As Marquette gets ready to play in their first basketball tournament in a while, Travis Diener knows better than most that one of the first full-contact sporting events will be a test for the team.
"We're probably the guinea pig. Major League Baseball, hockey, soccer. Even maybe the NCAA's is taking a look at how this goes," the former Marquette star.
If it goes bad? Then that's obviously not a good sign for the NBA. If it goes good? That helps," said Diener.
Diener and a Golden Eagles team will go to Columbus, Ohio playing on national television. However, playing in the tournament certainly comes with a risk
"Obviously to play in this tournament? I've had to go through two tests already," said Diener.
For Diener? It's a chance to do something he thought wasn't possible after 15 years of pro basketball.
TMJ4 Main Sports Anchor Lance Allan says when they put the Marquette on, there is a sense of pride so what is that dynamic like, where you have guys like you that are still playing at a super high level and other guys that kind of want to turn back the clock and represent well?
"You never think this opportunity would come again where I could represent Marquette on a scale like this," Diener said. "I think there's going to be a ton of excitement this year more than ever."
And hitting a game-winning 3? he made his Dad a social media star.
"Diener gets the screen. Long look. Bottoms, and the Golden Eagles are going to Baltimore!"
"Yeah! Yeah! Holy bleep," Bob Diener says.
"It's funny," Diener says. "You know, my Dad, I mean if you'd have said that he'd be on social media a few years ago? He wouldn't know what anyone is talking about so!"
Hopefully, there are more moments like that, next week.
