The Maui Invitational's Tribute To Bill Walton Was Beautiful And A Reminder That There Was No One Better For This Tournament

This is obviously the first Maui Invitational since Bill Walton died during the summer. It's the first time where I really found myself remembering that he had passed away. There was no one and I mean no one more perfect for this event than Bill Walton. You'd find yourself either zoning out at work to pass the time or late night listening to some of these gems: 

The man lived to talk Pac-12 basketball and the Maui Invitational. He was as synonymous with Maui as Bill Raftery is to the Big East. They were the match made in heaven. So today, during the first game of UConn/Memphis, we got a tribute video and the chair he sat in decorated for him. It's perfect. It summed up who Big Wave Billy was. You never wanted him calling a Final Four game for your team, but Maui? Get everyone off the schedule and just let Dave Pasch and Bill Walton call the Maui. That's how all of college basketball fans felt about him out there. 

It's still the best regular season event in college basketball, but it does feel different without him there. Love seeing the announcers wearing the tie dye for him and the tribute he's getting. It's deserved.