Big Ten Tournament Thursday - Moments

Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more.  Big Ten Tournament Thursday is here again. 

It’s my favorite day of the entire basketball season. Because of my familiarity with the league as someone who at least somewhat covered basketball in this conference for the better part of the last decade, this tournament means a lot to me. I’ve simply grown to love it. 

I feel like it’s done nothing but grow in popularity as well. I remember the tournament in its relative infancy when we won our first one in Chicago in 2003.   At that time, the whole thing just seemed like an afterthought compared to the regular season. 

But I compare the rather mundane experience in 2003 to the full on explosion of emotion in the building from the players, coaches, and fans when we won it in Minneapolis last season. This thing MEANS something now - especially now that the regular season championship is so diluted by the unbalanced schedules.  Those banners carry some legit weight.

And once again, I am thrilled to be here for it.  Of course, it’s gotta start somewhere, and for me it starts on Thursday - or at least it has for the last five seasons.  Big Ten Wednesday is kind of sad and a little bit desperate, but Thursday?  Thursday brings out everything.  Teams trying to build their tournament resume.  Teams fighting to climb over to the right side of the bubble.  Teams just trying to extend their season for one more precious game.  Thursday is where the emotion comes calling.

Admittedly, I prefer BTT Thursday when Illinois is not involved, because it’s just pure unadulterated basketball Nirvana without any stress whatsoever. Alas, we are playing this evening.  We get an Iowa team who beat OSU last night - effectively knocking the Buckeyes out of the NCAA Tournament.  The Hawkeyes are riding the  momentum of that win and also playing to possibly save their embattled coach. So despite this little bit of stress added to the day, I’m full on ready for 10 hours of basketball.

I mean it’s going to be 75° today, and yet I’m choosing to spend the entirety of the day indoors. I mean, I could go play 36 holes of golf, but I instead choose to be nestled snugly in the warm embrace of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. And as I’ve done before, I’m inviting you along with me.  A little bit of travelogue and a whole lot of hoops.

Here is Big Ten Tournament Thursday moment by moment…