Tremendous column. Saw my share of BIG EAST games all season long and all of the tournament LIVE at MSG. The NCAA basketball committee picked the right three teams (and no more). Seton Hall proved to be the team eliminated when NC State stole their ACC championship and earned the auto bid. So be it. St. John's and Providence were not good enough, and St. John's had key losses to Dayton, BC, Seton Hall twice (and the Michigan game mentioned which was at home floor of MSG early on). The Michigan, Dayton and BC games mattered, not only to selection committee but to the team as a whole. Pitino blowing up after loss to The Hall (at Islanders' joint) did NOT help at all when Selection Sat/Sunday came along.
Tremendous column. Saw my share of BIG EAST games all season long and all of the tournament LIVE at MSG. The NCAA basketball committee picked the right three teams (and no more). Seton Hall proved to be the team eliminated when NC State stole their ACC championship and earned the auto bid. So be it. St. John's and Providence were not good enough, and St. John's had key losses to Dayton, BC, Seton Hall twice (and the Michigan game mentioned which was at home floor of MSG early on). The Michigan, Dayton and BC games mattered, not only to selection committee but to the team as a whole. Pitino blowing up after loss to The Hall (at Islanders' joint) did NOT help at all when Selection Sat/Sunday came along.