This is the first stand alone women's college basketball game in the Garden since December 16th, 2023 when St. John's played Villanova and according to A1 research perhaps only the second ever. Before that there were only special event doubleheaders specifically the Maggie Dixon Classic which ended in 2015. At nearby Barclay's Center there is the Shark Beauty Doubleheader in December but this is the Garden tonight. Whether or not the history is accurate, this is a very big deal.
MSG is the Mecca of college basketball, the home of the NIT since forever, and the venue of the Big East men's tournament since 1983. It was here that the college game really took off with Saturday afternoon doubleheaders with the local powerhouses like CCNY and NYU, now D3 teams, and the usual suspects like Manhattan, Fordham, St. John's and others.
So yes, this is a bit of a milestone. I will be there as will several other BYers based upon prior posts. The game has a late start at 7:30 pm which cries out for dinner before and naturally, we picked a steakhouse, just like we would for the BE tourney. The women's game has arrived in many ways and this is just a logical progression of its popularity and draw.
I know there is the point of view which thinks a close game tonight would be very helpful to the cause but I want just the opposite. A definitive demonstration by UCONN of why the womens' game is actually a superior product. The passing, cutting, ball movement, offenses, lunatic pressing defense, and a showcase for the country's best all around player in Sarah and its best shooter in Azzi.
Geno once said that when he saw the late 60s and early 70s Knicks play, he realized that is the way the game should be played. You see a lot of that in the sometimes over-unselfishness of this team and so it's very appropriate that the defending national champions are playing here tonight in the home of the Knicks.
So enjoy the game but be aware of the much bigger context it is taking place in. Another brick in the wall.
MSG is the Mecca of college basketball, the home of the NIT since forever, and the venue of the Big East men's tournament since 1983. It was here that the college game really took off with Saturday afternoon doubleheaders with the local powerhouses like CCNY and NYU, now D3 teams, and the usual suspects like Manhattan, Fordham, St. John's and others.
So yes, this is a bit of a milestone. I will be there as will several other BYers based upon prior posts. The game has a late start at 7:30 pm which cries out for dinner before and naturally, we picked a steakhouse, just like we would for the BE tourney. The women's game has arrived in many ways and this is just a logical progression of its popularity and draw.
I know there is the point of view which thinks a close game tonight would be very helpful to the cause but I want just the opposite. A definitive demonstration by UCONN of why the womens' game is actually a superior product. The passing, cutting, ball movement, offenses, lunatic pressing defense, and a showcase for the country's best all around player in Sarah and its best shooter in Azzi.
Geno once said that when he saw the late 60s and early 70s Knicks play, he realized that is the way the game should be played. You see a lot of that in the sometimes over-unselfishness of this team and so it's very appropriate that the defending national champions are playing here tonight in the home of the Knicks.
So enjoy the game but be aware of the much bigger context it is taking place in. Another brick in the wall.
