This league is wide open

[XUFan09]

The Big East Tournament is easily the biggest conference tournament, but at the end of the day, it's a conference tournament. A really good sideshow to the Big Dance. If i had to choose, I would pick regular season championship every time, because in the end, I care about the NCAA Tournament far more than anything else and a regular season championship means a good to really good seed there.

[Friarsfan94]

What's better? Prime rib or lobster tail? You know what, both are great.

This BET vs. RS title argument is played out, IMO the BET is sexier, while the RS is more satisfying. Either way you're hanging a banner.

There’s absolutely nothing satisfying about coming in first then losing the BET.

[Friarsfan94]

Dude it’s not that deep. The NCAA tournament as we know it is incomparable to anything in any sport. The way the Big East season is set up is directly comparable to every single other competitive sports league in the friggin country. We play 18 regular season games to determine seeding, then a playoff tournament to determine a champion. Cut and dry.

well, as much as I love the big east tournament, I’m not about to compare it to winning the World Series.

The team that finished first in the regular season is the regular season champion. The team that wins the conference tournament is the conference tournament champion. Like you said it’s not that deep. I can understand your perspective though

The team that finishes in first is the regular season champion, sure, just like every sport. But the team that wins the tournament is the CONFERENCE CHAMPION, again, just like every other sport with this structure.

Like, Jesus, this whole thing started cause Xavier and Creighton were pissed they lost in the BET so they started claiming themselves BE champs to feel better. Underlying motive is they’re pissed they didn’t win the BET! DING DING DING!

[gtmoBlue]

Dude it’s not that deep. The NCAA tournament as we know it is incomparable to anything in any sport. The way the Big East season is set up is directly comparable to every single other competitive sports league in the friggin country. We play 18 regular season games to determine seeding, then a playoff tournament to determine a champion. Cut and dry.

well, as much as I love the big east tournament, I’m not about to compare it to winning the World Series.

The team that finished first in the regular season is the regular season champion. The team that wins the conference tournament is the conference tournament champion. Like you said it’s not that deep. I can understand your perspective though

The team that finishes in first is the regular season champion, sure, just like every sport. But the team that wins the tournament is the CONFERENCE CHAMPION, again, just like every other sport with this structure.

Like, Jesus, this whole thing started cause Xavier and Creighton were pissed they lost in the BET so they started claiming themselves BE champs to feel better. Underlying motive is they’re pissed they didn’t win the BET! DING DING DING!

OKay, okay. Folks get it. The BET winner is the conference champion.

Why do they bother to give out a regular season trophy?

So our goal is not to win the RS, but to win enough to be a top 4 seed in the BET. Then let the chips fall where they may? Nice.

Why even bother with the regular season? Use the pre-season conference coaches poll and just play the BET. Oh yeah, I almost forgot-butts in the seats, dinero, tv.

[altmanforprez]

Dude it’s not that deep. The NCAA tournament as we know it is incomparable to anything in any sport. The way the Big East season is set up is directly comparable to every single other competitive sports league in the friggin country. We play 18 regular season games to determine seeding, then a playoff tournament to determine a champion. Cut and dry.

well, as much as I love the big east tournament, I’m not about to compare it to winning the World Series.

The team that finished first in the regular season is the regular season champion. The team that wins the conference tournament is the conference tournament champion. Like you said it’s not that deep. I can understand your perspective though

The team that finishes in first is the regular season champion, sure, just like every sport. But the team that wins the tournament is the CONFERENCE CHAMPION, again, just like every other sport with this structure.

Like, Jesus, this whole thing started cause Xavier and Creighton were pissed they lost in the BET so they started claiming themselves BE champs to feel better. Underlying motive is they’re pissed they didn’t win the BET! DING DING DING!

Given that Creighton has never won a Big East regular season or BET title I highly doubt that's the case. I love the BET, I've been a few times now and it's the absolute best basketball experience in the country. However, I get the vibe that some of the older schools still view the BET in from the perspective of the 16 team mini NCAA tournament format. Now with the double round robin schedule a team at the end of the regular season has a much better lay to claim as the "Champion" of the Big East than in the 10 years prior where you may only see a handful of teams twice in conference play and it came down to the luck of your schedule where you fell in the Big East pecking order.

[Westbrook#36]

What's better? Prime rib or lobster tail? You know what, both are great.

This BET vs. RS title argument is played out, IMO the BET is sexier, while the RS is more satisfying. Either way you're hanging a banner.

There’s absolutely nothing satisfying about coming in first then losing the BET.

Guess you actually have to win one to appreciate it?

[Django]

I’m going to start a poll. Since The Jays have a legit shot at both I’m torn.

[ThrowDownDBrown]

Maybe if SH and Providence stopped overvaluing the rather meaningless conference tournament they'd stop shitting the bed every March in the real tournament....

[stever20]

Maybe if SH and Providence stopped overvaluing the rather meaningless conference tournament they'd stop shitting the bed every March in the real tournament....

The problem for both of them have been the regular seasons- putting themselves in the 7-10 pit of misery numerous times.... Setting up in essence road games in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournaments. Playing Kansas in Wichita isn't fun. Playing UNC in Raleigh isn't easy at all...

[GumbyDamnit!]

I definitely think the conference tournament is bigger in the Big East than any other conference in the country because with that stage at MSG, it is our league's identity. Every other league in the country could probably drop their conference tournament, give the auto bid to the regular season champ, and not really miss a beat. It's not like any ACC schools are selling recruits on how great it is to go play in Greensboro. If the Big East Tournament was dropped though, it would leave a significant hole in our league. When college hoops fans hear "Big East Basketball" they think of tournament games at the Garden.

Nice post Hall. I agree with your take.

Ok, in this METOO / pol. correct world what I'm about to say is completely unacceptable...

Regular Season is like looking back at an old college girlfriend that you dated for a while. Lots of tape to review... good and bad, but ultimately fond memories. It is a good indication of my overall "game" in college.

The BET is that one night stand when you may have ultimately played up in class. That smoke show, you somehow landed that you'll never forget. Saturday Night finals in MSG is just that. All things come together perfectly. You're on the big stage performing. Everyone else is watching in admiration. For that one night, very few things are sweeter.

So...I think back to my time as an undergrad and both are emblazoned in my memories. Which is better? Regular season has more highlights--buzzer beaters in Hinkle, rock fights in the Dunk, $1 beer night in Omaha in front of a packed crowd, The Ski Lodge rocking after a barrage of 3's. Great memories of a great season march to a Regular Season Title. But oh man, to have that one night back...in MSG with that place rocking. Nothing like it.