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Big East Semifinals
Syracuse vs St. John's: Syracuse held Parker Fletcher to 5-15 shooting (18 points), and used 22 from counterpart Jeffrey Bridgewater, as they steamrolled the Johnnies, 89-60. St. John's committed 22 turnovers and shot just 6-24 from 3. Syracuse shot 15-26 from deep, getting five from Bridgewater and four from Teddy Kingston (14 points in 15 minutes). St. John's (18-13) will now await their fate for the NIT, while Syracuse all but guaranteed themselves a NCAA bid.
VIllanova vs Providence: The Wildcats held serve throughout, racing to an early lead, and held a nine-point lead from halftime on. Demetrius Green scored 14, and Donn Smith 16 with six assists, as Nova secured a likely NCAA berth. Providence got 17 from Bruno Harris, an unlikely starter after Charles Northern was hurt in their quarterfinal game. The 17 was a career high for Harris, starting the first game of his career. Providence (21-11) awaits the NIT, where they will likely be a high seed.
Elsewhere, Virginia upset top-seed Maryland, getting into the ACC final as a 5-seed. They will play North Carolina...Temple could steal a bid in the East Coast Conference. Their are projected as in the tournament, with their championship opponent, St. Joe's, the only apparent lock. Top-seed Hofstra, who fell to the Owls in the semis, must await their fate...the toughest ticket in the nation, the Ohio Valley Tournament, saw Western Kentucky beat Eastern Kentucky 68-48 in the title game. The conference could get seven of their eight teams into the Big Dance...Furman upset top-seed Citadel, 65-62, in the Southern title game...most conferences will be adopting a conference tournament within the next three seasons. Right now, there are only five.
Finals - Prediction
1. Syracuse vs 2. Villanova: Well, the monkey is off each of their backs. This game is for the conference, and for seeding in the Big Dance. With a win, Syracuse could secure a six-seed. Villanova is probably capped at an 8. The two split their series. Cuse didn't make their shots against Villanova in Philadelphia, making 39% and turning it over 13 times. Geoffrey Williams and Demetrius Green put the Wildcats on their backs, scoring 17 each in the 67-57 Villanova victory. In Syracuse's victory, Alonzo Davies went off for 20, Franklin Lampley for 16. For Syracuse to win, they need balance. Davies has to have a good game, but so does at least one guard. Otherwise, Villanova will be able to fight a one-front war. For Villanova, the key is Green. If the likely Freshman of the Year shows up, Villanova has a much better chance of winning. If he doesn't, it can be said that the Wildcats are done.
PICK: Syracuse. Davies over The Kids. Villanova's time is coming, but this is the time of the Orangemen.
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