Under Armour’s Inaugural Collegiate Basketball Doubleheader

If you tune in to the WearTesters socials you know that last night Under Armour kindly invited Stan (NYJumpman23) and myself (TheShoeRestorer) out to Madison Square Garden for UA’s inaugural collegiate basketball doubleheader.

Everyone on court was wearing Under Armour — Curry One lows, Curry 2.5s, ClutchFit Drive 3s (high and low) — except the refs, who need to wear black on black on black shoes with no visible logos. Seated courtside, right behind the basket, we were able to spot refs in the Nike Air Max Plus, Nike KD9, and a few different Under Armour boots (take a look here).

First, the Auburn Tigers duked it out with the Boston College Eagles, but Auburn lost in the very last seconds 72-71. Last night was Auburn’s first appearance at the Garden, and it leaves the team with a 6-2 record. BC now has a 5-5 record.

Boston College Head Coach Jim Christian had this to say about the team’s rebounding:

“They’re so athletic, that was a big key for us – we had to keep them off the boards, but I thought with some of our length and size could get to the boards. Obviously plus 17 on the backboard negated a lot of the things we did not do well in this game and that’s what you have to do. If you’re not doing certain things well you have to find a way to counteract that and we did a good job of that.”

“The tip in was exciting. It was a feeling I’ve never had before, it was awesome and to for it to happen in this kind of building, it makes it even sweeter,” said Jerome Robinson when asked about the game-winning basket. What about playing in Madison Square Garden? “It’s awesome. You hear stories about it, but I’ve never been here. It’s a lot smaller than I thought, but it’s definitely a different kind of arena. I’ve been at other NBA arena’s but this one is definitely special.”

Auburn Head Coach Bruce Pearl took the defeat well and recognized Purifoy’s big game:

“We didn’t play well early. Our youth obviously showed. Defensively, we had a hard time keeping Boston College in front of us. As a result, we had 11 blocks which is an indication that they got downhill pretty easily. The rebounding advantage was significant. I knew Boston College would be a good, physical team, and they won the game with offensive rebounds. Danjel Purifoy playing terrifically. He lets the game come to him. He plays with great rhythm. He made big shots. He guarded a lot of different people. He played really well.”

Afterwards, the Seton Hall Pirates played the South Carolina Gamecocks in what I can say is the most exciting, fast-paced, and brutal games of basketball I have ever witnessed. These guys are huge and they do not stop! They throw down thunderous dunks and land hard. The entire game was played at full speed — these guys played like they only had five seconds per play when they had 30!

There were many Seton Hall fans in the building last night (including the four drunk guys who sat behind us and yelled obscenities at the players all night), as Seton Hall University is less than 20 miles away from MSG. The Pirates defeated the no. 16 Gamecocks 67-64, adding their streak at the Garden to four wins including their Big East tournament run last year.

Seton Hall forward Desi Rodriguez scored the awesome game-winning shot.

“It was either going to be Desi in the wing against man or Desi in the wing against zone. On the side, him ripping through to his left he’s really tough. He was fresh, because of his foul trouble he sat out for six minutes so other guys were in there battling and I wanted somebody fresh with the ball. He made a really good power move,” said Seton Hall Coach Kevin Willard.

On playing well at MSG, Seton Hall guard Khadeen Carrington said:

“It’s a bunch of New York guys. That’s the core of the team. I think we get up to play here, not that we don’t get up to play anywhere else, but I think you’re playing in front of your family, you’re playing at home, you’re playing in front of your friends, there’s a little more to it.”

In the coming years, a nationwide spotlight will be cast each December on select teams for a head-to-head match up during the Under Armour Reunion at MSG. Of course, all the collegiate programs taking the hardwood will be those featured on Under Armour’s roster of collegiate basketball teams.

Check out the gallery of images below, as well as the box scores. Let us know if you were watching the games on television. Thank you again to Under Armour for inviting us!

Source: Under Armour