Marquette basketball's second season of Big East Conference play is highlighted by home-and-home series with Pittsburgh, Louisville and Providence, along with home games against Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia, Rutgers and Seton Hall, the conference announced today.

In 2006-'07, each school will play 10 schools once, three schools twice, and not play two schools. Beginning with the 2007-'08 season, the Big East will play 18 conference games: every team once and three teams twice.

In addition to its three repeat opponents, Tom Crean's team will play road games at Connecticut, DePaul, Georgetown, Notre Dame and South Florida. MU will not face Cincinnati or St. John's in the regular season.

Syracuse and Villanova, two of the conference's elite programs, make their first appearance in Milwaukee in 23 and 39 seasons, respectively. The Orange lost 79-68 to MU on Dec. 17, 1983, and the Wildcats dropped an 80-67 decision on Dec. 20, 1967. Rutgers and Seton Hall will be making their first regular season appearances in Milwaukee.

Marquette basketball full season ticket packages and mini-plans are on-sale now. Full season ticket packages begin at $180 and mini-plans at $45. For more information call (414) 288-GOMU.

Dates, times and television information will be announced later this summer.