The Notre Dame Basketball programs played their last games as members of the Big East conference last week. Social Foundations of Coaching student Tom VanSlochem comments.
On Friday night, the Fighting Irish fell to the
Louisville Cardinals in the Big East Championship Semifinals. After the loss
Mike Brey told the media, “I’m thrilled that we played in the semis in such a
magical night here. It’s a little bit of unfinished business, but we’ll get
over it quickly and get ready for next week.” Notre Dame started off the
tournament with a great win over Rutgers and an upset of No. 12 Marquette in
the quarterfinals. However, the Irish couldn’t get into a rhythm against
Louisville – committing 16 turnovers and shooting 36.5 percent overall. While this
was the third straight year Notre Dame has lost to Louisville in the Big East
semifinals, it was their fourth straight semifinal appearance. The loss was
also Notre Dame’s final game as a member of the Big East, with the team moving
to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.
"I
can't say enough about the Big East. I don't think it's really hit me
yet," Mike Brey said, following the game. "The Big East has kind of
made me. I've always said I've been as proud of being a Big East guy as I am a
Notre Dame guy. We'll miss that." Brey was not the only head coach who said
a few words about the demise of the Big East. Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Rick
Pitino (Louisville), and John Thompson III (Georgetown) also shared the
sentiment that the end of the Big East was bittersweet. “It’s sad for me
because I was there at the start [1979] when they put the league together,”
said Boeheim. Thompson, longtime friend and rival of Boeheim, said, “Change is
here. But the Big East is something that I know, that we know, and it’s going
to be missed.”
The 2013 Big East Championship Tournament marks the end of the Big
East as we know it. Next season, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse will join
the ACC and the Catholic Seven – Georgetown, DePaul, Marquette, Villanova,
Seton Hall, Providence, and St. John’s – will form a new conference under the
Big East name. The remaining members of the current Big East are still trying
to work out the details for the 2013-2014 season. Nevertheless, Irish fans
should look forward to the upcoming season in the ACC with its high level of
competition and exciting matchups.
