Men's Basketball Will Play Four Crossover Opponents

June 26, 2001

PROVIDENCE, R.I. —– The Notre Dame men’s basketball team will play four crossover games against Miami, Providence, St. John’s and Villanova in the second year of the 16-game BIG EAST regular-season format during the 2001-02 season.

Last year, the league implemented a divisional format in which the 14 teams were broken down into two seven-team divisions – East and West. Each school plays 12 divisional games on a home-and-home basis and four crossover games against teams from the other division (two at home and two on the road). Notre Dame plays Providence and Villanova at home this season, while facing Miami and St. John’s on the road.

The Irish won the BIG EAST West Division a year ago, finishing with an 11-5 league mark and 20-10 overall record. It was the first-ever BIG EAST title for the men’s basketball team since Notre Dame became a conference member in 1995-96. In addition to Notre Dame, the West Division is comprised of Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall Syracuse and West Virginia, while Boston College, Connecticut, Miami, Providence, St. John’s, Villanova and Virginia Tech make up the East Division.

Notre Dame played the Red Storm during the regular season at home a year ago, but did not face the Hurricanes, Friars or Wildcats.

The 2001-02 cross-divisional opponents for each team are as follows: