NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 Gavitt Games matchups for 2023-24 season

The Gavitt Games is an annual NCAA Basketball conference battle between the Big Ten and Big East that started in 2015. It’s a series of eight games, which usually features a couple of ranked matchups. It was tied at 4-4 for the first three years before the Big Ten took three of the last four years (2020 was canceled due to covid).

Last season, the Big Ten dominated, winning six out of eight games. That includes the three biggest matchups, all close and compelling games. Purdue defeated Marquette, in what ended up being a battle of top-5 teams. Indiana beat Xavier at the buzzer, while Michigan State also outlasted Villanova at home.

The only success the Big East had was St. John’s beating Nebraska by 20 points, as well as Depaul handling Minnesota. With the series set to end after this upcoming season, the Big East has one more time to beat the Big Ten and the scheduled matchups for 2023 have just been released.

There are a few notable teams that aren’t set to play. On the Big East side, reigning champion UConn won’t be participating, along with perennial NCAA Tournament team, Providence. For the Big Ten, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Indiana aren’t playing.

However, there are still some good matchups to anticipate ahead of the 2023-24 season. Here’s a look at how I would rank the future Gavitt Games matchups in order of the potential storylines and overall projected talented level for both sides. Those that are likely blowouts are going to be lower.