The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

[Cusefan]

I will start it off with some great Syracuse news:

Syracuse University planned on opening the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

But it wasn’t until the man whose name adorns the exterior wall of SU’s new $19 million practice facility had swished the first shot ever taken in the building that the Melo Center was truly open for business.

Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA championship in his one and only year on campus, christened his eponymously named building on Thursday afternoon. The gathering at the Melo Center included Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, SU women’s coach Quentin Hillsman, members of the men’s and women’s teams, plus a hundred or so donors and invited guests.

“It’s a wonderful building,” Anthony, now a member of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, said. “That’s the one thing I can say. I would never in a million years think I would be sitting here today, six or seven years later after winning a national championship, doing the ribbon-cutting for my building.”

After the perfunctory speeches from Gross, Boeheim and Hillsman, Anthony snipped the bright orange ribbon leading to the building’s main entrace. Then the entire crowd shuffled into the Melo Center and lined one of the building’s two full-sized basketball courts.

Matt Park, SU’s radio voice and the day’s master of ceremonies, suggested that Gerry McNamara, Anthony’s former teammate who is now a graduate assistant on Boeheim’s staff, set up Anthony for the gym’s ceremonial first shot. McNamara obliged with a bounce pass to Anthony, who effortlessly flicked a short jumper that snapped the still-stiff net.

Syracuse’s new practice facility bears Anthony’s name because it was a $3 million donation from Anthony that kick-started the project a little over two years ago. Anthony’s gift represents one of the largest individual donations to Syracuse University’s athletic department. It’s also believed to be one of the largest by a current professional athlete to the school they attended.

“His gift was the impetus,” Gross said.

Boeheim’s wife, Juli, initially asked Anthony to back the project.

“That was a no-brainer,” Anthony said.

The Melo Center features two full practice courts, a strength and conditioning room, state-of-the art athletic training suite, offices for both coaching staffs, and complete locker-room facilities.

Gross noted that the opening of the Melo Center will also enable the university to convert Manley Field House into an indoor turf field that will accommodate 16 other teams.

Boeheim said the Melo Center’s already impacted recruiting.

“It’s what we’ve really needed for a while,” Boeheim said. “I’ve been in practice facilities that aren’t as beautiful that cost the same that ours did. As a practice facility, it will help us get better. As a beautiful facility, it helps recruiting.”

Anthony’s appearance in Syracuse on Thursday was actually a couple weeks ahead of the actual move-in date for the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Still, the Syracuse players — both past and present — talked excitedly about the expected benefits of the Melo Center.

“I saw when it was just a slab of cement outside and now in a couple weeks we should be in there,” Syracuse junior forward Wes Johnson said. “I think that’ll help us a lot. If somebody wants to get shots up at midnight. If we have a rough game or we want to go in there and hang out, it’s open for us anytime day or night. I’m excited about it.”

John Wallace, who as a senior led Syracuse to the 1996 NCAA title game, came to Thursday’s festivities. He said he looked forward to playing pickup games with current and former Syracuse players in the new building.

“It’s incredible. This is absolutely incredible,” Wallace said. “What it does is it brings our practice facility on par with the Dome being the best place to play. Now we’ve got the best place to practice.”

Anthony anticipated seeing the Melo Center again this season.

“It’s not really going to sink in until Syracuse is playing on a national televised game and they do a special on the Carmelo Anthony Center,” Anthony said. “I can’t wait to see that on a Big Monday game.”

“When they do it, I’m going to make sure it’s loud on the TV screen in the locker room.”

[superjames1992]

I hope this is West Virginia's year to finally break through and compete for a Big East Title, and hopefully win it.

[Cusefan]

I have been looking at the SU schedule, and the amount of games on ESPN is Insane, at least Half of SU's games are televised nationally.

[superjames1992]

Less than a month until West Virginia's first scrimmage against Longwood! Just over a month until WVU's first game against Loyola College!

Probably won't get to see the Mountaineers on TV until November 26th against Long Beach State in the 76 Classic on ESPNU.

[Cusefan]

I was really looking foward to going to Syracuse's Midnight Madness this year but I'm gonna be in NYC, bummer.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Hopefully Cincinnati can make some noise in the Big East this year. We've been improving every year under Cronin. I think we can get our 1st NCAA tourney birth since 05 this year.

[Cusefan]

Syracuse's Midnight Madness has sold Out appearently. Kind of odd

[NYJets]

Sick picture from UConn first night: