No hard feelings: DeFilippo is being a good host
Two Big East teams are in the NCAA East Regional final in Boston, which used to be the northern anchor of the conference until Boston College moved south to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2005.
Words were exchanged. Lawsuits were filed. Bad blood all around.
Asked yesterday how he felt about having Villanova and Pittsburgh playing at TD Banknorth Garden for a bid to the Final Four, BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo said, "I think it's great. They deserve it."
DeFilippo had his roots planted firmly in the Big East. He came to The Heights from Villanova. He had friends in such high places he was the front-runner to be Big East commissioner when Mike Tranghese retired.
He was also the point man for BC, defending its move against mounting criticism.
But long-term ties were broken. BC playing UConn in a major sporting event has been frozen in time, but the thawing process has started.
BC has a long-term deal with Syracuse in football, has maintained a link with Providence in basketball, and DeFilippo had dinner with some longtime friends from Villanova during the week. "We're talking," said DeFilippo.
Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright, who has a lot of input in the Wildcats' nonconference schedule, is also open to the idea of putting BC on his schedule.
DeFilippo and his staff have run a flawless operation. They want to do it again when the next round of NCAA sites is announced.
As for the Big East's presence in Boston? "Not a problem. Two great teams," said DeFilippo. "It should be fun."
