DePaul Wins Big East Conference Tournament

Wow what a game! The final score read DePaul 74-Marquette 73, but even the closeness of the score does not reveal the excitement of this game. I'm talking about the Big East Conference Women's Basketball Tournament championship game, which capped off a fantastic weekend of tournament play.

Marquette (15-3, 26-7 overall) won the Big East Conference and was the #1 seed in the tournament. Having lost to DePaul in the championship game last season, Marquette came into this season on a mission. Coach Carolyn Kieger expressed high expectations for the team and the Golden Eagles delivered all season. Right from the start, they were super focused and rolling, even withstanding an injury to last year's Big East Player of the Year Allazia Blockton.

On the other hand, DePaul (14-4, 26-7 overall) started off a bit inconsistently. Midway through the season, after a tough loss to Seton Hall, Coach Doug Bruno spoke of his team's need to find the answers within themselves. Shortly after that, the Blue Demons started to find the answers. Even a subsequent loss to Marquette felt like a minor victory, as the team really seemed to be coming together. Eight straight wins later, DePaul entered the tourney as the #2 seed.

The tourney started on Saturday with St. John's beating Seton Hall and Providence besting Xavier. Sunday saw Marquette over St. John's, Georgetown topping Villanova, DePaul beating Providence and Creighton defeating Butler. On Monday, Marquette downed Georgetown and DePaul prevailed over Creighton. On Tuesday, it was again DePaul against Marquette for the Big East Tournament championship.

Both teams started strong. The first quarter ended with a 20-20 tie. Marquette took a 40-35 lead at halftime and 1 59-53 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. Every time it looked like Marquette was going to pull away, DePaul came back, keeping the score close.

With the hometown DePaul fans joined by many Wisconsinites, who made the short trip, the crowd was somewhat divided, but very lively. I have never seen Wintrust rocking like this.

I found myself cheering for everyone. I hated to see either team lose. Both deserved the win. It was one of those times when you knew you were witnessing something special. I soaked it in, ending my note-taking to just enjoy the final minutes.

DePaul finally took a one point lead on a shot and following three throw with 5 seconds left. The crowd erupted, but the madness wasn't done just yet. Marquette had one last chance to win the game.

The Golden Eagles raced down the court, but missed the last shot. DePaul won, repeating as champs. The fans stormed the court to celebrate with the winners and commiserate with Marquette. I purposely did refer to Marquette as “losers.”

My media credential allowed me to stay on the floor throughout the celebration, trophy presentations and net-cutting. I saw the raw emotion in the players. I talked to many of these elite athletes and even their families. I basked in the glow of being a part of this whole experience.

As I sat courtside for last season's championship game, I really fell in love with this game. I wanted to see more of these teams this season and I did, starting at Marquette's Media Day. During the season, I saw several Marquette and DePaul games in person and many Big East games on television or streaming. I said all season that Marquette and DePaul would meet in the championship game, although a lot of folks felt that way.

Now, with one full season under my belt, I once again was courtside, but this time it was for the entire tournament. I saw great games and watched fantastic players up close. I had a few favorites from each team, but mostly, I simply appreciated all of the elite athletes.

As the tourney progressed, it seemed DePaul and Marquette would fulfill everyone's predictions. On Monday, as the final buzzer sounded for DePaul's win, the stage was set for Tuesday's showdown.

My friends asked who I was predicting and who I wanted. I admit, I thought Marquette would win in a close game. I guess I wanted DePaul, but honestly I was torn. I had followed both teams closely and became familiar with the players and coaches. The deciding factor probably was that a win did more for DePaul in terms of the upcoming NCAA tourney than it would have for Marquette.

Obviously both Marquette and DePaul will be in the upcoming NCAA women's tournament. It will be tough for that tourney to match this one, but these women continue to amaze me and adding more great teams from all over the country will only up the level of play.

I will be courtside for the regionals held at Wintrust March 30 and April 1. The seedings have not been announced yet, but I will report back here once they are. I expect Marquette to be in the midwest bracket, possibly DePaul, too. Hopefully, I will see one of these teams, but either way, I know I will see great women's basketball.