New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The Big East and Big Ten have announced the formation of the Gavitt Tipoff Games, an annual early-season series of eight men's basketball games played between the two conferences beginning in 2015-16.
The event is named in honor of Big East founder and basketball Hall of Famer Dave Gavitt.
"We are excited to honor Dave Gavitt and his contributions to the sport of basketball through the establishment of the Gavitt Tipoff Games," said Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany on Monday in a statement. "Dave was a friend and a mentor to me and often mentioned that college basketball should do a better job of tipping off the season, similar to opening day in baseball. I think he would approve of our effort to start a new tipoff tradition, grow the game and serve the best interests of the student-athletes and coaches in these two great conferences."
The Gavitt Tipoff Games will be played on four consecutive days in the first full week of the college basketball season. The series will span eight years, with games played at home sites.
"On behalf of the entire Gavitt family, we are humbled and grateful for this incredible honor in Dave's memory from the Big Ten and Big East Conferences," said Dan Gavitt, NCAA vice president of men's basketball championships and son of Dave Gavitt. "My father would love the spirit of creativity and friendship these games represent to tip off the college basketball season."
The full schedule of games will be announced in late spring of each year.
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