Projo Sports Blog

By The Associated Press

Mike Tranghese, in his 20th and final season as Big East commissioner, saw his league become the first to have nine teams ranked in a poll during the season and to have three chosen as No. 1 seeds for the NCAA tournament. A former chairman of the NCAA tournament selection committee, Tranghese oversaw the expansion of the Big East to its current 16 teams.

On Monday, he discussed the Big East's exciting season.

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Q. At the start of the season many felt the Big East could break its own record of NCAA bids with as many as 10. Did you think that way?

A. At the beginning of the season I wasn't really focused on the number of teams we could get in. But I did have some really strong doubts, because I don't think I properly evaluated how strong we were at the top. I thought maybe we would get a single No. 1 (seed), but we proved so strong at the top. And none of the teams got worn out by the competition.

Q. What was the point when you realized how good the teams at the top were?

A. I thought I had a good handle on how good Connecticut and Pittsburgh were by the beginning of the conference season. I thought Louisville was still a question, because they really struggled in December. But they seemed to get better and better into February, and that's when I realized how good Louisville was in addition to other two. I always knew Villanova was good as was Marquette, and they obviously suffered with Dominic James' injury. And even though Syracuse struggled most of the year they took advantage of the tournament.

Q. Were you ever concerned there were too many good teams at the top and that would adversely affect the rest of the league?

A. If you're good enough, you'll find a way to win and do what you have to do. Seven teams in the NCAA tournament is good enough. The others didn't do enough, and I'm OK with that. We're still in a competitive business even though we're a league. That the league is too deep and too strong is an excuse. You can't have it both ways.

Q. Were you worried as the Big East tournament arrived that it could be trouble for the top teams and only hurt them a week before the NCAA tournament?

A. I never thought about what the results would be. You can only hope for great games and great competition, and we were given a treasure that lasted six overtimes. It was beyond anybody's wildest dreams. You never know when something special is going to happen, and we saw kids play beyond whatever was expected.

Q. Since the Big East tournament ended on Saturday night, did you spend all day Sunday thinking about the possibility of three No. 1 seeds?

A. I didn't really give it a lot of thought. I knew it would be possible and a close call regarding Memphis. But I knew that with Connecticut and Memphis it wouldn't make much difference, because I assumed the committee would bracket them together. The only nice thing about it is that we earned three No. 1s, and that has never been done. Ultimately, though, you're judged by the what you do in the tournament.

Q. Are you worried about any of the teams in the NCAA tournament because of the level and length of play in the conference tournament?

A. The only time I ever worry is when a team is asked to play four days in a row. I know Syracuse played a lot of basketball but unlike when they did it in 2006 -- Gerry McNamara did get hurt and never recovered and they went out in the first round of the NCAA tournament. This particular Syracuse team is healthy and got lucky enough not to have play until Friday.

Q. How rough was last week for you since it was your last Big East tournament?

A. I was good until the halftime ceremony on Saturday night. That got to me a little bit as I realized it would be my last time on the Madison Square Garden floor. I tried not to focus on myself all week because of the games. Once I got through the halftime I moved on and enjoyed the game and particularly the postgame ceremony. I was so pleased that when Jonny Flynn of Syracuse was named the MVP the first player out to congratulate him was Terrence Williams of Louisville. Kids get it right, and we adults tend to mess it up. When I gave Flynn the trophy I thanked him. He turned and said 'I want to thank you for everything you've done that allowed me and my teammates to play in a tournament in a place like this.' He blew me away. That's a pretty special way to end everything.

Q. What will the NCAA tournament be like as you follow seven teams scattered around the country?

A. I will somehow get to see all our teams in the tournament. I'm the commissioner, and I'll watch and enjoy them all. That's what I'm supposed to do.

 Tags  Big East Providence College

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