Providence AD: Big East tournament to Sun in 2021
When UConn made its move back to the Big East last June, it seemed a natural that the conference would eventually move its women’s basketball tournament to the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Geno Auriemma suggested it when the move was announced in New York, in fact, and other coaches have speculated such a move was inevitable, because UConn’s presence would fill any possible Connecticut venue.
On Friday, Providence AD Bob Driscoll told the Westerly Sun, “With UConn coming back into the conference, we’re going to be playing our women’s basketball Big East championships at Mohegan Sun moving forward. That’s going to probably sell out, which will be great financially and exposure-wise.”
There is no official word. The Big East has staged its tournament at DePaul’s arena in Chicago six of the last seven years. A Big East spokesperson acknowledged Saturday that the conference has interest in the Mohegan Sun, among other possibilities for 2021.
A Mohegan Sun spokesperson declined comment.
However, many signs point to it, as UConn officially becomes a Big East member on July 1. If the coronavirus is still an issue next March, the Mohegan Sun, part of a sovereign nation, can make its own decisions about opening and capacity.
Providence, concerned about being able to play in the Dunkin’ Donuts Arena before the end of 2020, is looking into playing some men’s basketball home games at the Mohegan Sun, Driscoll said. It was in that context that he mentioned the women’s basketball tournament.
“It’s a great place to watch a game,” Driscoll said, “and you’ll still have all the amenities with the restaurants there, but we would certainly rather play downtown in our home arena. If we can’t, we’ve got to figure it out.”
The original Big East had its conference tournament at Gampel Pavilion seven times, then played at the XL Center in Hartford each year from 2004-13.
The American Athletic Conference, UConn’s affiliation from 2013-20, has had its tournament at Mohegan Sun, where UConn won the trophy each year.