They tell me it???s the biggest party night of the year, so I???ve decided to have a blast inside Madison Square Garden. Unlimited Diet Cokes in the press box = outstanding fun.

The semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off are tonight, and I challenge anyone to find a better time in the Big Apple this evening. We all know football is a big deal tomorrow, but for college basketball junkies, this is the marquee event of the holiday weekend.

The stands aren???t full, which is somewhat baffling in a city of 8.5 million people. Sure, there???s cooking to do, friends to see and Seinfeld reruns to watch, but we???re talking big-time college hoops the day before Thanksgiving, right here in the heart of New York.

The NIT has always been a tough draw, if only because it???s impossible to know which teams will make it to the final rounds in New York each year. For Washington, Ohio State and Texas A&M, this is a haul and it???s hard to spend thousands of dollars for airfare, hotel and expensive food at the last minute. I expect that Syracuse will draw well for the second game given the university???s proximity to New York City.

There are a lot of legends in the stands, but I was thrilled to meet Lucy Carlesimo last night and hope to make it across the court to see her again tonight. Mrs. Carlesimo???s late husband Peter was the man responsible for keeping the NIT running for so many years, and his vibrant wife is still front and center at the preseason and postseason tournaments. Dining with her last night has been the highlight of my time in the city.

It???s halftime of the first game right now ??? Washington leads Texas A&M, 36-32.