Nation's home for St. John's -- Rumble In The Garden.
9:50 p.m.: (11) Mizzouri vs. (6) Cincinnati on TNT.
From 1992-'05 (14 years), the Bearcats made the NCAA Tournament. This will be there first return to the big dance in six seasons.
Check out SB Nation's home for Cincinnati -- Down The Drive.
Friday Games
1:40 p.m.: (15) Akron vs. (2) Notre Dame on TBS.
30 years ago (1981), the Fighting Irish earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. During his 11 seasons at ND, head coach Mike Brey is just 5-6 during March Madness.
Check out SB Nation's home for Notre Dame -- Rakes Of Mallow.
2:10 p.m.: (9) Villanova vs. (8) George Mason on TNT.
The Wildcats have earned an invite to the NCAA Tournament for six straight years. In 2007, 'Nova was seeded ninth, while in '08 it was slotted No. 12.
Check out SB Nation's home for Villanova -- The Nova Blog.
7:27 p.m.: (11) Marquette vs. (6) Xavier on truTV.
The Marquette Golden Eagles have earned an invite to the NCAAs for five straight season, but never have received a seed higher than a six (three times) or lower than an eight.
Check out SB Nation's home for Marquette -- Anonymous Eagle.
9:50 p.m.: (11) TBA vs. (6) Georgetown on TNT.
This is the third time the Hoyas have earned a No. 6 seed, the last time was in '95 when they reached the Sweet 16.
Check out SB Nation's home for Georgetown -- Casual Hoya.
9:57 p.m.: (14) Indiana St. vs. (3) Syracuse on truTV.
Surprisingly, these two historic programs have never met before. SU has made the Sweet 16 the past two seasons.
Check out SB Nation's home for Syracuse -- Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician.