New York – Matt McCraw can’t think about playing in Madison Square Garden without remembering a dunk over Patrick Ewing by Michael Jordan during a long-ago Knicks-Bulls game.
“That has to be a poster on some kid’s wall,” said the Air Force senior guard, who gets to experience the thrill of playing at one of the most famous arenas in sports tonight when the Falcons (26-8) meet Clemson (24-10) in a National Invitation Tournament semifinal. West Virginia (25-9) and Mississippi State (21-13) meet in the opener.
Air Force and Clemson players made it clear Monday at a news conference how much they anticipate stepping onto the grand stage of Madison Square Garden.
“I’ve always been a Knicks fan. But the Garden speaks for itself,” said Clemson point guard Vernon Hamilton. “Look at all the great players who have played there and the great games that have been played there.
“All we’ve been talking about is when can we go the Garden.”
Hamilton, as a Knicks fan, could recall Reggie Miller and his barrage of points in the final seconds against his Knicks in a playoff game. Air Force center Nick Welch wasn’t born when Knicks center Willis Reed tried to play a critical playoff game while injured, but he remembers reading about it.
Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik, a former Nuggets coach, has his own memories of the Garden from his many years in the NBA. He was a Knicks assistant under Pat Riley and moved to the Miami Heat with Riley.
“When we came back to play the Knicks for the first time with the Heat, Pat threw a kiss to the crowd,” Bzdelik said. “I’ll never forget that.”
Bzdelik also remembered the exuberance of the New York crowd that gathered around the Heat’s bus as the team arrived at the Garden to play the Knicks in a playoff game. Most of the comments directed at the Heat are not suitable for printing in a newspaper.
“We’ve definitely talked about the significance of playing in Madison Square Garden,” Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said. “It’s a mecca for everyone in basketball.”
The NIT has been a vital part of Madison Square Garden. Once college basketball’s major postseason tournament, the NIT has struggled to maintain prominence. But the semifinal teams are thrilled to be in New York.
“Unless you can make a deep run in the other tournament, you’re much better off in this tournament,” Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said.
As for tonight’s matchup, Hamilton said: “Air Force can look good in strides. We match up with them pretty well athletically. We’ll have the advantage in size. We’re going to try to pound the ball inside.”
Air Force is used to that, and has adapted to bigger teams before.
“I hope we have the feeling of making sure we have the same desire and attitude about winning and not being satisfied with just getting there,” Bzdelik said.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
