The 2019 Jimmy V Classic
Don’t give up… Don’t ever give up! This was the mantra of the late Ji͏m Valvano. He was more than a basketball player, coach, or broadcaster. He was, and remains to this day, a true inspiration and the reason why so many people simple will not give up fighting Cancer. Every year, the Jimmy V Classic invades Madison Square Garden and matches up some of the best college basketball teams in the country for a night of nonstop action. This year was no different. For the first game of the evening, the number 1 ranked team in the country, the Louisville Cardinals, faced off with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in an instant Classic. The night cap consisted of the UConn Huskies versus the Indiana Hoosiers. These are four very well known and respected college programs and if you blinked, you were sure to miss out on some action.
Texas Tech Stuns # 1 Louisville at The Garden
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: David’s Moretti poured in 18 huge points in Texas Tech upsetting #1 ranked Louisville at the Garden. Photo courtesy of Cal Griffin/ATH
Louisville came in as the top ranked team in the country. Very confident and sure of their abilities but I’m not sure if they realized what kind of fight they were getting into. Texas Tech came out on top 70-57 in a game that was very physical from start to finish. They came out the gate firing on all cylinders. The Red Raiders came into this contest with a balanced attack and no real star power, but managed to pull off a great team win. Their prized Freshman Jahmius Ramsey sidelined due to injury, the Red Raiders aimed to play scrappy and simply lay everything on the line in front of the capacity MSG crowd. Louisville looked shell shocked by how much energy Texas Tech came out with. Compound that with shooting a dismal 28% from the field and it was going to be a long night for Louisville.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: Louisville Guard Darius Perry gets back on defense at the Jimmy V Classic versus Texas Tech. Photo courtesy of Cal Griffin/ATH
In the first half it was the energetic play of Texas Tech Forward Avery Benson that made the difference. He was everywhere on the court showing the Garden faithful why he wanted it more. He rebounded, he dove for loose balls and all of the dirty work for the Red Raiders. He led Tech with 7 first half points and had the entire Garden on their feet cheering him on because of how hard he was working. On the other end after sustaining the initial punch by Texas Tech, Louisville managed to recover and keep the game close. Cardinal big man, Steven Enoch made 4-5 shots from the paint to contribute 10 first half points. If Louisville was going to win they were going to need someone to step up, but that never happened.
During the whole game we tried to stay positive. We came out of the half up 3, and we knew we could have played better – and so could Louisville, because once again they’re a really good team. We just wanted to keep going tough the second half and take it each media timeout at a time
-Avery Benson (Texas Tech, Forward)
There was more of the same in the 2nd half and Louisville never regained the swagger that got them the number 1 ranking in college basketball. Jordan Nwora tried to be more assertive and ended up with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Steven Enoch didn’t score in the 2nd half and they really needed more from him.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: The moment when Texas Tech’s TJ Holyfield and Terrence Shannon, Jr. know they have just beat the #1 ranked school in the country. Photo courtesy of Cal Griffin/ATH
Texas Tech fans couldn’t be more excited to knock off such a high ranked team. The fans nearly stormed the court but security held them at bay. David’s Moretti came up huge for the Red Raiders pouring a team high 18 points. Forward Avery Benson said “During the whole game we tried to stay positive. We came out of the half up 3, and we knew we could have played better – and so could Louisville, because once again they’re a really good team. We just wanted to keep going tough the second half and take it each media timeout at a time and turn 20 minutes into four-minute segments and try to build on every four minutes. Win the turnovers, keep playing hard and do our assignments.” The accomplished this feat and were able to go home with the W.
Indiana holds on to defeat UConn
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: The Hoosiers versus The Huskies. A long tradition of players came through these two schools. Photo courtesy of Cal Griffin/ATH
The Jimmy V Classic nightcap consisted of the Indiana Hoosiers taking on the UConn Huskies. At the end of the night Indiana came out on top 57-54 and advanced their record to 9-1 on the season. The Hoosiers were coming off of a hot start to their season, winning their first 8 games, and losing their last contest to Wisconsin. UConn has put some quality wins together as well compiling a 6-2 record coming into the Jimmy V Classic.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: Indiana Hoosiers Vs The UConn Huskies was a great nightcap for the Jimmy V Classic in the Garden. Photo courtesy of Cal Griffin/ATH
UConn came out strong and established themselves in the paint early on. They built an early lead by being aggressive and Connecticut Forward Josh Carlton was simply too big and too agile to stop and he found success in the paint. Indiana settled down, increased their defensive pressure and got back into the game. They started forcing the Huskies into making careless passes and turning the ball over. The Huskies turned the ball over 22 times and that was a major key to them losing the game.
I just thought it was some carelessness from a couple of individuals” Coach Dan Hurley said during the post game press conference. “Mostly, it was just guards trying to do things with the ball they shouldn’t be trying to do.
In the final moments UConn Guard Alterique Gilbert, who had previously missed all of his 3 point attempts, knocked one down with 14.3 secons remaining to pull the Huskies within 2 points but later turned the ball over to seal Connecticut’s fate. The crowd attempted to will the Huskies to victory but those attempts fell on deaf ears.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: Connecticut’s Josh Carlton led all scorers with 18 points but they weren’t enough to beat a stingy Indiana defense at the Garden. The Hoosiers are 9-1 to begin the season. Photo courtesy of Cal Griffin/ATH
Josh Carlton led all scorers with 18 points while his teammate Tyler Polley added 12 points. Indiana didn’t have one player in double figures but found a way to pull off the victory. I’m sure UConn coach Dan Hurley wishes he could have this one back. On paper they were supposed to win this game. They will need to let this loss go and focus on their next opponent which is St. Peter’s next week.