Big Ten formally weds with New York City

IOWA CITY - The Big Ten formally announced Tuesday it will hold its 2018 men's basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The tournament's dates are set for Wednesday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 4. The tournament will be staged one week earlier than usual and will not filter into the NCAA selection show as in years past. It also means the conference season will start in December, if not earlier.

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery likes the move.

'I think it's great,” he said. 'I'm not so sure it's not better. But what will happen is we'll have the opportunity to sort of evaluate all the coaches, all the athletic directors, Commissioner (Jim) Delany and kind of see, ‘Do we really like this, or are we going to go back to the traditional time period? Because you go right up to Selection Sunday, and if you get shipped west, then you get shipped east, you know, it's taxing on your team. That's what happened to Michigan State last year.”

Additionally, Big Ten men's basketball and hockey programs will stage regular-season doubleheaders at Madison Square Garden in late January or early February from 2016 through 2019. The first doubleheader features Michigan and Penn State competing in basketball and hockey teams on Jan. 30, 2016. Other Big Ten teams competing in both sports include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Iowa has played in New York City twice recently. The Hawkeyes competed in the 2013 NIT semifinals and finals. In November, Iowa played two games at Madison Square Garden as part of the 2K Classic.

The Big Ten receives branding opportunities at Madison Square Garden, similar to its signage at Yankee Stadium.

'We are thrilled to establish this long-term partnership with Madison Square Garden, one of the most-revered brands and buildings in all of sports,” Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement. 'This pairing is a natural fit for us as we continue to extend our brand and live in two regions of the country. The Garden has been the site of countless iconic moments throughout history, and we look forward to showcasing some of the best basketball and hockey programs in the country through this partnership.”

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com