I admit that I have a major flaw as a sports fan. I tend to live in the past. I miss a two-team, no divisional playoff, World Series. I also miss many of the old fieldhouses and college basketball arenas.
So forgive me if I admit, I will miss Big East basketball. I have been taking a peek at some of the December games involving WVU’s former conference foes, and I have been impressed with what I have seen.
Syracuse is a top-five team again. This Louisville team may be the best Rick Pitino has had. St. Johns, Cincinnati and Marquette are fun to watch. Did you see what Big East Georgetown did to Big 12 Texas in the Jimmy V Classic? The Hoyas crushed the Longhorns 64-41.
Heck, I even like this Connecticut team. That was not the case when Jim Calhoun was coaching there. I though of Calhoun as a bit of a shyster and thought the program was dirty. But, I am impressed witih Kevin Ollie. He was one of the classier men in the NBA when he played and he is easy to root for.
I realize the Big East is now what it used to be. WVU is gone. Syracuse and Pitt are leaving. But, I will miss seeing Big East-caliber teams come into the Coliseum this winter.
The Big 12 is fine .I know the move had to be made and I am all for it. But, allow me some time to long for Big East basketball. The Big 12 is basicall an 8 team conference. Let’s face it, Texas Tech and TCU are irrelevant. The Big 12 will be good, but it is not what we have seen, in terms of caliber of play, the last 15 years.