Why Is The Nassau Coliseum Important To USC Basketball?

Nassau Coliseum

The Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., closed this week for a partial demolition and $261 million renovation. Why does that matter in Southern California? Because it 2001, it was the site and start of the most memorable run in the past 60 years as theĀ USC basketball team reached the Elite Eight.

The Trojans defeated Oklahoma State and then upset Boston College two days later to advance to the Sweet 16. Robert Hutchinson was the hero of the Boston College victory and the Trojans celebrated in the at the Nassau Coliseum locker room like it was the Final Four.

The arena was past its prime back then too but it was also great. You could stay at the Long Island Marriott and walk a short distance to the arena next door. I remember being in an elevator and here comes Paul Hackett, fired as USC coach four months earlier, because he got hired by the New York Jets, who trained nearby.

The Trojans basked in East Coast glory for two weeks. After the Boston College win, Coach Henry Bibby took the team to New York City the next day and frustrated the players by stopping at KFC for dinner. Then a two-hour bus ride to Philadelphia for a thrilling upset of Kentucky in the Sweet 16 and gutsy loss to Duke in the Elite Eight. Yes, Nassau Coliseum played a large part for those who were there nearly 15 years ago.

10 thoughts on “Why Is The Nassau Coliseum Important To USC Basketball?

  1. You saw Paul Hackett in an elevator?… Wow, Scott…. that’s the stuff that memoirs are made of…. I’m that Hackett has fond memories of seeing you, too, on that glorious day at the Long Island Marriott……….

    • Do you think Paul Hackett remembers this? No, just another f@t b@ld guy in an elevator.

  2. True immortal Klown U men’s basketball success: 1 Final Four (4th place, 1954), and 1 Elite Eight, in the 76 year history of the NCAA Basketball Tournament – humongous athletic tradition.

    Has Sark sold the castle yet?

  3. KFC? fitting place for a Clown College on a freak lucky streak.

    Jim Harrick famously took his players to Morton’s for dinner!! now THAT’S how you treat national Champeen players!!!

    #StillMoreStreetCred

    • And he got his butt fired for paying a player at a dinner table. The only difference between Johnny Cheetin Wooden and Harrick is that Harrick got caught.

  4. That boston college win was on st patty’s day if I remember correctly – great run, great team. Thanks scottie!

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