Biggest Big East Fan: Challenge Three, ROAD TRIP!

The Volvo Biggest Big East Fan contest continues to roll on as we start challenge three. After looking at all of the great places to visit in Tampa when I return on my alma mater trip (see challenge two here) challenge three takes us on a different path. For this challenge, Volvo is challenging us to select "What are the top three Big East road trip towns and why? Cool college town, beautiful drive, best bars, etc."

We will hopefully have a better car than this on the long road trip up north.

In other words, we have to pick three places to visit on a long road trip so let's sit back, relax, and buckle up as we begin an epic road trip!

So the road trip is on to three schools/cities that are top on my list. Being so far away from everyone, it is going to be a long road trip, but riding in a Volvo S60 (thanks again to Volvo for sponsoring this awesome challenge), it's a smooth ride as we head out on the long road, but we have to make sure the car is packed for the long trip from Tampa. We have plenty of CDs and Rocky is driving with us so this should be a fun trip as the Stampede leaves Tampa and heads north to the first of our three destinations.

Seems we have great music for the ride, so we are all set to go!

The first stop is to the nation's capital and t Georgetown University. It's a long 897 mile trip, 15 hours and 13 minutes to be exact (had to stop at a few rest stops along the way), but worth the trip and especially to relive one of the greatest memories in USF history while visiting the nation's capital.

The S60 is loaded, Rocky is driving, and we are heading to Georgetown !

There is a lot to see in Washington, D.C. From all of the monuments to the great malls and dinning in the area, the city is alive with history. I have only been to D.C. once in my life, but the memories are still fresh in my mind. I might starting with the Lincoln Memorial, might head to the White House for a tour, and then the Capital building of course. Even the incredible museums like the museum of nation history is a landmark and a must see. The National Mall is another great stop that even has a subway in it (being in Florida, we don't have anything like that), with all of these incredible sights, there is plenty to do, but D.C. also holds a special memory for USF basketball and something that brings chills just remembering that day.

I wonder if there is anything to see in this city? Might be, but after seeing all the attractions, it's time to visit the Georgetown campus and a place in USF basketball history.

On February 3rd, 2010, USF came to Georgetown, riding a wave of momentum but facing the 7th ranked Hoyas. The Bulls battled and came away with a huge 72 to 64 win, the highest ranked opponent USF has ever defeated in program history.

Dojo and company played the game

Dominique Jones made a huge impact in the game after being held in check in the first half. Coach Heath even stated he honestly was stunned at the performance of the team, coming back and beating the highest ranked team in program history.

USF has not had a lot of success since joining the Big East, so this moment is one of the greatest not only in conference history for the Bulls, but for the program as well. Well, after a trip down memory lane, it's time to get back in the car, load up all the souvenirs we got, and head to the next stop on the road trip, Villanova University.

Rocky is a great driver, but his taste in music is questionable at best. Why are we listening to Katy Perry all the way to Nova?

The second stop on the ultimate Big East road trip will take us to Radnor Township, about 141 miles (2 hours and 51 minutes) and the home of the Wildcats and our good friend @miggyflavored!

Villanova is a beautiful university.

The Township of Radnor is a very small, just over 30,000 in population, but home of some of the most rabid fans in the country. Since I was a kid, I have watched players such as Scottie Reynolds and Randy Foye terrorize opponents and Jay Wright rack up huge wins in the process. But one game still lingers in the minds of USF fans and will forever leave a last impression on the Bulls Nation.

One of the most amazing plays I have ever seen in my life.

It was Last year's Big East tournament. The Bulls, just 9 wins on the season, headed to NYC to take on Villanova in the Big East Tournament. Everyone picked the Wildcats and for good reason, USF was struggling all season to get anything done on the hardwood. The game was close and it looked bleak at the end, but a guard by the name of Anthony Crater came up with what could be one of the biggest baskets in USF history and scored the game winner against the Wildcats in a huge upset win.

I lost my voice yelling after this game and could not believe what I was watching. Crater, who had not been an offensive threat all season, read the play perfectly and got the layup to win the game for the Bulls. USF was not suppose to win this game, but somehow, Crater came through for the improbable win. Even though the game was not played at Nova, the chance of going to their home court after a game like that will stir emotions on both sides of the court. I'm sure Miggy still has nightmares of that game as well. Now it's time to pack up the car and continue the road trip.

Rocky finally changed the music, but now we have to listen to Justin Bieber, this is not going to end well...

The final stage of the road trip, this time we head to New York City and St. John's University (just another 106 miles and another 2 hours, thank goodness the S60 is just a great driving car right?). The road trip has been epic so far and what better stop at the end of it to stop in the city that never sleeps and the home of the Big East tournament!

There are so many things to see in NYC, starting with Times Square, the Empire State Building, and of course the Statue of Liberty. But for the basketball fan and the biggest fan of the Big East, there is one landmark that stands out more than any of them.

Rocky is excited to be in NYC and at the most famous basketball court in the world.

Madison Square Garden might be the most famous basketball court in the world and is the home of the St. John's Red Storm. Under Steve Lavin, the Storm is tough team to face, but playing in that stadium like this one where so many of the Big East legend's have played, names like Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, and others (just take a look at the legends that have played on that court) it is the ultimate dream for a fan, especially the Biggest Big East Fan. New York is the last but the greatest stop on this epic road trip.

So there you have it, my 3 ultimate college town stops for my road trip adventure. Each city and university is rich in history and its own unique destination. The history that USF has with each location makes it a great place to stop as well. Tell me what you think about these locations!