Tickets On Sale For SEC-Big East Invitational On Saturday
Thursday, September 10, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Tickets for the third annual SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, including the University of Florida's showdown with Syracuse at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, will go on sale Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. ET.
The two-night men's college basketball tournament takes place in two cities, with a doubleheader Tuesday, Dec. 9, in New York City followed by a doubleheader Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Tampa. The schedule at St. Pete Times Forum will feature DePaul taking on Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Gators and Syracuse at 9 p.m.
Fans who wish to attend the Dec.10 doubleheader at St. Pete Times Forum can purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone by calling the St. Pete Times Forum box office at (800) 745-3000. Prices are $40, $25 and $15.
ESPN2 will televise DePaul vs. Mississippi State on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. ET from the St. Pete Times Forum, while ESPN will feature Syracuse vs. Florida at 9 p.m. Also part of the event is a Dec. 9 doubleheader at Madison Square Garden in New York City, featuring Georgia vs. St. John's at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, followed by Kentucky vs. Connecticut at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.
“We're thrilled to be a part of the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational for the first time, and to be able to do so in our home state,” said Florida coach Billy Donovan. “We've always enjoyed the great support we've received in the Tampa area, and having played at the St. Pete Times Forum each of the last three years, we know it's a first-class facility.
“I have so much respect for Syracuse and Coach (Jim) Boeheim. This will be the third time in five years we've played Syracuse, and his teams are as challenging to prepare for now as they were when I was a player.”
“We're excited to be playing in this year's SEC/BIG EAST Invitational,” said Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim. “Playing a high-caliber program like Florida is going to be a tremendous challenge and one we are looking forward to.”
Teams invited to participate in the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational are chosen by ESPN in consultation with the conferences and are based on geographic and competitive criteria.
Six of the eight participating teams reached the postseason in 2008-09, with Connecticut, Mississippi State and Syracuse playing in the NCAA Tournament. The Orange made it to the Sweet Sixteen, while the Huskies advanced to the Final Four. Florida and Kentucky played in the National Invitation Tournament, while St. John's played in the College Basketball Invitational.
The BIG EAST holds a 5-3 record in the first two years of the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational. The two conferences have combined to produce four of the last seven NCAA Men's Basketball Champions (Florida - 2007 and 2006; Connecticut - 2004; Syracuse - 2003) and seven of the last 14 national champions (Connecticut - 1999; Kentucky - 1998 and 1996).
