johnnyroadtrip.com - Big Ten Basketball Tournament Information

The Big Ten Tournament - A New Hoops Tradition

For years, the Big Ten was one of only two conferences without a men's basketball tournament (the Ivy League being the other). That changed in 1998 when the Big Ten and its hoops powerhouses convened in Chicago for the first-ever Big Ten tournament. Fourth seed Michigan won the first tourney, defeating 3rd-seeded Purdue in the championship.

The Big Ten tournament has quickly become one of the top two league tourneys in the country, along with the ACC Tournament. The Big Ten draws tremendous crowds to the tournament, and the frequency of upsets creates a frenzied atmosphere.

The first four tournaments were held at the United Center in Chicago, while the 2002 tournament was held at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The United Center hosts again in 2007 before Conseco takes over through 2012.

The Big Ten's eleven members all compete in the tournament. Thursday's opening round matches the bottom six teams in the standings in a tripleheader beginning at 11 am. Friday's quarterfinals match the first round winners and the top five regular season finishers in two doubleheaders beginning at 11 am and 5:30 pm.

The quarterfinal winners meet in the semifinals on Saturday beginning at 12:30 pm. On Sunday, the championship is decided at 2:30 pm.

To buy Big Ten Tournament tickets, click here.

Big Ten Tournament Tickets

Big Ten tourney tickets can be tough to find; the tournament is typically sold out before the event, so purchase tickets early.

Tickets are sold in booklets that contain a ticket to each of the five tournament sessions, or as single-session tickets. Face value for the 2006 tournament are $125 and $225. Single-session tickets range from $25 to $75.

If you don't get tickets in advance, you'll be buying on the street. Try to buy from fans and not scalpers to get a better price; in particular, look for fans of a team that just lost. Many of them will be getting out of town and will be looking to unload tickets.

If the tournament is sold out, we recommend buying as soon as you find a price you feel comfortable paying.

Big Ten Travel Information

Fans in the Big Ten travel frequently to support their teams. That fact, coupled with Chicago's proximity to many Big Ten schools and Indiana's love for basketball can make hotels tough to find (particularly in smaller Indy). Please book your hotels well in advance; click here for Chicago hotels, and here for Indianapolis hotels.

Check out our Chicago and Indianapolis pages for all the info you need about each city!!

Future Big Ten Tournament Sites and Dates

The Big Ten Tournament is always held in early March, and runs from Thursday through Sunday.

2006 - March 9-12, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Tournament Hotels)

2007 - March 8-11, United Center, Chicago, IL (Big Ten Tournament Hotels)

2008 - March 13-16, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Tournament Hotels)

2009 - March 12-15, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Tournament Hotels)

2010 - March 11-14, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Tournament Hotels)

2011 - March 10-13, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Tournament Hotels)

2012 - March 8-11, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Tournament Hotels)