2026 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament: Bracket, Scores, How to Watch – March 12 Updates

By Trendy News | Published: March 12, 2026

Introduction to the 2026 Big East Tournament

The 2026 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament Presented by Jeep is in full swing at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City from March 11-14. This marks the 44th consecutive year the event has been held at MSG, delivering high-stakes college basketball drama that often shapes March Madness seeding. With powerhouses like No. 1 seed St. John's, No. 2 UConn, and others battling for the automatic NCAA Tournament bid, the tournament is a must-watch for fans.

As of March 12, first-round action has concluded, and quarterfinals are underway today. The Big East remains one of the strongest conferences, boasting multiple ranked teams and bubble implications for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Expect upsets, star performances, and intense rivalries in this single-elimination format where the champion claims the conference's auto-bid.

2026 Big East Tournament Bracket and Seeding

The bracket features all 11 Big East teams, with the top 5 seeds receiving a bye to the quarterfinals. Here's the updated bracket with results:

Round	Matchup	Score / Status	Time / TV
First Round (March 11)	No. 9 Providence vs. No. 8 Butler	Providence 91-81	Completed (Peacock/NBCSN)
First Round	No. 10 Xavier vs. No. 7 Marquette	Xavier 89-87	Completed (Peacock/NBCSN)
First Round	No. 11 Georgetown vs. No. 6 DePaul	DePaul win (details pending full reports)	Completed (Peacock/NBCSN)
Quarterfinals (March 12)	No. 1 St. John's vs. No. 9 Providence	Ongoing / Upcoming	Noon ET, Peacock
Quarterfinals	No. 4 Seton Hall vs. No. 5 Creighton	Ongoing / Upcoming	2:30 p.m. ET, Peacock
Quarterfinals	No. 2 UConn vs. No. 10 Xavier	7 p.m. ET	FS1
Semifinals (March 13)	Winners of QF 4 & 5	5:30 p.m. ET	FOX
Semifinals	Winners of remaining QFs	8 p.m. ET	FS1
Championship (March 14)	Semifinal Winners	6:30 p.m. ET	FOX

Latest Scores and Highlights from Day 1

The tournament kicked off with thrilling first-round action on March 11:

• Providence 91, Butler 81: Providence's Stefan Vaaks tied a Big East Tournament record with eight 3-pointers, leading the Friars to a convincing win and advancing them as the No. 9 seed upset.
• Xavier 89, Marquette 87: A nail-biter where Xavier edged out Marquette, spoiling the Golden Eagles' hopes and setting up a tough matchup for UConn.
• DePaul vs. Georgetown: DePaul advanced, keeping their postseason alive in a lower-seed battle.

These results have shaken up the bracket, with lower seeds showing resilience and bubble teams fighting for NCAA relevance.

How to Watch the 2026 Big East Tournament

Don't miss a moment of the action. Here's the full viewing guide:

• TV Channels: NBCSN (early rounds), FS1, FOX (later rounds and championship).
• Streaming: Peacock streams first-round and early quarterfinals (March 11-12). Fubo, DirecTV, and other platforms carry FS1/FOX games. Check local listings for NBCSN availability.
• Live Updates: Follow on the official Big East website (bigeast.com) for brackets, box scores, and highlights. Apps like the NCAA March Madness Live or conference apps provide real-time scores.

Pro tip: Peacock is essential for early games, while FOX broadcasts the high-profile championship on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Key Teams and Players to Watch in 2026

St. John's (No. 1 seed): Led by coach Rick Pitino, the Red Storm are poised for a deep run and potential rematch with rivals like UConn. Their defense and experience make them favorites.

UConn Huskies (No. 2 seed): Dan Hurley's squad (27-4 record entering) aims to defend their championship pedigree. Facing Xavier today, they look to advance and secure a top NCAA seed.

Seton Hall and Creighton: Mid-seed battles with strong offenses. Seton Hall's improvement under their coach is notable.

Upset Watch: Providence's hot shooting and Xavier's grit could lead to more surprises. Players like Vaaks (Providence) are emerging as stars.

March Madness Implications

The Big East winner gets the auto-bid, but multiple teams are in the at-large picture. UConn and St. John's are likely locks, while others like Seton Hall fight on the bubble. Strong tournament performances can boost resumes ahead of Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026.

Historical Context and Why It Matters

The Big East Tournament has produced legendary moments, from Villanova's upsets to UConn's dominance. Held annually at MSG since the 1980s, it's a staple of college hoops culture. In 2026, with the conference's strength, expect national attention and potential top-10 matchups.

Conclusion

The 2026 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament is delivering excitement from day one. With quarterfinals today featuring St. John's vs. Providence and UConn vs. Xavier, tune in via Peacock or FS1. Follow for live updates as the road to the championship unfolds at Madison Square Garden. Who will hoist the trophy on March 14?

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