Big Day for the Big Red

Well, March 19th, 2010, will be tough day to top in the history of Big Red sports. Topping the list was Cornell's win over Temple in the NCAA basketball tourney, the first NCAA win for Cornell and first Ivy league school to win a tourney game since 1998. Add to it a solid win in the ECAC hockey semis against Brown and the women's hockey team's victory in the national semifinals, and it adds up to a trifecta for Cornell sports.

Against Temple the Big Red looked solid throughout, and while everyone talks about Cornell's outstanding three point shooting, it was their defense that gave them a lift early against the Owls. I couldn't tell if it was Cornell's stifling D or Temple's offense wasn't executing well, or some combination of both, but Cornell was able to build its lead in the first half even while missing some open looks from the three point line.

Both offenses played well coming out of the break, as Cornell, particularly Wittman, started draining some threes. Temple hit a few outside shots as well and narrowed the eight point halftime lead to six a couple of times. But as I've seen throughout the season, especially down the stretch in the Ivies, Cornell always has an answer when its opponent starts getting close, often with one of its big three, Wittman, Dale and Foote, stepping up to make a key play. As Cornell continued to hit from long-range and Temple cooled off, the Red were able to pull away. I'm the type of fan who doesn't celebrate until the clock reads all zeroes, but it was nice to bask in the moment as the Big Red built a double digit lead in the last couple of minutes, versus having to sweat out a close one.

I'd watched the game with my brother Jerry at Cornell headquarters in downtown Albany, and then strolled over to the Times Union Center for the ECAC hockey game, savoring the victory and the bright spring weather. At the TU, Big Red fans were still buzzing from the hoop team's victory when when the puck dropped for the Cornell Brown game a couple of hours later.

After a sleepy first period, the Big Red hockey team asserted itself in the second, building a 1-0 lead after two and put the game away with two more in the third. They'll face Union in the finals as the Dutchmen beat St. Lawrence 3-1, breaking a 1-1 tie late in the third. Though indifferent to Cornell's opponent in the finals, I was disappointed for my brother Peter, our host at the TU, and a St. Lawrence alum.

One of the lighter moments during the game was when the PA announcer came on to promote the ECAC tourney's move to Atlantic City in 2011, an annoucement which was met with a chorus of boos.

My brothers Jerry and Michael, also Cornell alums, and my nephew Patrick a Cornell sophomore, were also in attendance and without jinxing ourselves, we were noodling a trip to Syracuse for the regional basketball final should Cornell be able to get past Wisconsin on Sunday. Given the way the field is selected, Cornell is assured of an NCAA hockey bid, so there's also a chance they could play in Albany or Worcester in an NCAA hockey regional next weekend, so there could more Cornell sports on tap for next weekend.

Though I've not followed the women's hockey team closely, I was pleased to see they beat top-ranked Mercyhurst in the Women's Frozen Four for a shot at the national title on Sunday. The women's coach is Doug Derraugh '91, who I knew personally when he played at Cornell while I was there, so I'm certain happy for Doug and his team and hope they can take home the NCAA title. I'm assuming it would be Cornell's first in any team sport since probably the 1977 lacrosse team.

But as Jen and I always say, we're not complacent about any of it nor taking any of this success for granted -- just enjoying the ride. Looking forward to the Cornell Union hockey game tonight and then watching the Cornell hoop game tomorrow. Go Big Red!