As previously announced, Honda Center and the Big West Conference agreed to a five-year partnership to host its annual men's and women's post-season basketball tournament beginning in 2011.  Today, the Big West announced the move results in a return to the traditionally seeded tournament format the conference last utilized in 2003.

The new tournament format includes the following:

•  The 2011 event in Honda Center will be held for three days from March 10-12.

•  The top eight men’s and women’s teams in the final regular season standings will compete in a traditionally seeded format (#1 vs. #8, #2 vs. #7, #3 vs. #6, #4 vs. #5).

•  The men’s tournament will be contested with four quarterfinal games on Thursday, March 10, two semifinal games on Friday, March 11 and the championship game on Saturday, March 12 at Honda Center.

•  The women’s tournament will begin with four quarterfinal games on the campus sites of the top four seeded teams on Tuesday, March 8.

•  The four winning women’s quarterfinal teams will advance to the semifinals at Honda Center on Friday, March 11.  The championship game will be played on Saturday, March 12.

“The return to the traditionally seeded format will make it easier for the fans of our men’s teams to plan their attendance at the event well in advance, since all eight qualifying teams will be playing in the quarterfinals on Thursday,” said Big West Commissioner Dennis Farrell.  “The women’s first round games will be able to be played in prime time in home arenas.  We anticipate the atmosphere at those games will be electric.”