KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Big 12 Conference has announced an extension of its contract to keep its men’s basketball tournament in Kansas City through 2024, along with a four-year scheduling pact with the Big East.
Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Wednesday that there was little debate whether to keep the tournament at Sprint Center. The previous contract was set to expire after the 2020 season.
As for the Big East alliance, Bowlsby said it was designed to address the scheduling concerns of many coaches. The Big 12 already plays a double round-robin schedule, and as other large leagues go to 20-game conference slates, it has become difficult to add competitive nonconference games.
The alliance will begin next year, with five games played at Big 12 venues and five played at Big East venues. Kansas-Villanova, Texas-Providence, Oklahoma-Creighton and Kansas State-Marquette are set, with the remaining games still to be scheduled.
