It was a sobering thought from a man who should know.
"By the time San Diego State and Baylor tip off Tuesday night, only eight teams will still be playing," Fran Fraschilla said.
Fraschilla, who joined ESPN as a men's college basketball analyst in 2003 after 23 years in the coaching ranks, was speaking of the Aztecs game in the semifinals of the NIT at New York's famed Madison Square Garden.
"This is a total home run for San Diego State," said Fraschilla, who called SDSU's third-round NIT game against Saint Mary's on Wednesday before a sellout crowd at Cox Arena.
He'll call the NIT semis and final along with Ron Franklin and Bill Raftery. The Aztecs and Baylor will tip off at 4 p.m., followed by Penn State-Notre Dame at 6:30 p.m. The winners will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday for the title.
"Honestly, this is a big deal for SDSU to play for a championship in the world's greatest arena," Fraschilla said. "The NIT was a big deal when I was a kid, then it kind of faded. Now, since the NCAA took over the event, it's magical again."
Fraschilla is more than a talking head. He posted a 175-100 record in 11 years as a head coach.
He led Manhattan College to two NCAA tournaments and two NIT appearances. He took over at St. John's and led the Red Storm to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years. And his 2001 New Mexico team advanced to the third round of the NIT.
He has coached dozens of games in Madison Square Garden.
"I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that San Diego State-Saint Mary's game," Fraschilla said. "It was the best atmosphere all year, and it isn't even close. From tip to end, every single play mattered. There was a lot at stake. It was one of the magical nights of the year.
"People across the country saw a great show."
Having coached at New Mexico, a fellow member of the Mountain West Conference, Fraschilla is very aware of the TV restrictions under which San Diego State plays. Most Aztecs games are on the mtn., a network available in only a fraction of homes across the country.
So playing on ESPN2 last week, ESPN2 again Tuesday and possibly in the NIT final on Thursday on ESPN is huge for San Diego State.
"I know how good the Mountain West Conference is," Fraschilla said. "It's a shame the teams are stuck with that TV contract. It's a shame the rest of the country doesn't know how good San Diego State is, how good BYU is, how good Utah's Luke Nevill is.
"I've coached against (San Diego State's) Steve Fisher, and I'm telling you, the guy is good. He can flat coach."
Fraschilla will host Monday's NIT press conference as well as the NIT tipoff dinner at New York's Central Park.
"I would guess most of the San Diego State players have never been to New York," Fraschilla said. "So I hope they embrace this. They're already getting to play in the Garden, but I hope they get a chance to get to Times Square, Ground Zero, Broadway and the Statue of Liberty.
"It's obvious from that crowd in San Diego that San Diego State has embraced the NIT."
On the court, Fraschilla is looking forward to a great game Tuesday.
"Baylor is small and athletic," he said. They're guard-oriented, but they're very talented."
Guards Curtis Jerrells (16.1) and LaceDarius Dunn (15.5) are Baylor's leading scorers, followed by forward Kevin Rogers (12.6) and guards Tweety Carter (10.7) and Henry Dugat (9.9). Four players have taken more that 100 3-point shots, with Jerrells, Dunn and Carter all taking at least 190. The Bears have shot close to 900 3-pointers.
With Lorenzo Wade, Tim Shelton, Billy White, Kyle Spain, Ryan Amoroso and Mehdi Cheriet, the Aztecs are a big team that has shot fewer than 600 3-pointers.
"It's going to be a contrast in styles, that's for sure," Fraschilla said. "If Baylor shoots the lights out, it has a chance. But San Diego State's big men are very athletic. If they defend the 3-point line, close down the lanes, they have a great chance.
"You can't tell me that there are 34 at-large teams in the NCAA tournament that are better than San Diego State. I heard Steve Fisher say, 'You can only win the tournament you're selected for.' It's obvious from the way they played against Weber State, Kansas State and Saint Mary's that they've taken that to heart."Â
Aztecs note
Tuesday's San Diego State-Baylor game can also be heard on KOGO (600), with Ted Leitner calling the action. The pregame show has been expanded to an hour, starting at 3 p.m. Craig Elsten will host the pregame, halftime and postgame shows for KOGO along with UC San Diego coach Craig Carlson.
Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.
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