Today at 7 PM EST, the Seton Hall Pirates will face the Butler Bulldogs at Madison Square Garden in the annual Big East Tournament, with the winner having the “privilege” to play #3 and top-seeded Villanova. In the past (and only) two meetings between Seton Hall and Butler, Butler has bested the Pirates, including the regular season finale. Senior Fuquan Edwin and company looks to put a stop to that tonight, as this could very well be his last game as a Pirate. Luckily, the Pirates have some good fortune working for them today.

It's our birthday on game day ! Happy birthday to me and my lil bro @JarenSina #Shunited #BirthdayBoys pic.twitter.com/CRVImYDpAb

— Brandon Mobley (@BruckShotTeddy) March 12, 2014

Even with birthday wishes, there is no way to sugarcoat it: Butler has the Pirates’ number this season. With their latest defeat (which ensured them a losing record), it was an embarrassing 71-54 effort put forth by the boys in blue. However, as detail oriented as HC Kevin Willard is, the Pirates will almost certainly not make the same mistakes again. Seton Hall is even ever so slightly favored to win this game, and they have an entire fan base hoping they do.

While not technically an inaugural tournament, this tournament is the debut of the New Big East. Last year during the conference realignment that saw the “Catholic 7” (Seton Hall, Villanova, St. John’s, Providence, Marquette, DePaul and Georgetown) break away from the D-I football schools (USF, Cincinnati, UConn, among others) to form their own basketball centric conference. During their departure, they made sure to retain the rights to the name “The Big East” as well as the very important conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. If anyone has any doubt, just remember that this is technically the postseason, which means that anything can happen. As always, Hazard Zet Forward and go Pirates!