The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

[z Revis]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Great post countryboy. It definitely is sad to see such a legendary arena shut down. And beyond that, L'ville beat the #1 team in the country to punch it's ticket to the NCAA tourney. An absolute perfect last win at Freedom Hall. Couldn't ask for anything better than that.

[crques]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Great win for the Mountaineers today. After their 1st half, they had no business even being in that game to have a chance to win it. Reynolds probably makes that open look 7 out of 10 times......Thank God today was one of the 3 he misses. LOL

[z Revis]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Great win for the Mountaineers today. After their 1st half, they had no business even being in that game to have a chance to win it. Reynolds probably makes that open look 7 out of 10 times......Thank God today was one of the 3 he misses. LOL

Yeah I was surprised he missed it, but if you take a look at the replay, the shot wouldn't have counted anyways. The buzzer went off before it left his hands.

[z Revis]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Lunardi STILL has UCONN in.

[Cusefan]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Lunardi STILL has UCONN in.

I think if UCONN can pull of 2 wins in the BET they will get in. 17 Wins probably will not get it done...

[KG]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Great win for the Mountaineers today. After their 1st half, they had no business even being in that game to have a chance to win it. Reynolds probably makes that open look 7 out of 10 times......Thank God today was one of the 3 he misses. LOL

I have to give Huggy credit. I thought he coached a great game, especially going to that 1-3-1 zone. Looked like a flashback of Bielien (sp).

I don't know how anyone could put UCONN in right now. That win vs Texas isn't even a Top 25 win anymore.

[PhantomPain]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

The emotion today inside Freedom Hall was almost unbearable. I went through an emotional rolodex as I laughed, cried, yelled in anger, and yelled in jubilation. The range of emotion from all of those who attended, I would dare to say was very similar to mine.

Its always a saddening experience as you watch seniors, especially 4 year players, play their final home game. But its taken to a whole other level, when you are watching the final home game in a building, where you've been attending basketball games for over 20 years. The building almost becomes a 2nd home, your fellow fanatics, quickly become friends, and in some cases, almost like family.

The game was so much more important than the drama that surrounded it, but no matter how hard to tried to focus on the importance of the game, you couldn't help but be distracted by the drama in which it encompassed.

Obviously I'm thrilled that UofL won for the simple fact of what it means for their NCAA tournament hopes. But probably even moreso, as odd as this may sound, I'm more excited that we were able to win, so that we could send a building that has been so instrumental to basketball, out the right way....with a win. Besides, I don't think anyone wanted to return after today's game, to attend a NIT game.

After the game had ended and the after game speeches from coach Pitino, the seniors, Coach Crum, and past players concluded, the Hall was still fairly packed, as people shared stories, memories, and laughed and cried as they ran the gauntlet of emotions while looking back through the history of this building. I know that I certainly broke into tears as I walked out the doors for the last time, at least in regards to watching Louisville men's basketball.

I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity to attend basketball games in such an atmosphere and historical monument that is Freedom Hall. I will cherish the legend of the Hall in its 54 years of service to Louisville, and I will forever cherish my 20 plus years of memories that I gained there.

Last call for the Hall. I enjoyed my stay and most certainly will never forget my last round with friends.

Excellent post, countryboy!

I have to say as much as I hate UL, I can fully appreciate the history that Freedom Hall has and I know it will always be missed by UL fans. I also want to congratulate you on the win! UL has Cuse's number this year and it definitely sealed UL's birth although I think they had enough on the resume to get in unless lost the 1st game of the Big East Tourney. UL was going very quickly down a path to the NIT and really did what they had to do the last 8 or 9 games to get in. Bravo

[crques]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

I have to give Huggy credit. I thought he coached a great game, especially going to that 1-3-1 zone. Looked like a flashback of Bielien (sp).

I don't know how anyone could put UCONN in right now. That win vs Texas isn't even a Top 25 win anymore.

Yeah the 1-3-1 has really been effective late in quite a few games for WVU this season. With a 6'9" player like Ebanks' wingspan up top, it's hard for smaller guards to get anything going against that defense, as was evident with Reynolds' struggles late in the game and overtime. I thought they played a really good defensive game throughout but free throws and poor perimeter shooting really could cost this team in the tournament. This team is talented enough to make a Final Four run, but also could make a 2nd round exit if they are struggling on offense as they did yesterday. It's going to be an interesting tournament, especially with 8 or 9 Big East teams making up a nice portion of the field.

[fishepa]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

The emotion today inside Freedom Hall was almost unbearable. I went through an emotional rolodex as I laughed, cried, yelled in anger, and yelled in jubilation. The range of emotion from all of those who attended, I would dare to say was very similar to mine.

Its always a saddening experience as you watch seniors, especially 4 year players, play their final home game. But its taken to a whole other level, when you are watching the final home game in a building, where you've been attending basketball games for over 20 years. The building almost becomes a 2nd home, your fellow fanatics, quickly become friends, and in some cases, almost like family.

The game was so much more important than the drama that surrounded it, but no matter how hard to tried to focus on the importance of the game, you couldn't help but be distracted by the drama in which it encompassed.

Obviously I'm thrilled that UofL won for the simple fact of what it means for their NCAA tournament hopes. But probably even moreso, as odd as this may sound, I'm more excited that we were able to win, so that we could send a building that has been so instrumental to basketball, out the right way....with a win. Besides, I don't think anyone wanted to return after today's game, to attend a NIT game.

After the game had ended and the after game speeches from coach Pitino, the seniors, Coach Crum, and past players concluded, the Hall was still fairly packed, as people shared stories, memories, and laughed and cried as they ran the gauntlet of emotions while looking back through the history of this building. I know that I certainly broke into tears as I walked out the doors for the last time, at least in regards to watching Louisville men's basketball.

I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity to attend basketball games in such an atmosphere and historical monument that is Freedom Hall. I will cherish the legend of the Hall in its 54 years of service to Louisville, and I will forever cherish my 20 plus years of memories that I gained there.

Last call for the Hall. I enjoyed my stay and most certainly will never forget my last round with friends.

Great post! I wish I could have been there.

[countryboy]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

yeah...its still hard to believe that its "over". Probably won't fully sink in until next season when I'm driving to downtown instead of the fairgrounds to watch a game.

Good news is that Freedom Hall isn't going to be demolished. I think that would crush a lot of people here in the Louisville area, myself included.

[KG]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

What are they going to do with it?

[countryboy]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

What are they going to do with it?

high school basketball and I believe that UK is going to play there more than once a year.

Also, still a host for State Fair concerts, concerts in general, tractor pulls, amongst other things.

[BAMJ6]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

The good thing that the Big East did in having all 16 teams in NY is they separated 9-16 in having to win the tourney to make the NCAA's

8 is the max the BE will get

ND is safe for now but is the only team that can still be exchanged by either USF or Seton Hall

[KG]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM
Greg Monroe, Georgetown, C, So., 6-11, 247, New Orleans, La.
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame, F, Sr., 6-8, 255, Schererville, Ind.
Dominique Jones, USF, G, Jr., 6-4, 205, Lake Wales, Fla.
Wes Johnson, Syracuse, F, Jr., 6-7, 205, Corsicana, Texas
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, Sr., 6-2, 190, Herndon, Va. *
Da’Sean Butler, West Virginia, F, Sr., 6-7, 225, Newark, N.J.
ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM
Austin Freeman, Georgetown, G, Jr., 6-4, 237, Mitchelville, Md.
Lazar Hayward, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-6, 225, Buffalo, N.Y.
Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh, G, So., 6-2, 190, Scotch Plains, N.J.
Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, G, Jr., 6-5, 185, Bronx, N.Y.
Andy Rautins, Syracuse, G, Sr., 6-5, 195, Jamesville, N.Y.
ALL-BIG EAST THIRD TEAM
Jerome Dyson, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Potomac, Md.
Kemba Walker, Connecticut, G, So., 6-1, 172, Bronx, N.Y.
Samardo Samuels, Louisville, F, So., 6-9, 260, Trelawny, Jamaica
Corey Fisher, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-1, 200, Bronx, N.Y.
Devin Ebanks, West Virginia, F, So., 6-9, 210, Long Island City, N.Y.
BIG EAST HONORABLE MENTION
Jimmy Butler, Marquette, F, Jr., 6-6, 215, Tomball, Texas
Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame, F, Jr., 6-8, 232, Unionville, Conn.
Jamine Peterson, Providence, F, So., 6-6, 230, Brooklyn, N.Y.
BIG EAST ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati, G, Fr., 6-5, 210, Brooklyn, N.Y. *
Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut, F/C, Fr., 6-9, 240, Lowell, Mass.
Vincent Council, Providence, G, Fr., 6-2, 180, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dane Miller, Rutgers, F, Fr., 6-7, 210, Henrietta, N.Y. *
Brandon Triche, Syracuse, G, Fr., 6-4, 198, Jamesville, N.Y.
Maalik Wayns, Villanova, G, Fr., 6-1, 185, Philadelphia, Pa.

[ehh]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Tournament week is here, baby! My favorite event in all of sports, nothing beats this puppy @ the Garden.

Tomorrow's games...

#16 DePaul vs #9 USF
#13 St. John's vs #12 Connecticut
#10 Seton Hall vs #15 Providence
#11 Cincinnati vs #14 Rutgers

Some craptacular games on Tuesday as usual, my predictions in bold.

My sleeper team is USF, I think they will knock of Georgetown to earn a bid to the Big Dance.

My pick to win the whole thing is Pitt, just something about that team and Dixon that I like this week.