I have linked the article from David Jones at Pennlive. Is there some reason Temple couldn't make this happen? It appears that Nova and St. Joes could not (or would not) either.
MSU coach Tom Izzo was known to covet a game at the Palestra. He told me this afternoon he had been trolling for one as a part of his bucket list of venues to complete a career that's spanned 21 seasons as a head coach and every historic arena from Cameron to Pauley to Allen:
"For five years, I'd made it public," said Izzo. "I talked to Jay [Wright] a little bit and [Temple coach] Fran Dunphy and to Martelli. Phil's a good friend but I was like, my God, I don't wanna play Phil; they're [Saint Joseph's] too good. But I probably would've done it. Even the Big Ten knew.
"But then, I think the fact that Penn State with Pat recruiting there a little harder, it just seemed like a good marriage. It's good for him because he gets in Philly. It's good for me because I get a bucket-list thing."
http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/08/penn_state_basketball_palestra.html
MSU coach Tom Izzo was known to covet a game at the Palestra. He told me this afternoon he had been trolling for one as a part of his bucket list of venues to complete a career that's spanned 21 seasons as a head coach and every historic arena from Cameron to Pauley to Allen:
"For five years, I'd made it public," said Izzo. "I talked to Jay [Wright] a little bit and [Temple coach] Fran Dunphy and to Martelli. Phil's a good friend but I was like, my God, I don't wanna play Phil; they're [Saint Joseph's] too good. But I probably would've done it. Even the Big Ten knew.
"But then, I think the fact that Penn State with Pat recruiting there a little harder, it just seemed like a good marriage. It's good for him because he gets in Philly. It's good for me because I get a bucket-list thing."
http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/08/penn_state_basketball_palestra.html
