What up now, ACC? You ain’t got nothin’ on the Big E. Well, in terms of basketball, at least. But we’re from Georgetown, so as far as we’re concerned, we goin’ sizzla, we goin’ sizzla!
As I checked my e-mail at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, I almost by habit deleted the broadcast e-mail from the Office of Communications entitled “A message from the President.” C’mon O.C., you need to put an urgent stamp on that kind of information. The Big East has just become the most dominant conference in all of college basketball, and you don’t seem too overzealous to communicate it.
Inside the e-mail was our president, John J. DeGioia, describing the easiest decision of his life. In all fairness, he has worked hard with athletic director Joe Lang to secure Big East basketball and must be commended for his efforts.
As I quickly forwarded the e-mail to my buddy at the University of Miami, fist pumping in the air, I thought about the new teams joining the Big East:
Louisville under Rick Pitino and Cincinnati under Bob “Boobies and a Bypass” Huggins are two of the biggest basketball programs in the country. Marquette is no slouch either. We all saw what they did in last year’s NCAA Tournament. If this deal had taken place a few years back, there would’ve been two Big East teams in the Final Four. When’s the last time that happened? I’ll give you a hint-greatest upset in NCAA Tournament history. Damn you, Villanova.
DePaul has had its years as well. Remember back in 1979 when a young Magic Johnson was taking care of business for Michigan State? Well, DePaul, led by Mark Aguirre, was in that Final Four! Detroit bad-boys fans, you’re picking up what I’m laying down.
As for the University of South Florida Bulls, well, they weren’t even invited to the NIT last year, but hopefully by joining a new conference their luck will change.
True, the ACC will always have Duke, Maryland and North Carolina. But the additions of Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College in terms of basketball don’t compare with the Big East additions. By the start of the 2005-2006 season, seven of the top 25 teams in this year’s pre-season top 25 polls will be from the Big East: Connecticut, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Marquette, Cincinnati and Louisville. The ACC only has four: Duke, Maryland, Wake Forest and North Carolina.
The 16-team Big East in 2005 will have a combined 39 Final Four appearances, nine national titles and 311 all-time NCAA bids. It’s time for March Madness to be dominated by Big East basketball. And while Georgetown may not be there for a few years, it’s always refreshing to see Big East teams succeeding in the big dance.
Yes, it’s kind of sucky that all this came down to the almighty dollar. But some of the ramifications have been great. How about Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun stating that he refuses to play Boston College anymore after they ditched out on the Big East. And maybe all this hoopla will help the Georgetown Hoyas land a top-25 recruit in the near future.
I’m pumped right now, I’m not going to lie. This is great for our conference and for our school. Big East basketball, baby! Hoya “motha-$@x%x$” Saxa!
