Great article from ESPN columnist Dana O’Neil about the BIG EAST proving itself worthy of the title, “The Greatest Conference Ever.”

Good quote from Buzz about the benefit from playing so many good teams in the article:
“You play so many unique styles that I don’t think it hurts you,” Marquette coach Buzz Williams said. “And it’s not just games, it’s the practices. Think about how many practices you get preparing for all of these unique styles. There really isn’t much we’re going to see in the NCAA tournament that we haven’t already seen in the Big East.”

This is the first portion of our show from Monday. Brad and Ritchie anchor. Brian Henry reports from the Annex after Selection Sunday. Buzz, Jerel, Wes, Lazar, and Jimmy talk. Plus, Chris Cwik, Brian Hoffman, Michael Wottreng, and Todd Warner break down Marquette’s seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

After watching 3 of their BIG EAST counterparts become #1 seeds, the Golden Eagles became a 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They will travel to Boise, Idaho for an 11:30 tip against Utah St.

This, from Associated Press’s Tournament preview:
“Whether Utah State’s Blue Bull mascot will also make it to Boise to square off with the Marquette Golden Eagle is still an unknown; the bull got in a fight with New Mexico State’s cowboy at the conference tournament and was suspended for the final.”

It should be interesting to see how that plays out.

3-seeded Missouri is Marquette’s likely opponent in round 2, pending any upsets.

Check back in tonight, for our NCAA preview show.

Our good friend Jay Bilas visited with us at Madison Square Garden after the BIG EAST Tournament.

Game Recap

Reactions to Nova Loss & Looking Ahead

I was recently asked to become a member of the Palestra.net College Sports Network. I look forward to staying on as a member of the MUTV communityfor the next two and a half years while simaltaneously using this great opportunity for invaluable experience.

MUTV’s first reports from New York came today after the game:

GAME RECAP

INTERVIEW WITH BUZZ

PLAYING WITHOUT DOM

We have been at Madison Square Garden for about an hour here, watching the DePaul Blue Demons in their quest for win #2 in the BIG EAST season…after dropping their first 18. But enough about them, we’re here and gearing up for Marquette to take on the upset-minded St. John’s Red Storm. They took down Georgetown last night, and much like Marquette, they got 60 of their 64 points from their starters. The last time these teams played, on Valentine’s Day, Dominic James had 14 points. Jimmy Butler will need to contribute to the action even more than usual for a Marquette win. Against St. John’s, in 22 minutes of action, he dropped 9 points.

It will be interesting to see how Jerel McNeal comes out today. His “struggles” since ‘Nic’s injury have been well-documented.

But have no fear, the All-BIG EAST 1st teamer has been here before, and has faced adversity more than once in his illustrious career.

Tipoff is set for 1 P.M. CT, and MarquetteRadio has the call.

Be sure to check out MUTVsports.com after the game for plenty of postgame video, press conferences, and reactions.

Jerel McNeal was named to the 2008-09 All-BIG EAST team Sunday, joining Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody, Pittsburgh’s Sam Young and DeJuan Blair, Louisville’s Terrence Williams, and Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet.

Wes Matthews was named to the Second Team All-BIG EAST squad, along with Connecticut’s A.J. Price, Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn, Villanova’s Dante Cunningham, and West Virginia’s Da’Sean Butler.

Oddly enough, after improving his game in nearly every statistical category since last season, junior Marquette forward Lazar Hayward was not honored. Last year, Lazar made the All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention team.