UConn, the two-time defending NCAA champs, open the Big East Tournament vs. Villanova at their home away from home - Madison Square Garden. Read our Villanova vs. UConn predictions and best bets here.

It was after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when Kyle Neptune, Eric Dixon, and Jordan Longino walked off a podium inside Madison Square Garden and headed back toward the Villanova locker room. The third-seeded Wildcats got past a seven-win Seton Hall team in the opening round of the Big East tournament despite 16 turnovers and two separate spells of nearly eight minutes without a made basket.

The quarterfinal round of the Big East Tournament concludes Thursday night with Villanova (19-13, 11-9) looking to continue their last-second bid for an NCAA Tournament invite against UConn (22-9, 14-6).