Splitsville For Big East?

Could the nets that hold all 17 Big East programs be cut in the future? UConn head coach Jim Calhoun thinks it's a foregone conclusion. (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

The induction of Texas Christian as the seventeenth institution in the Big East Conference effective next July has a myriad of effects on what has come to be regarded as the strongest conference in college basketball. For instance, the league's 18-game schedule will either lose one of its three home-and-home series or perhaps expand to as many as twenty games. While there are some out there who embrace the idea of the rich getting richer, there are others who are outspoken critics of expanding membership into an already expansive league that the Big East hopes to add an eighteenth member to in the near future.

"My own personal opinion, and I won't probably see this: In the next couple of years, I think you'll see a separation," said UConn coach Jim Calhoun, who last month celebrated his third national championship win. "I think it's inevitable." It should be noted that Calhoun is not particularly enamored with the Big East's current state, as every year at Big East media day there is a question asked of the legendary coach that results in his belief that eighteen games versus the former sixteen-game ledger isn't exactly the best thing for the teams and players. Veteran scribe Dick "Hoops" Weiss of the New York Daily News tweeted his unfortunate agreement with Calhoun yesterday, and I will do the same here today.

The split of the Big East would best work out if the "football schools" (referred to as such since football is their highest revenue generator) broke away and formed their own league, leaving the "basketball schools" to do the same. Under that scenario, the reformed Big East (which would then become two separate conferences) would look like this:

Football schools: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, Texas Christian, West Virginia

Basketball schools: DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Notre Dame, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, Villanova

To an educated fan, this also creates a split between public and private institutions; which also brings the financial issue of basketball not bringing in enough cash to compete with the football programs into play. If you're not sure just how influential this gap between the haves and have nots of the gridiron is, just take a look at the disparity in salary between Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard, the lowest-paid head man in Big East basketball; and UConn's Jim Calhoun, the highest-paid employee in the state of Connecticut. Or, you can watch the video below.

Calhoun also thinks the prospect of the basketball schools adding some other mid-major programs to their own conference is a distinct possibility, and I agree with that as well. With the eight mentioned above, one could conceivably picture another four schools joining up to form a new conference. Here are four schools that would be best served jumping ship:

Xavier: Aside from Temple, they're the second-most recognizable institution in the Atlantic 10, and a private university just like its prospective new brethren. Not only that, but Xavier is one of the more consistently successful mid-majors in Division I; and coach Chris Mack's Musketeers are capable of making a deep NCAA Tournament run every season. The move would add to an already intense rivalry with intra-city adversary Cincinnati, a feud that comes to a head every year in the "Crosstown Shootout."

St. Joseph's: Assuming Villanova decides not to move its football program up from the Football Championship Subdivision, (Division 1-AA for my fellow old timers out there) it's only natural that another Philadelphia school joins the fray. Even if the Wildcats do cross over and side with the football schools, another Philly program like Drexel or LaSalle could come in; giving added emphasis and new meaning to the already storied and fierce Big 5 battles.

Hofstra: For much the same reasons as St. Joe's: A New York school that gives the prospective league a third presence in the nation's largest media market to go with St. John's and Seton Hall. The Pride (Flying Dutchmen for all my fellow AARP members) have been a big fish in a small pond for quite some time now in the CAA, and even longer before that back when Jay Wright was winning America East championships with Speedy Claxton and Norman Richardson.

George Mason: What better way to make a splash than by adding the team that redefined Cinderella. Mason even has some local blood to force itself into the picture: New head coach Paul Hewitt is a Long Island product, having grown up in Westbury; and picked up two players with metropolitan area ties: Anali Okoloji, who recently transferred from Seton Hall, and 2011 commit Corey Edwards from Christ The King High School in Middle Village.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what could be a watershed moment in the history of college basketball as we know it. Chime in via the comment box or on Twitter to share your vision.

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End Of An Era In Harlem As Rice Closes

Prior to joining Steve Lavin's staff as director of basketball operations at St. John's, Maurice Hicks transformed Rice into a CHSAA powerhouse. The Harlem high school announced its closure yesterday due to declining enrollment and increasing operation costs. (Photo courtesy of New York Daily News)

If you're from New York City, grew up in the late 1980s and throughout the '90s like I did, and follow CHSAA basketball; you'll automatically recognize Rice High School as one of the perennial dominant forces in city hoops, be it public school or private school. That's why it's still a shock 24 hours after the Harlem institution announced its decision to close. In other words, we truly bid farewell to a legend.

To honor the legacy of Rice basketball, we'll pay tribute to those that graced the green and gold colors of the Raiders by ranking the ten greatest players in Rice history similar to what we did with the college hoops bucket list in an earlier post.

Special Recognition: Maurice Hicks

Any mention of Rice basketball has to include its most decorated head man and former alumnus, one that spent 16 years turning a program once left for dead into one of the premier prep teams in the nation, let alone the city. The only coach in New York City to win both a CHSAA championship and a PSAL title, (with Brandeis in 1992) Hicks was responsible for a Who's Who of future college stars, some of whom will get their own tributes in this space later. Now the director of basketball operations at St. John's University, Hicks is still a profound influence on his former players and in the game.

1) Kemba Walker

This 2008 Rice graduate (photo courtesy of New York Daily News) stands to become Hicks' first NBA player in recent memory after walking away from the college game a winner last month when he led UConn on an unforgettable run to the national championship after finishing 9-9 in Big East play. Walker could go as high as third overall in next month's draft and is likely a Top 10 selection, and it all began for the Bronx native a few years ago in the heart of Harlem.

2) Andre Barrett

A lot of people forget about this once-elite prospect (photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated) who was the guy everyone wanted back in 2000. Barrett left Hicks' tutelage after four years to sign with Seton Hall in a battle that saw Barrett turn down an offer from UCLA and then-coach Steve Lavin, now Hicks' boss at St. John's. The flashy point guard unfortunately never replicated his prep success at Seton Hall or professionally, but still stands as one of the better players the Raiders had on their roster.

3) Felipe Lopez

Another local legend (photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated) that eclipsed his already impressive stature in high school by becoming the third-leading scorer at St. John's while playing under Brian Mahoney and Fran Fraschilla. Just like Barrett, Lopez didn't have the greatest success in the NBA, but still had a solid career in the grand scheme of things.

4) Edgar Sosa

Shown here with college coach Rick Pitino, (photo courtesy of ESPN) this guard has just about seen it all. After his stellar career in Harlem, Sosa carved out a four-year tenure at Louisville that saw him nearly transfer at Pitino's urging only to use that as motivation to ultimately become one of the more underrated backcourt members in the Big East.

5) Keydren Clark

Hardly anyone would have guessed that this 5-11 dynamo (photo courtesy of USA Today) would go on to win a pair of scoring titles across the Hudson River at St. Peter's College after averaging just 13 points per contest under Hicks while in high school.

6) Dean Meminger

A selection sure to rekindle some memories among older members of the Daly Dose fan base, Meminger (photo courtesy of New York Times) went on to enjoy a moderately successful career under Al McGuire at Marquette before coming back home to win an NBA championship with the Knicks in 1973. Younger fans and media members may also recognize his son, Dean Jr., from his work as a reporter for New York 1.

7) Kenny Satterfield

Most look at Kenny (photo courtesy of Cincinnati Enquirer) and see a case of "what could have been" after a promising career with the Bearcats alongside former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Kenyon Martin didn't fare so well in the NBA, but what most people tend to lose in the shuffle was how highly regarded this kid was coming out of high school, where he had his pick from several different suitors before eventually settling on Bob Huggins and Cincinnati.

8) Curtis Kelly

The big man that rejuvenated his career after a transfer (photo courtesy of New York Daily News) won a city title with Hicks and the Raiders before committing to Jim Calhoun and UConn. Let's just say that didn't work out so well. Kelly capped off his college career with Frank Martin and Kansas State, helping lead the Wildcats to three NCAA Tournament appearances; including a regional final in 2010.

9) Russell Robinson

The highly touted Kansas recruit (photo courtesy of Draft Express) joins the aforementioned Kemba Walker as one of the few Rice players to win a national title after he was a part of Kansas' 2008 championship team. However, Robinson also became the latest in a long line of former Rice stars that couldn't catch a break professionally.

10) Durand Scott

Shown here with Hicks after winning a state title, (photo courtesy of New York Daily News) Scott edges out former Arizona guard Momo Jones for the final spot. Now going into his junior year at Miami, Scott should have a breakout season under new coach and fellow CHSAA product Jim Larranaga, who once upon a time played for Jack Curran at Molloy.

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Polee Jumps Ship From Lavin's Ark

Citing health of his mother, Dwayne Polee becomes latest St. John's player to transfer out of New York. (Photo courtesy of New York Daily News)

The streak continues.

For at least the seventh consecutive year, at least one member of the previous year's St. John's University men's basketball team has decided to transfer before the opening tip of the next season; as Dwayne Polee announced his decision to return home after one campaign in Queens, indicating the health of his mother as the impetus behind his departure. Polee joins Quincy Roberts as the only Johnnies to leave under head coach Steve Lavin since his arrival over a year ago, as Roberts exited the program shortly after St. John's commenced its most successful season in recent memory; one highlighted by its return to the NCAA Tournament after nine years on the other side of the bubble.

"I really enjoyed my experience (at St. John's) and I'm going to miss the staff and New York," said Polee, who averaged 4.4 points per game while starting the majority of the 33 games played by the Red Storm. "Right now, I feel it's best to be close to my family and help us get through a health issue."

Polee was Lavin's initial recruit after the coach replaced Norm Roberts, landing the California prep star just several weeks after taking the job. The versatile swingman made quite the impact in his collegiate debut, scoring a career-high 16 points in a losing effort against St. Mary's; and prematurely ended his tenure as a Johnny on just as high a note by tallying a dozen points in the Storm's NCAA Tournament loss to Gonzaga. His imminent change of scenery will leave junior guard Malik Stith as not only the sole survivor from the Roberts regime, but also as the last man standing from last year's team; as the Johnnies will start fresh with nine new recruits in a group that has been regarded as the third-best incoming class in the country, but also the youngest incarnation of the St. John's Red Storm in the program's 104-year history.

Polee has not picked a new school yet, but the Los Angeles native has been rumored to have San Diego State at the top of his list. Regardless of whether or not he will be granted immediate eligibility via the NCAA hardship rule, he would be a major and welcome addition to an Aztec squad coming off its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance a year ago. Despite not looking like a prototypical power forward, Polee's athleticism and rebounding prowess would give coach Steve Fisher an unexpected replacement for outgoing star and likely Top 10 NBA draft pick Kawhi Leonard should the former Johnny take his talents there.

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The College Hoops Bucket List

Any list of the best college basketball venues in the country has to include the "Dean Dome," better known as North Carolina's home court of the Smith Center in Chapel Hill. (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

Earlier this morning, word got out that my alma mater St. John's would be traveling to Rupp Arena in Lexington for a road meeting with Kentucky in the Johnnies' return to the SEC/Big East Invitational. After a handful of text messages exchanged between members of the Daly Dose fan base, (you guys know who you are, so no recognition is necessary) I decided to compile a list of the ten places that any die-hard college hoops fan needs to visit for a game at some point in their existence. Keep three things in mind, though: The venues I am about to mention are places that I myself have never been to as neither a fan or media member. Moreover, venues of the past such as Cole Field House and Freedom Hall will be excluded as well. Finally, this list will also not include venues shared by NBA teams; so although I believe arenas such as Madison Square Garden and the Prudential Center should be included in the college basketball experience tour, I'll limit the following to pure college courts and nothing else. So without further ado; and in no particular order, I give you:

"THE COLLEGE HOOPS BUCKET LIST"

1) The Palestra: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania and Saint Joseph's University)

Any old-school college hoops fan knows this cathedral. (Photo courtesy of ESPN) A throwback in every sense of the word, you can't have a conversation about basketball without the home of the Big 5 making its way into the discussion. Personally, it's a venue I would kill to attend either with a ticket or credential; and no one I have spoken to has ever said a negative word about the place. From what I've heard, it's an arena you have to experience firsthand to truly appreciate.

2) Dean E. Smith Center: Chapel Hill, North Carolina (University of North Carolina)

The majestic court pictured in the opening should be one of the first stops for anyone who respects the game of college basketball. All one has to do to fall in love with the "Dean Dome" is simply look around. Be it the history in the form of the many retired numbers hanging from the rafters; or the sea of Carolina blue seats, the home of the Tar Heels is as visually pleasing as it is to just sit back and watch Carolina take the court. Even those who hate Carolina would admit that Chapel Hill is an enjoyable experience if they're educated enough and have a conscience.

3) Cameron Indoor Stadium: Durham, North Carolina (Duke University)

You can't mention Carolina without also paying homage to the home of the world-famous "Cameron Crazies," (photo courtesy of ESPN) regardless of which school you root for. Duke's venerable arena may seat less than 10,000 fans, but the proximity of the crowd to the court is so close that the atmosphere is virtually unrivaled through most of college basketball. Two years ago when St. John's traveled to Durham to face the Blue Devils, my former broadcast partner Frank Qasim had the opportunity to share the call of that game on WSJU after succeeding me as sports director; and he still considers it the highlight of his young career.

4) Allen Fieldhouse: Lawrence, Kansas (Kansas University)

Arguably the toughest place in the country to play, Allen Fieldhouse (photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated) is just as venerable and majestic as it is mentally and physically taxing on both Jayhawks players and their opposition. It may be just a little intimidating for the fans as well, but that all changes after the opening tip. In addition, not many chants rival the timeless classic "Rock Chalk Jayhawk."

5) Rupp Arena: Lexington, Kentucky (University of Kentucky)

The venue (photo courtesy of ESPN) that launched this impromptu idea about five hours ago this morning when I was informed that John Calipari and Big Blue Nation would be hosting St. John's sometime in the upcoming season. Kentucky IS college basketball, and this arena is college basketball's version of the Masters: A tradition unlike any other. The players and coaches may change, but the fans and building (for now, and hopefully not ever) never will.

6) Pauley Pavilion: Los Angeles, California (University of California-Los Angeles)

Just as Lexington has become synonymous with college basketball, so too has Westwood. The perennial home to winners under John Wooden in the 1960s and '70s (photo courtesy of Orange County Register) hasn't changed much over the years. In fact, it's become more iconic as its fan base demands the same expectations year in and year out. St. John's head coach and former Bruins head man Steve Lavin had this to say about the inhabitants of Pauley last year at Big East media day: "At UCLA, if you don't deliver Final Fours and national championships on a consistent basis, someone else gets a crack at it."

7) Assembly Hall: Bloomington, Indiana (Indiana University)

Another place where the die-hard feels right at home (photo courtesy of Bloomington Herald-Times) is the Big Ten's most iconic court, one graced by legends such as Branch McCracken and Bobby Knight before current Hoosier head man Tom Crean opened its doors. The court of dreams for most boys growing up in the Midwest is a Mecca for anyone who bleeds cream and crimson just as much as it is for those who simply watch college hoops for the love of the game.

8) Hinkle Fieldhouse: Indianapolis, Indiana (Butler University)

The home to "Hoosiers" and back-to-back national runner-up finishes for Butler University, (photo courtesy of ESPN) Hinkle doesn't get the respect it deserves since it plays host to a mid-major. However, what it lacks in national recognition is made up for in visual charm and quality of the game. The best college basketball is played in this area of the country, where thousands sell out arenas to watch groups of kids in their late teens and early twenties play their hearts out for forty minutes a night (sometimes more) while holding nothing back.

9) Jack Breslin Student Events Center: East Lansing, Michigan (Michigan State University)

Yes, I spelled out the full name of the Breslin Center, (photo courtesy of CBS Sports) and it has absolutely nothing to do with me having been a Michigan State fan since the mid-1990s. Home to one of the most raucous student sections in the nation in the form of the "Izzone," the battlefield of the Spartans has garnered a reputation as being a formidable foe just as fast as head coach Tom Izzo has become notorious for almost always making a deep run into March. If not for the long and storied mystique of Indiana basketball, this place would be higher up on the list.

10) Gallagher-Iba Arena: Stillwater, Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University)

The "Madison Square Garden of the Plains" (photo courtesy of CBS Sports) is the last entry in this group, and a wild card of sorts. Oklahoma State hasn't been as relevant in recent times following the departure of longtime coach Eddie Sutton; but if you're a college hoops enthusiast that has been around for a while, you'll remember how far ahead of its time this building with the maple floor that no amount of words does justice to was, and that was before the days of "Big Country" Bryant Reeves and the guard duo of Tony Allen and Joey Graham from the 2004 Final Four squad.

Honorable Mentions:

McKale Center: Tucson, Arizona (University of Arizona)

Frank Erwin Center: Austin, Texas (University of Texas at Austin)

Petersen Events Center: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (University of Pittsburgh)

Carrier Dome: Syracuse, New York (Syracuse University)

Comcast Center: College Park, Maryland (University of Maryland)

Qwest Center: Omaha, Nebraska (Creighton University)

That's pretty much it. If you feel I left some places out, please chime in through the comment section or on Twitter. I would love to hear from you and keep this discussion going.

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Turgeon Displays Mark Of A Winner

Mark Turgeon is all smiles Wednesday after replacing legendary Gary Williams as head coach at Maryland. (Photo courtesy of UMTerps.com)

Only in college basketball can one see a wide range of names floated around for one job to find that the man who actually gets it is nowhere to be found on the list of initial candidates. So it was at Maryland after Gary Williams announced his emotional retirement a week ago today, as the following days provided speculation with a Who's Who of the coaching fraternity that included such luminaries as Jay Wright, Jamie Dixon, Mike Brey, Sean Miller, Tubby Smith and Shaka Smart. Hardly anyone expected the choice in College Park to be Mark Turgeon, he of Wichita State and (most recently) Texas A&M fame after each of the aforementioned coaches turned the Terps down. However, just like Steve Lavin proved a year ago when he left the broadcast booth at ESPN to replace Norm Roberts at St. John's, sometimes the dark horse candidate turns out to be the best possible hire; and if you look at what Turgeon has managed to accomplish in thirteen years as a Division I head man, you'll think the same thing.

Turgeon brings a record of 249-158 into College Park, along with a pedigree unlike any other in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The new coach played under Larry Brown at Kansas; where he later served as an assistant under Roy Williams, whom he will now consider an adversary at North Carolina. Not only that, but the affable Turgeon injects a presence of youth (he just turned 46 in February) into a team that shares Turgeon's mix of youth and experience; led by guard Sean Mosley, who enters his senior year. Turgeon may be immediately impacted by the loss of Jordan Williams to the NBA draft and the decommitments of 2011 recruits Sterling Gibbs and Nick Faust, but don't expect him to be hamstrung for long, as he has managed to recruit top-level talent that turns itself into potential All-Americans; with Texas A&M's Khris Middleton being a prime example of that characteristic that Turgeon perfected as a head coach in the Missouri Valley Conference, a league notorious for turning overlooked prospects into future stars.

Finally, another thing that stands out about Turgeon is his self-admitted brutal honesty. Such an aspect is lacking in most coaches these days; and aside from Mike Rice or Rick Pitino, I personally have yet to see so much of it in a head coach anywhere in the country. Here's an interesting display of it from Turgeon's introductory press conference Wednesday:

"The hardest part for me, if you know anything about me, was having to tell my players I wasn't coming back. I followed a local legend in Texas in Billy Gillispie. (now the coach at Texas Tech) He was loved like no coach I've ever been around and I fought through that. It was much more difficult than this transition is ever going to be because I know Maryland fans love basketball. They want to win and they're going to support me from day one."

As far as that last part, if Turgeon is able to take it to Duke and Carolina the way Gary Williams made a career out of doing, then he won't have to worry about support. As far as saying replacing Gillispie was more difficult than replacing Gary Williams, I'm not sure how many people will agree with that. However, no matter how you slice it, there is a new dimension to Maryland basketball that will evolve over the next few years, and despite the bold statement about his first years at Texas A&M, Mark Turgeon may be the man who picks up where Gary Williams left off and keeps Maryland among the national elite, and not just that third-place team in the ACC.

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Gary Williams: A Giant Among Men

Shown here cutting down the net after winning national championship in 2002, Gary Williams officially retired today after a 43-year career that included spending last 22 seasons at alma mater Maryland. (Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)

I've seen many coaches in my almost-25-year existence, even more over the last four years since becoming part of the college basketball media. Far too often in this world do we see coaches that are overshadowed by other legends that have become synonymous with their institutions that are part of the same conference; but sometimes the coach living in relative anonymity goes on to have the more respected career, even if his own success (which is nothing to sneeze at) does not rival some of his adversaries.

Gary Williams is Exhibit A of such a coach. The man who spent the last 22 years at his alma mater of the University of Maryland as the head man in a league filled with luminaries the likes of Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski, Williams carved out a career at Maryland unlike any other; amassing a school record 461 wins in College Park and 668 overall between American, Boston College, Ohio State and his alma mater, where he brought the school to its first-ever Final Four in 2001 and won Maryland's first and only national championship in the following season. The third-winningest coach in Atlantic Coast Conference history behind the aforementioned Smith and Krzyzewski, the 66-year-old Williams today announced his retirement in an emotional sendoff at the Comcast Center that was attended by students, administrators, alums and former Williams players that included former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Joe Smith and 2010 ACC Player of the Year Greivis Vasquez.

"This is my decision," said a visibly shaken Williams shortly after being introduced by longtime Terps play-by-play man Johnny Holliday. "It's a decision I've thought about for a while. This is one of those things where I feel like I can still coach, but you realize there's other things out there." Williams will remain at Maryland as a special assistant to athletic director Kevin Anderson, a nugget broken last night by veteran scribe Dick "Hoops" Weiss of the New York Daily News. It is unclear just who will succeed Williams at this time; and while the list of rumored candidates include Mike Brey, Sean Miller and Shaka Smart, Williams was confident that whomever decides to undertake the daunting task of succeeding a legend will do just fine in his new line of work.

Many had assumed that the decision of sophomore forward Jordan Williams to remain in the NBA draft was what sent the coach over the edge, but Gary Williams emphatically denied such rumors. "Jordan Williams had no effect on my decision," said the outgoing icon. "I appreciate Maryland giving me the opportunity to coach for 22 years, and I've seen coaches who just stayed too long." Williams also revealed that he briefly flirted with retirement after capturing the national championship in 2002. Shortly before the coach was introduced, Maryland administrators announced that the court at the Comcast Center will be renamed in honor of Williams, a classy gesture for a true nice guy.

As a North Carolina fan, I always knew Williams' teams would give the Tar Heels a fight every time the two took the court. It was because of that and his positive demeanor that I never hated Maryland. I always respected the Terps. That and the fact that Maryland always took it to Duke the same way they did against Carolina didn't hurt either.

"I've had my time," stated Williams shortly before reopening the floor for questions from the media in attendance. "I've had a job for 43 years. Not many coaches have been able to do that. I'm grateful for what I've had."

I wasn't as fortunate as some of the other media members to have covered you, but so am I.

Thank you, Gary Williams.

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Heartbreak City For Fans Of Gus

The voice of March Madness will have a new home after Gus Johnson and CBS failed to come to terms on a contract. (Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)

After a 16-year career that saw his popularity and infectious enthusiasm increase exponentially to uncharted levels, the marriage between Gus Johnson and CBS came to a shocking divorce after the two sides could not agree to a new contract. The revelation was reported earlier this afternoon by Sports Illustrated, who also broke the news that Johnson was a candidate for the suddenly-vacated NFL Network play-by-play job that has since gone to Brad Nessler. Johnson has yet to be scooped up by a network, but there is no question that he will land somewhere sooner rather than later.

As a broadcaster myself, I can't do Gus any justice; so I'll rely on a few tributes to showcase the true genius behind the soundtrack of March Madness. Like this one that launched the mystique that has come to be known as the "Power of Gus."

"The Slipper Still Fits" (Gonzaga vs. Florida, 1999 NCAA Tournament)

How about this classic?

"Heartbreak City" (Gonzaga vs. UCLA, 2007 NCAA Tournament)

Then we have this diamond in the rough...

"A 2 To Tie, A 3 To Win It" (Illinois vs. Ohio State, 2005)

Another classic in a Big East game...

"Hey Coach, Play This Kid!" (Marquette vs. Georgetown, 2008)

This one's from the NFL, but just as good.

"Oh My Goodness, What A Play!" (Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 2009)

Another epic football call right here...

"He's Got 'Getting Away From The Cops' Speed!" (Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009)

Here's an ending that only Gus could be a part of:

"Unbelievable!" (Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans, 2010)

Back to the college hoops world for this next one...

"Cold Blooded!" (Washington vs. Arizona, 2011 Pac-10 Championship)

Next is the game that (in my opinion) was his defining moment:

Xavier vs. Kansas State (2008 NCAA Tournament)

Last; but definitely not least, we have the call that most of Gus' fans associate him with right away:

"My Name's Al Harrington, I Get Buckets!" (New York Knicks vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 2009)

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