The Friday of Championship Week, otherwise known as Selection Sunday Eve-Eve, holds significant importance in the world of college basketball. It is a day where elite teams compete for victory and bubble teams fight for inclusion. The games commence early and conclude late, making it one of the most exhilarating days in the sport.
Today promises to be no different.
The Purdue-Michigan State matchup will kick off proceedings at noon, while the Colorado State-New Mexico game will not conclude until approximately 14 hours later. In between, fans will be treated to a series of thrilling encounters. However, the highlight of the day will undeniably be at Madison Square Garden, just before sunset over the Hudson River, when UConn and St. John’s take the court for the first of two Big East Tournament semifinals. Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer Rick Pitino will be on one sideline, future Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer Dan Hurley on the other. It comes as no surprise that this is the most sought-after ticket in American sports tonight.
Joel Soriano, the center for St. John’s, expressed his enthusiasm by stating, “Playing Friday night at Madison Square Garden, there’s no better feeling. There’s no other tournament bigger than the Big East Tournament.” The atmosphere is electric, and the palpable anticipation as St. John’s prepares to face UConn is undeniable.
St. John’s remarkable ascent to the Big East Tournament semifinals is nothing short of extraordinary. The Red Storm have made significant progress since enduring a three-game losing streak just a month ago, prompting Pitino to refer to his first season back in the Big East as the “most unenjoyable experience of my lifetime.” However, since then, the Red Storm have experienced a turnaround, recording six consecutive victories, including two Quadrant 1 wins. Consequently, they find themselves in the Big East Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2000. Nevertheless, they face a significant challenge as the 9.5-point underdog against UConn, a formidable contender in the tournament.
In the realm of college basketball rankings, Purdue remains at the No. 1 spot for the 24th consecutive day, closely followed by Houston at No. 3. These two, along with UConn, are assured of being the top three seeds (in some order) in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. However, the fourth No. 1 seed is yet to be determined, with North Carolina and Tennessee emerging as strong candidates at this crucial stage.
Upon reviewing the updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings, notable teams such as Iowa State, Arizona, and Baylor continue to demonstrate their prowess and make significant advancements.
As the college basketball season reaches its peak, every game holds heightened intensity and significance. The ultimate victor in this thrilling tournament remains uncertain. However, one thing is certain – basketball fans are in for an extraordinary treat as the competition intensifies and the race to the championship becomes even more thrilling.