#TWITBE Ep. 8.1 - Welcome to 2022! Guests: Justin Minaya, Dana O'Neil and Travis Steele

This Week In The BIG EAST Radio Show, distributed by Westwood One
begins its eighth season with Providence graduate senior forward
Justin Minaya, Xavier head coach Travis Steele,  The
Athletic senior college basketball writer and author Dana O’Neil,
as well as a celebration of 40 Years at Madison Square Garden
with a “Blast from the Past.”

With the start of a New Year, the first episode of TWITBE takes a
look at the start of conference play as well as a recap of an
impressive non-conference slate, with BIG EAST teams combining to
go 91-27 (.771).


The BIG EAST Spotlight is on Providence forward Justin Minaya,
who discusses the role the transfer portal has played in the
landscape of college basketball over the past couple seasons.
Playing a large role in the Friars’ transformation, Minaya talks
about the veteran leadership and experience surrounding Ed
Cooley’s team, opening the season with a 13-2 (3-1 BE) mark.


The BIG EAST Focus shines on Xavier head coach Travis Steele. The
Musketeers have shown balance, explosiveness, athleticism and
experience under Steele’s leadership, opening the year 11-2 (1-1
BE) and ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll.


Athletic senior college basketball writer and author Dana O’Neil
gives a view on the national perspective. A senior writer for The
Athletic, she has worked for more than 25 years as a sportswriter
covering the Final Four, the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA
Finals, NHL playoffs and the BIG EAST. She has worked previously
in Philadelphia and for ESPN, and she is the author of three
books, including “The BIG EAST: Inside the Most Entertaining and
Influential Conference in College Basketball History”, available
now online and in bookstores.


The episode’s “Who’s Hot” segment features the return of “Blast
from the Past”, with this week reliving the very first BIG EAST
Tournament held in Madison Square Garden featuring Boston College
and St. John’s. “Who’s Got Next?” takes a look at the upcoming
schedule, highlighting the big matchups. 


The returning hosts for This Week In The BIG EAST (#TWITBE) are
John Rooke, a longtime BIG EAST play-by-play voice, and Kevin
McNamara, BIG EAST radio host, columnist and author. Rooke and
McNamara give a comprehensive look at the teams, coaches, players
and storied tradition of the top basketball conference in America
in each episode.


To join the conversation and send questions to Rooke
(@JRbroadcaster) and McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33), use #TWITBE on
Twitter. Fans may submit questions to be featured on the
show. 


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