| Big East Conference Finals Recap | |||
 |
Recap by Jim Woods No. 2 Connecticut 61 vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh 58 Can you say ESPN Instant Classic? That is the best way I can describe last night’s dramatic Big East Final between Connecticut and Pittsburgh. It started with the emotional return of Huskie Emeka Okafor and did not let down once the game began. The outcome was truly in doubt to the final horn went off. Connecticut jumped out to an early 13-2 lead, seemingly inspired by the return of Okafor. Pitt, being a team of seasoned veterans, did not wilt and quickly got right back into the game. In fact, the Panthers responded with a 12-0 run of their own to take a 14-13 lead at the 10:17 mark. Pitt would continue to put the clamps on the Huskies defensively while getting out in transition a bit themselves to take control of the game. Carl Krauser was putting on a show for the Panthers at the point, and it looked like early in the second half Pitt was going to grab the title and a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. But as Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast my friend.” Connecticut is too good and too talented to go away in this situation. After Pitt reserve Antonio Graves canned a three-point shot with 8:25 to give the Panthers an 11-point lead, the Huskies made their surge. Yesterday I wrote that Julius Page would do a good job defensively on Ben Gordon, and for 32 minutes he did just that. But at the eight-minute mark, Gordon came alive. Over the next eight minutes he put on a performance that will be remembered for the next 25 years of Big East Tournament play. Gordon scored 11 of his 23 points during this span including the game-winning jumper with :39 seconds remaining on a beautiful pull-up jumper. Pitt had two chances to win the game in their ensuing possession, but both Krauser and Mark McCarroll missed potential winning shots. Who else but Gordon rebounded the McCarroll miss and knocked down two free throws to stretch the margin to three. Pitt had one more chance, but a length of the court pass to Julius Page for a final shot rimmed out. However, Page was inside the three-point line so the shot would only have cut the lead to one. Both teams proved this week that they will be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament and both are good enough to play into April in San Antonio. This was a great Big East Tournament for all involved and I think all six teams (Pitt, Connecticut, Boston College, Syracuse, Seton Hall and Providence) that will be in the “Big Dance” will show very well over the next few weeks. I know I can’t wait to watch it all!
|
||
