NEW YORK – Georgetown vs. Syracuse. The rivalry lives on in the context of the Big East just a little longer.
The semifinals are set for the 2013 Big East Tournament, and the first one that set up had many people buzzing. Georgetown and Syracuse will have one last game while both are members of the Big East, which is only fitting considering this is the last Big East Tournament as we know it. That game will be a tough act to follow, but Louisville and Notre Dame will try to do that. Considering the Cardinals and Fighting Irish produced the most thrilling game of the season to date when they went to five overtimes, we know they are capable.
Some quick hitters from Thursday’s games:
- There was a lot of talk around the arena that Friday night will be perhaps the toughest ticket ever for the Big East Tournament. No doubt, the first game being Georgetown vs. Syracuse is a big reason for that as this will be their last meeting within the context of the Big East.
- Otto Porter Jr. didn’t have his best game of the year for Georgetown, but he probably set the stage for the help he got. He scored a game-high 18 points, but was just 3-9 from the field while making all 11 free throws. Meanwhile, Markel Starks had 14 points on 6-10 shooting and D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera continued his emergence by scoring 13 points on 5-11 shooting.
- Porter is getting lots of attention, and while it helps the other Hoyas it’s not quite as simple as that. The offense Georgetown runs is largely a read offense, where you see what the defense is giving you as you move the ball. So attention on Porter does open up chances for others, but it’s all in the same flow of the offense and would happen if someone else gets going.”We don’t just say, hey, it’s Otto,” said Starks. “No, we play as a team. We play as a unit. We’re going to continue to do that, and we will continue to get better.”
- Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin spent a good deal of time talking about a bigger picture of college athletics, which is another story for another time. But it’s worth locking on to one aspect of the conference maneuvers that is most unfortunate and that he touched on only briefly: the fan experience.”If I was a fan, I’d be very disenchanted,” said Cronin. “The fact that we’re sitting here and this is the last Big East Tournament is beyond ridiculous. This is the greatest tradition in college athletics, this tournament, at one site for over 30-something years.”
- James Southerland set a tournament record for the most three-pointers without a miss by going 6-6 from long range. He was 7-10 from the field for his 20 points, and that came a day after he went 6-9 from long range.”I didn’t realize I was 6 for 6 until I looked down at the paper now,” said the senior forward. “I don’t think about it. I just go out and play and make sure I make every shot.”
- While Southerland’s numbers stand out, Michael Carter-Williams came up big down the stretch. He hit four free throws and made a key steal to seal the game late by stepping into the passing lane.
- Pittsburgh is known for its defense, but you wouldn’t have known it in the first half of Thursday’s game. Syracuse shot 53.3 percent from the field, including 8-13 from long range. Pittsburgh beat the Orange on the glass 40-28, but that was largely on the strength of 20 offensive rebounds, which tells you they certainly had their chances in this one.”Simply put, the first half we didn’t play our defense,” said head coach Jamie Dixon. “That dug the hole for us.”
- Louisville and Villanova combined for 29 turnovers in the first half, with Villanova committing 18 of them. They were better in the second half, with Villanova finishing with 25 turnovers and Louisville with 19.
- Louisville was delayed coming to the post-game press conference because they got a visit from former President Bill Clinton, who took in the game. Rick Pitino said Clinton shared stories “not only about basketball, but Senegal, where Gorgui (Dieng) is from.”
- One of the keys to Notre Dame’s win over Marquette was the turnover margin, as Marquette’s 16 turnovers to Notre Dame’s seven helped offset Marquette’s 42-31 rebounding edge.
