Taking in a basketball game at Madison Square Garden has always been on my bucket list, but I didn’t want to go unless it meant something. As a UVa. alum, and the author of a book on the history of UVa. basketball, ideally my bucket list trip would involve seeing the guys in orange and blue in some way.
Then the Cavalanche happened. And so it is now that I’m getting up early Friday morning to get on a train to New York City.
I have no idea what I’m getting myself into, admittedly. I’ve worked in the news media since graduating from college 20 years ago, but what I’m going to be doing tomorrow night is a whole ‘nuther thing from what I’ve ever been able to do.
I’m a small town guy. I mean, the biggest city I’ve ever lived in is Charlottesville, population roughly 45,000. Going to the big city means getting in a car and driving two hours to Richmond, population roughly 210,000.
Stuff happens here, but, OK, not much happens here. I remember covering the first UVa. basketball game of the 2013-2014 season, at home against JMU. Seems like there were maybe 8-10 reporters there that night in the locker room after the game. Sunday night, after Virginia’s third-round NCAA Tournament win over Memphis, it was more like 90-100.
Now we’re going to New York, the media capital of the world, and MSG, the center of the basketball universe, the world’s most famous arena, the mecca of basketball.
And I’m courtside.
I feel like Wayne and Garth from “Wayne’s World.” Definitely not worthy.
Forgive me if you happen to catch a glimpse of me on press row, and my mouth is open wide enough to catch flies. The awe will wear off at some point, though actually I hope it doesn’t.
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