ESPN has announced the 2009-10 Big Monday Big East men’s college basketball schedule.

The programming begins January 11 with Villanova at Louisville in a showdown between NCAA Tournament participants from last year. Villanova reached the Final Four and Louisville the Elite Eight.

Louisville, the defending Big East Tournament champions, beat Villanova in both matchups last season, including in the conference semifinals.

Prior to the tip off of the Big Monday schedule, ESPN will showcase Pittsburgh at Cincinnati on Monday, Jan. 4, giving Bearcats freshman Lance Stephenson of Brooklyn (pictured) a national showcase.

BIG EAST schedule highlights include:

●    Connecticut at Villanova in a showdown between the two Big East Final Four participants February 15;

●    Coverage featuring three of the four programs which made it to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight: Connecticut, Louisville and Villanova (the fourth, Pittsburgh, will be televised January 4).

●    All four Big East teams on the ESPN.com pre-season poll by Andy Katz: #4 Villanova, #9 West Virginia, #18 Georgetown and #25 Connecticut;

●    At least one team that has won the NCAA Championship in ESPN’s 30 years in each game: Connecticut (1999 & 2004), Georgetown (1984), Louisville (1980 & 1986), Syracuse (2003) and Villanova (1985), including four matchups between the teams:

ESPN’s 2009-10 Big Monday BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Schedule

January 4
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

January 11
Villanova at Louisville

January 18
Syracuse at Notre Dame

January 25
Georgetown at Syracuse

February 1
Connecticut at Louisville

February 8
Villanova at West Virginia

February 15
Connecticut at Villanova

February 22
West Virginia at Connecticut

March 1
Georgetown at West Virginia

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