Last Night Was Old School Big East Tournament Basketball

[Herman Cain]

Last nights semis was the type of games and environment that built the reputation of the Big East tournament. A real buzz in the immediate neighborhood with true fans of college basketball not a bunch of corporate stiffs. The parity of the league made it a real tournament any one can win, which was how it was back in the day.

Not only were all tickets sold out, all the seats where actually filled.  My estimate is that the Villanova contingent was about 50 -60 percent of the crowd. About 25-30  percent was Seton Hall with MU the next biggest block and then X. The Non Nova group rooted for X in the first game, so with both teams bands etc it was very loud on every play. X stepped up to the plate and played hard.

Most of the crowd stayed for the night cap. A few of the disappointed X fans left their seats and the better seats were quickly filled with fans from the The Hall. The alcohol really starting to soak in with those Hall fans . There were guys sitting next to us shouting  ridiculous things like Shiver Me Timbers etc laced with various nasty epithets.   The game itself started to take on that typical New York Friday night crowd  ugly tone  .  A lot of mouthing off and then it turned very physical. Reminded me of the battles between The Johnnies and The Thompson Era  Hoyas. It was those battles years ago which made the BET such a great event.

With the parity of the league we are going to continue to see nights like last night in the future.   It will actually work to the benefit of the league as a whole. More excitement and enthusiasm for Big East basketball is a very attractive tool for recruiting. Although MU fans are disappointed with the outcome, MU can and will benefit from being part of this great tournament. With most of the league returning big portions of their roster next year, the tournament is going to be very competitive again next year.

[warriorfred]

So "Old School BET" = Fixed Game. 

Wonderful.

[vogue65]

Last nights semis was the type of games and environment that built the reputation of the Big East tournament. A real buzz in the immediate neighborhood with true fans of college basketball not a bunch of corporate stiffs. The parity of the league made it a real tournament any one can win, which was how it was back in the day.

Not only were all tickets sold out, all the seats where actually filled.  My estimate is that the Villanova contingent was about 50 -60 percent of the crowd. About 25-30  percent was Seton Hall with MU the next biggest block and then X. The Non Nova group rooted for X in the first game, so with both teams bands etc it was very loud on every play. X stepped up to the plate and played hard.

Most of the crowd stayed for the night cap. A few of the disappointed X fans left their seats and the better seats were quickly filled with fans from the The Hall. The alcohol really starting to soak in with those Hall fans . There were guys sitting next to us shouting  ridiculous things like Shiver Me Timbers etc laced with various nasty epithets.   The game itself started to take on that typical New York Friday night crowd  ugly tone  .  A lot of mouthing off and then it turned very physical. Reminded me of the battles between The Johnnies and The Thompson Era  Hoyas. It was those battles years ago which made the BET such a great event.

With the parity of the league we are going to continue to see nights like last night in the future.   It will actually work to the benefit of the league as a whole. More excitement and enthusiasm for Big East basketball is a very attractive tool for recruiting. Although MU fans are disappointed with the outcome, MU can and will benefit from being part of this great tournament. With most of the league returning big portions of their roster next year, the tournament is going to be very competitive again next year.

Did anyone ever say you talk a lot?

[Herman Cain]

Did anyone ever say you talk a lot?

Al would have loved last nights environment. Pure low brow street fight. He probably would have been ejected too.

[SoCalEagle]

Herman, I think you're on to something.  Old style Big East basketball didn't get its reputation for nothing.  With the new Big East, you have to be tough and physical to play, and MU has always been one of those teams. 

Go Warriors!!!

[HutchwasClutch]

Let's not sugar coat it... last night was a screw job on MU.

[Goose]

Al would have loved last night. Sometimes you have to play in hostile environments. I said it last night, if he had won, this would be game talked about for a long, long time. Even with the loss, it will not fade away quickly.

[tower912]

Yes, this one will be talked about in the pantheon of other epic games decided by the refs.   Ohio State, Miami.....

[HutchwasClutch]

Yes, this one will be talked about in the pantheon of other epic games decided by the refs.   Ohio State, Miami.....

+1000 Tower.

[Da 'Lanche]

I found the game almost unwatchable.  54 fouls and 85 free throws in a 40 minute game.  If this would have been an NCAA tourney game it would have been even worse with the constant tv timeouts.

I loved the physicality and chippiness but in the old big east, they would have let them play and settle it on the playground...I mean court.

It was good to see the fight in the warrior again!

[vogue65]

Al would have loved last nights environment. Pure low brow street fight. He probably would have been ejected too.

Better, I agree with you 100%.  However, this is 2019 and not 1977.  I was here, MU/Milwaukee, in 1967, my recollection is that one year when he was disrespected by the NCAA committee, again, he declined the bid and went to the NIT.  So the question is, would he go back to the BE tournament?  Probably not, but today he would and WOJO unfortunatly must go back.

[Shooter McGavin]

Was saying the same thing last night to my kids.  The new big east teams are finally starting to develop some hatred for each other and that is a good thing.  It willl lead to better games and better fan turnout. I never hated St. John's or seton hall until this year.  Now I do and that's a good thing.

[vogue65]

Was saying the same thing last night to my kids.  The new big east teams are finally starting to develop some hatred for each other and that is a good thing.  It willl lead to better games and better fan turnout. I never hated St. John's or seton hall until this year.  Now I do and that's a good thing.

Yes at the team to team level, however, at a higjer level, the midwest teams are getting screwed.

[CountryRoads]

Was saying the same thing last night to my kids.  The new big east teams are finally starting to develop some hatred for each other and that is a good thing.  It willl lead to better games and better fan turnout. I never hated St. John's or seton hall until this year.  Now I do and that's a good thing.

I agree with this. I really am growing a dislike for St John's and Seton Hall. I'm anxiously awaiting tomorrow and I really hope our throttling of St John's knocked them out of the tournament. Someone smarter than me would have to run the numbers but I'd love to know the blowout dropped them in kenpom, etc a couple more spots than a close game would have. That was some sweet revenge and I'm really hoping they're out as a result. Their fans are as arrogant and obnoxious as any.

Seton Hall...it would have been a great win and I'm still feeling adrenaline from it but tomorrow at 5pm we will be able to shift focus on what matters. Getting to the big east championship would have been cool but the team could use the extra day to rest and get ready.

I'm feeling some good memories still to come. These guys will be fired up.

[NickelDimer]

I found the game almost unwatchable.  54 fouls and 85 free throws in a 40 minute game.  If this would have been an NCAA tourney game it would have been even worse with the constant tv timeouts.

I loved the physicality and chippiness but in the old big east, they would have let them play and settle it on the playground...I mean court.

It was good to see the fight in the warrior again!

Yep. Had no issues with the play. Loved it actually. The refs are what blew that game and they weren't old school BE. They were inadequate hacks who should turn in their whistles

[#UnleashSean]

That physical play is what was missing in the new big east. Even crowder era big east was much more physical.  Glad to see it return, to bad the refs thought it was still the new big east.

[GooooMarquette]

Game was fine, players were fine, refs were pu$$ies.