Feb. 23, 2005
It was sad to hear the news. It certainly was a tough break for Marquette and Travis Diener.

	Diener averaged 19.7 points and 7.0 assists a game this season.

The senior guard was lost for the season after suffering two broken fingers on his left hand during a non-contact drill in practice on Tuesday.

Diener was the heart and soul of the Golden Eagles basketball team. What a special player; talk about an All-Rambo guy, a defensive dynamo who loved playing within the team concept. He was all about the good things in college basketball … just ask Tom Crean!

Diener's a guy who wasn't afraid to fail, someone who wanted the ball in the late-game situation. He wanted to try to make the big play, making him a flat out winner.

It is a big loss for Marquette, but also a big loss for college basketball. Diener represents everything that is good about the college game. He is a genuine student athlete, who is respected for his work ethic. He receives nothing but praise anywhere he goes because of the effort he gives.

You know you will always get 110 percent when Diener is on the floor.

He is a kid with a terrific heart. Players dream of playing with a guy like him, the ideal teammate.

I wish him a speedy recovery. In the meantime, the hopes of Marquette in seeking an NCAA bid have taken a major hit.

Tough break for college basketball, for Marquette, and all the fans who enjoyed watching a competitor like Diener.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question to Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.