The Beast was great because almost every game was against a rival or at least someone to whom you would hate to lose. That would take years to rebuild if it is even possible.
I will just be happy to see us at MSG again in a game that matters. But it won't feel like the old days.
I disagree. Wait until we have played a couple of years at Creighton and Butler (as soon as you can have sell outs again, anyway), in addition to Providence (have an intense dislike for their fans after doing a couple of games there for WHUS back 30 years ago), Villanova and Georgetown. Heck, Seton Hall fans already hate us for stealing Sanogo right out from under them. Don't believe me? Just go check out their message board.
When we get beat - and no matter how good we are, it will happen - and passionate Creighton, Butler, Villanova or other fans are whooping it up and talking trash to our boys. The passion that was lacking in literally 90%+ of the AAC games will be there most nights, and certainly at those venues every time we play there.
That will translate to our wanting revenge in subsequent meetings... and the Big East Tournament games being electric. Don't forget, we had zero rivalry with Louisville until they came into the Big East. It didn't take long to grow an ardent dislike for them and that shyster Pitino (great basketball coach, bag as a human being).
If you still want to stand by your view, just go back and watch the last several years of the Big East Tournament.
EXHIBIT A: The 2019 BET Final between Seton Hall and Villanova. MSG was packed, and raucus right to the end. I remember distinctly feeling how much I missed that while watching that game... how much it sucked not being involved in that type of atmosphere.
Oh, yes... that old feeling will come back, particularly once we are serious competitors for the conference title. And much quicker than you are thinking is possible.