June 13, 2006

The Southeastern Conference will participate in a men’s basketball showcase event involving the Big East Conference beginning in December 2007. The details that have been finalized are as follows:

Term: 3 years

Dates: December 5-6, 2007 (Wed. – Thurs.)

December 10-11, 2008 (Wed. – Thurs.)

December 9-10, 2009 (Wed. – Thurs.)

Format: Four games each year (12 games over the 3-year term)

Four SEC teams will participate each year

All 12 SEC teams will participate once over the 3-year team

Two neutral sites will host two games each year (One SEC neutral site / One Big East neutral site)

TV Partner: All games will be televised on ESPN or ESPN2

Scheduling: The match-ups will be determined at a later date

“It’s an event that’s been long in the making. It’s taken an untold number of man hours and a lot of cooperation between the SEC, Big East and ESPN to finalize,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “I am pleased the conference has agreed to participate in this showcase event. The Big East is truly one of the top basketball conferences in the country. There are several outstanding features, including each of our teams participating at least once in a three-year period and all of the games will be televised by one of the ESPN properties. When you look at the two geographical regions of the respective conferences there are many coliseums that could serve as outstanding neutral sites. For example, in SEC states, you have Atlanta, Memphis, New Orleans, Birmingham, Miami and Tampa. I look forward to participating in this event.”