On a typically packed college basketball Saturday, I spent several hours in the afternoon inside Conte Forum, where Boston College was hosting Syracuse. I was there in my role as color analyst for The CW Network. Several inches of snow had fallen that morning and I could feel the ice under the floor beneath us, which had been used by the men’s hockey team the night before during a loss to Merrimack. The shooting between the teams was cold as well, as one would expect for a pair of teams that were locked in a five-way tie for 12th place in the ACC.
Midway through the second half, as Syracuse was trying to chip away at Boston College’s lead, I told our viewing audience, “Man, these guys are playing hard. You can tell they’re tired of losing.” Indeed, they gave it their all as the Orange’s offense came to life down the stretch, enabling them to erase an eight-point deficit and win, 79-71. I realize it wasn’t the most glamorous matchup of the day, but to those players, those coaches and those fans who packed the place, it meant a lot. It meant a lot to me, too. I prepared and tried to call it like it was going to be the most important game ever played.
Seeing those players fight so hard was a great reminder of what college sports is all about. Sure, they have NBA dreams, but I think most of them know they’ll never get there. The chance to compete with their friends and teammates was something I could tell they treasured. We often forget there are 362 teams in Division I and hundreds more in Divisions II and III. Every week there are thousands of men’s and women’s college basketball games being played around the country, most of which include players you’ve never heard of and never will hear from again. That’s okay, because the games matter a lot to them. As someone who has covered this sport longer than any of them have been alive (I did the math), I’m glad that’s the case.
We’ve got another loaded Monday for you, my Hoops HQ family. I hope you have a great day.
—Seth
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