Big East Semifinals Recap

No. 1 Pittsburgh 62 vs. No. 5 Boston College 53
Pittsburgh once again proved why they were the league’s best team in the regular season, by playing their suffocating defense and getting great point guard play out of Carl Krauser. The Panthers trailed BC by four at the half, but quickly fought back to grab an early second half lead. BC would not go away, as star forward Craig Smith continued to his outstanding tournament play dominating the paint. The problem was he had no help on the perimeter. Just like Thursday against Syracuse, the Eagles could not knock down a perimeter shot. Jermaine Watson finally made the Eagles’ first three-point shot in two games with 3:21 remaining to cut the Panther lead to 50-48. However, the Panthers answered with a Chevy Troutman offensive rebound and put back basket to push the lead back to four. The ensuing two possessions were the most critical of the game. Smith made a great power move to the baseline and appeared to draw contact as he missed a layup. There was no whistle on the play, and now the Eagles needed a stop on the defensive end. BC plays excellent defense for the entire possession until Stevie Hailey gets whistled for a very questionable foul as Krauser attempted a three-point shot with :50 seconds remaining. Krauser knocked down all three free throws to push the lead to seven and that was the ball game. We previewed yesterday that Pitt’s guard play would be the difference and we did not lie to you. The Pitt starting backcourt outscored BC 21-4. BC needs to find a perimeter shooter as they move on to the next tournament, and Pitt needs to just stick to the same formula that has now led them to four straight Big East title games.

No. 2 Connecticut 84 vs. No. 11 Villanova 67
Two words are enough to sum up this contest: Ben Gordon. The Huskie junior guard was sensational once again last night dropping in 29 points, but more importantly he did so in the first half on a variety of contested shots that broke the Wildcats’ backs and never gave them the feeling they had a chance to win. Connecticut dominated this game from about the fourteen-minute mark of the first half and never looked back. Villanova could not get into an offensive rhythm, and could only get scoring out of Jason Fraser and Curtis Sumpter in the first half. You thought the Huskies could be vulnerable when Charlie Villanueva pulled up lame on a bad ankle, but his teammates just stpped up their performance. Point guard Taliek Brown contributed 11 points and 10 assits and played a nearly flawless floor game. He is the ultimate team player and a true leader of the Huskies. Villanova got better play out Randy Foye in the second half as he finished with 20 points, however on this night Connecticut would not be denied. They were just too good at all positions and now move on face Pitt for the third consecutive Big East Final.