Despite Syracuse playing its worst half of basketball in four days, head coach Jim Boeheim still left New York (for the final time) pleased with his team.
Less than eight minutes later, the Cardinals turned that 16 point deficit into a 56-48 lead, thanks to a 27-3 run and a mercilessly attacking full court press. Louisville would go on to a 78-61 win, their third Big East title since 2009.
The Louisville pressure has frustrated opposing offenses all season. It does something very unique by hand checking and bumping with the body consistently down the court.
Syracuse played Louisville in the finals of the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden. It was Syracuse’s final game as a member of the Big East.
Syracuse guard Trevor Cooney supplied the Orange with a surprising 10 points in the first half of their win over Georgetown. SU will play in the Big East Tournament finals against rival Louisville.
Instead of pulling up for his patented left hand floater or attempting a layup that could get blocked, Fair rose and threw down an emphatic jam over the outstretched arms of Porter.
Syracuse won a thrilling semifinal game in overtime against Georgetown on Friday, and will play its final game as a member of the Big East Conference on Saturday in the tournament final.
Two of the least likely suspects came through on Friday night in a big way for #19 Syracuse, as both Trevor Cooney and Baye Moussa Keita came off the bench to score in double figures to help the Orange (26-8) outlast #5 Georgetown in overtime in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament, 58-55.