Current Big East Conference Teams and Membership Overview
The Big East Conference currently sponsors championship competition in 11 sports and is best known for its prominent basketball programs. The league’s core membership includes 11 primary associate members, with several schools sponsoring additional NCAA sports independently. This guide lists each current primary member, the year each joined the Big East, the number of Big East championships won through the 2023–24 academic year where widely reported, and the flagship sport used in this overview. All figures are drawn from publicly available conference records and official media guides through the most recently completed academic year.
| Team (Primary Affiliate) | Joined Big East | Big East Team Championships (as of 2023–24) | Flagship Sport for This Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler University | 2013 (joined from Horizon League) | 0 | Men’s Basketball |
| Creighton University | 2013 (joined from Missouri Valley Conference) | 3 (2021, 2022, 2023) | Men’s Basketball |
| DePaul University | 2012 (Big East "core" reorganized; original Big East member 1979–2015, left for new Big East/AAC, rejoined 2023) | 3 (1980, 1982, 2004) | Men’s Basketball |
| Georgetown University | 1979 (Big East "core" founding member; left for new Big East/AAC 2012, rejoined 2021) | 8 (1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 11989, 1995, 2007) | Men’s Basketball |
| Marquette University | 2005 (left for now-Big East/AAC 2012, rejoined 2023) | 2 (2003, 2011) | Men’s Basketball |
| Providence College | 2005 (left for now-Big East/AAC 2012, rejoined 2022) | 0 | Men’s Basketball |
| Seton Hall University | 1979 (Big East "core" founding member; left for new Big East/AAC 2015, rejoined 2021) | 0 | Men’s Basketball |
| St. John’s University | 1979 (Big East "core" founding member; left for new Big East/AAC 2017, rejoined 2021) | 2 (1983, 1992) | Men’s Basketball |
| Villanova University | 1980 (Big East "core" member; left for new Big East/AAC 2015, rejoined 2021) | 7 (1985, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2018) | Men’s Basketball |
| Xavier University | 2013 (joined from Atlantic 10 Conference) | 0 | Men’s Basketball |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) | 2020 (left for AAC 2020, rejoined 2020; rejoined as primary member 2023) | 8 (1990, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024) | Men’s Basketball |
What Defines the Big East Today
Today’s Big East is a basketball-first conference that returned to a 10–11 team primary membership model after realignments that concluded in 2023. The conference sponsors championship competition in 11 sports, but basketball remains the marquee sport and the main reason for the league’s national profile. Schools such as Butler, Creighton, and Xavier compete primarily in the Big East, while other full members balance additional conference commitments in leagues such as the Missouri Valley or Atlantic 10. The membership table above reflects the most recent, widely reported affiliation timelines and championship counts through the 2023–24 season.
Membership History and Realignments
The modern Big East was formed in 2013 when the original 1979–2013 conference split into two entities: the non-football playing schools retained the Big East name, while several schools with major football programs formed the American Athletic Conference (AAC). In the decade that followed, nearly all of the classic Big East schools left and returned at different times, creating a multi–wave cycle of departures and reunions. By 2023, the conference stabilized with a set of members widely covered in reputable media and confirmed in the league’s public academic reports.
Departures and Independent Paths
Several schools that once held primary Big East membership now compete in other conferences or as independents, most notably in football and other sports. For example, Temple University was a full member from 1991 to 2012 and now competes primarily as an independent in football and a member of the AAC in most other sports. Rutgers University spent time in the Big East but joined the AAC in 2014 and later the Big Ten Conference in 2014 (football) and 2021 (all sports), reflecting how conference affiliation evolves with athletic department strategy.
Sports Sponsorship and Competitive Landscape
The Big East sponsors 11 championship sports, with basketball receiving the most prominent media coverage and recruitment resources. Many members maintain strong traditions in additional sports, but the conference’s identity remains tied to its annual basketball tournament and the national visibility it receives each spring. Below is a concise snapshot of how the current teams compare in key sports commonly referenced alongside the Big East.
| Sport | Typical Number of Member Teams with Sponsored Programs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Basketball | 11 (full members) | Marquee sport; conference tournament determines NCAA bid |
| Women’s Basketball | 11 (full members) | All primary members sponsor women’s basketball |
| Football | 0 (no conference football) | No Big East football; members compete as independents or in other leagues |
| Soccer (Men’s) | Varies; most members sponsor | Some members house the sport in other conferences, e.g., Big Ten or AAC |
| Baseball | Varies; several members sponsor | Often aligned with soccer membership; not all members sponsor baseball |
Why Membership Details Matter
Understanding which schools are in the Big East helps fans, recruits, and media assess competitive balance, travel logistics, and the conference’s national profile. The modern era’s narrative is one of realignment and return, with a clear emphasis on keeping basketball at the forefront. For stakeholders ranging from students to broadcasters, the member list is foundational context for any discussion about the league’s present and future.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many teams are in the Big East Conference?
The Big East currently has 11 primary associate members that compete in most sponsored sports. The conference does not sponsor football, so there are no football-specific affiliate teams in the league structure.
Which schools have been members the longest in the current alignment? Since the 2013 reorganization, Creighton and Butler have been continuous members for the longest tenure among the current crop, having joined in 2013 and remained since. DePaul, Georgetown, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and Villanova are original 1979–2013 members who returned in the early 2020s, while Butler, Creighton, and Xavier joined as new entrants in 2013. Does the Big East still sponsor sports other than basketball?
Yes. The conference sponsors championship competition in 11 sports, including women’s basketball, soccer, baseball, and several others. Membership in each sport can vary by institution, so not every school sponsors every offered sport within the Big East.
Are there plans for further expansion or changes?
Through the 2023–24 academic year and related public reports, the conference has indicated stability with its current membership model. Any future changes would be announced through official conference channels and institutional public relations offices.