The Aura of Madison Square Garden

There was nothing like playing at the Garden back in the 80’s. The place was electric and there was a Buzz about the place especially when it was Big East Tourney time. You could feel it even walking in the street , people were always amped up for the tournament. The Big East held a luncheon to kick off the tourney where every school had 2 players at each table for lunch. You got to know everyone, really cool way to develop friendships that have lasted until today. The lone exception was the GTown guys, they weren’t allowed to talk with anyone at their tables, heads down. That’s the Way Coach Thompson wanted it. It was an Us against Them attitude . It gave those guys an edge they called it Hoya Paranoia ! It was tough on those guys they had friends on other teams or relatives and they couldn’t even look at at them , those guys were all Business. It worked for them though, that and the fact that they played Really Hard and in Your Face D really helped too lol. There was a guy in an Orange sweater that would give me the business all the time . He’d yell “Hey EEEversin, You gonna play tonight ?”. He killed me . Senior year I see the guy on the concourse and He yells "Hey EEEVERSIN" without missing a beat I go "hey pal. If your gonna break my balls at least pronounce my name right it’s Everson!" He thought that was great and bought Wyatt Maker and I a Coke . Turns out he was a good guy and a BIG CUSE fan! The Garden and the Big East tourney was some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing this Great Game ! Can’t wait for it to Start ! Any of my guys who’ve played in the Big East tournament share a story or some of your favorite memories. Even if your team is no longer in the Big East!