Wanted to post this here so it doesn't turn into a pissing match on the other board. What do you guys think about this?
This week for the first time since I've been following the team (I go back to 1999), I felt like we have officially arrived as a legitimate program. The week started with a bid-clinching win at Butler last Saturday, a game most Seton Hall teams over the past 20 years would never, ever have won. We looked good doing it, too. Then we put forth a great performance against Marquette on Thursday to begin the quest to defend our Big East title.
But last night...even in a loss I had a feeling I never had before. I felt that we are now a program to be reckoned with. I didn't have this feeling last year. Last year I felt most outsiders thought we were a nice story, but a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder. I think getting to the NCAA Tournament this season and playing the defending national champions to the buzzer on Friday night at MSG proved to the nation that we are legit.
In many ways, this year validates what we did last year and sets the foundation for continued growth. We were all over television last night and it wasn't just, "Look at Seton Hall trying to pull the upset." The way the media spoke was as we are a top program, on par with Villanova. Almost like everyone expected us to be in that position. Seton Hall-Villanova went head to head with Duke-UNC across the city and came out with a more competitive and thrilling game, getting tons of coverage out of it. Even ESPN transitioned right from the Duke-UNC highlight to our game on SportsCenter after the Big 12 game ended. I felt that, even in a loss, we have officially arrived.
The season isn't over yet. Let's keep building and get a couple wins this week!
This week for the first time since I've been following the team (I go back to 1999), I felt like we have officially arrived as a legitimate program. The week started with a bid-clinching win at Butler last Saturday, a game most Seton Hall teams over the past 20 years would never, ever have won. We looked good doing it, too. Then we put forth a great performance against Marquette on Thursday to begin the quest to defend our Big East title.
But last night...even in a loss I had a feeling I never had before. I felt that we are now a program to be reckoned with. I didn't have this feeling last year. Last year I felt most outsiders thought we were a nice story, but a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder. I think getting to the NCAA Tournament this season and playing the defending national champions to the buzzer on Friday night at MSG proved to the nation that we are legit.
In many ways, this year validates what we did last year and sets the foundation for continued growth. We were all over television last night and it wasn't just, "Look at Seton Hall trying to pull the upset." The way the media spoke was as we are a top program, on par with Villanova. Almost like everyone expected us to be in that position. Seton Hall-Villanova went head to head with Duke-UNC across the city and came out with a more competitive and thrilling game, getting tons of coverage out of it. Even ESPN transitioned right from the Duke-UNC highlight to our game on SportsCenter after the Big 12 game ended. I felt that, even in a loss, we have officially arrived.
The season isn't over yet. Let's keep building and get a couple wins this week!
