Figures that the first Monday after a delightful week of college basketball is awfully light on action. Maybe that’s just a sure-fire way to ensure Dick Vitale’s moment isn’t overshadowed.
The ESPN analyst, famous for his bombastic voice, catchphrases and ridiculous enthusiasm, is having “Dick Vitale Court” dedicated to him tonight during the St. John’s-Detroit game (7 p.m., ESPN2), which also happens to be the best game on the slate.
It’s quite a tribute to Dickie V, who coached Detroit from 1973 to 1977, accumulating a 78-30 record in that span. His post-coaching career made him famous, which might make the honor seem odd, but Detroit’s OK with it.
“We are honoring Dick not only for his accomplishments with Detroit and all the tremendous things he did for our school and the city of Detroit,” athletic director Keri Gaither told the Detroit News. “He’s made a lasting impact on our program. But we also want to honor him for what he’s done for college basketball. He is a tremendous ambassador for the college game and we want to recognize him for it all.”
Take a bow, Dickie V.
(All times ET; TV info courtesy of HDSports.com)
EAST
Hampton at Fordham, 7 p.m.
LIU at Lafayette, 7 p.m.
Brown at Providence, 7 p.m.
Yale at Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.
Albany (NY) at Siena, 7 p.m.
SOUTH
Allen at Florida A&M, 6 p.m.
Charleston Southern at Florida St., 7 p.m.
Elon at UNC Greensboro, 7 p.m.
Rio Grande at Coppin St., 7:30 p.m.
Delaware St. at Howard, 7:30 p.m.
Arkansas St. at Austin Peay, 8 p.m.
SC State at Norfolk St., 8 p.m.
UTSA at Samford, 8 p.m.
MIDWEST
St. John’s at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at DePaul, 9 p.m.
SOUTHWEST
Texas-Pan American at Lamar, 8 p.m.
SE Missouri at Cent. Arkansas, 8:30 p.m.
FAR WEST
Idaho St. at Boise St., 9 p.m.
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