Big East recap 12/20 & 12/21

#3 Pitt overcomes poor shooting holding off Florida State

In their first true road game of the year, the #3 Pittsburgh Panthers pushed their unbeaten streak to 11-0 after overcoming a subpar 33.3% shooting from the field to hold off the Florida State Seminoles, who won all six of their home games before Sunday’s meeting, 56-48

Preseason Big East Player of the Year Sam Young shined as he was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points and grabbing seven rebounds. The 6-foot-6 senior forward, hit two critical baskets in the final 1:51: a tip-in that broke a 48-48 tie and a jump shot with a minute left that gave the Panthers a 52-48 advantage.

Last year’s Big East Freshman of the Year DeJuan Blair recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Blair also had five steals.

Toney Douglas was the Tribe’s leading scorer with 20 points on 6-15 shooting, but it was the lack of support that the Noles didn’t provide that left the Noles with the short end of the stick. No other starter scored more than six points or made more than one field goal. Among the eight players that saw impactful game-time, there were only a total of eight field goals made, without Douglas being included.

The Seminoles (11-2) suffered their second loss on the season and don’t have time to catch their breath as they take on Western Kentucky next at the Orange Bowl Classic December 28 th, then begin conference after the New Year when they host Duke.

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Butler leads Mountaineers over Miami (OH)

Da’Sean Butler had 28 points on 11-17 shooting, including five three pointers, to lead the West Virginia Mountaineers over the Redhawks of Miami-Ohio 82-46.

Back from his shoulder injury, Alex Ruoff never seemed to miss a beat connecting on six of his nine field goal attempts for 15 points. Ruoff also recorded four rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks.

The Mountaineers (8-2) shot an even 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point land (12-30) and 80% (8-10) from the charity stripe. The West Virginia defense was able to hold the Redhawks (6-4) to under 37% from the field and forcing 26 turnovers.

UConn overcomes late deficit holding off #8 Gonzaga in OT

Guard AJ Price scored a season-high 24 points, including an improbable 3-pointer that sent the would-be victory into overtime, edging the No.8 Gonzaga Bulldogs 88-82.

The Huskies' senior leader was recently back from knee surgery and he couldn’t of picked a better time. Price took over late and brought his teammates with him by handing out a career-high 10 assists. He led UConn (10-0) from 11 down with 12 minutes remaining inside sold-out Key Arena.

Teammate Jerome Dyson scored six of his 21 points in the extra period while off the bench Gavin Edwards recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Gonzaga’s leading scorer came in Stephen Gray who shot 10-16 from the field for 23 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four helpers.

Three of the Bulldogs starters reached double digits. Austin Daye had 13 points and five assists, Josh Heytvelt had 15 points on only eight shots, and Jeremy Pargo had 16 points, four assists, and two steals.

#11 Syracuse uses patented zone defense to shut down #21 Memphis

Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim has been teaching the 2-3 zone since he arrived at the university.

"Our main focus was to keep them outside the arc, and let them try to beat us at the 3-point line” said Syracuse swingman Andy Rautins.

The Memphis Tigers fell to 6-3 on the year defeated by the #11 Syracuse Orange 72-65 on Saturday night. It was the Tiger third loss in their last five games.

The Tigers shot a horrific 7-33 (21.2%) from 3-point land. Robert Sallie benefited the most from the newly adjusted long range mark connecting on four of his six attempts, but on the whole, the Tigers struggled.

Memphis took 13 more field goal attempts, outrebounded the ‘Cuse by 12 and even saw Syracuse shoot 12-26 from the free throw line, but still wound up short. No player scored over 12 points.

Minnesota downs #9 Louisville, off to best start in more than 30 years

Off to its best start in 32 years, Minnesota finally has a signature victory.

Al Nolen scored 18 points, 13 from the free-throw line, and the Golden Gophers upset No. 9 Louisville 70-64 on Saturday to improve to 10-0. This was only the second game away from Minneapolis for the Gophers, who have feasted on a soft nonconference schedule. They're off to their best start since 11-0 in 1976-77. "This game really means a lot to us, but it's just one game," Nolen said. "We've still got to move forward to the next game." Nolen also had five rebounds, five assists and only one turnover in 36 high-octane minutes, and he made a fan out of Louisville coach Rick Pitino

For Louisville (7-2) it was a struggled shooting the ball no matter where the shots were taken. 37% from the field, 23% from 3-point range, and 60% from the charity stripe only lead to a six point victory for the undefeated Golden Gophers.

Terrence Williams led the Cards with 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists while Earl Clark scored a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Jerry Smith also had 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Boston College takes down interconference Providence

Josh Southern grabbed a key rebound, sank a pair of free throws, blocked a shot and then hit another two free throws -- all in the final 10.7 seconds -- to lead Boston College to a 81-76 victory over Providence on Saturday.

Tyrese Rice scored 20, and Joe Trapani added 18 for the Eagles (9-2), who saw their 12-point lead with 3:17 left cut to two points in the final 32 seconds. Then Southern took over, sinking 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch and stopping Providence (7-4) on defense as well.

Jeff Xavier scored 16 and Geoff McDermott had eight points and 11 rebounds for Providence, which never led in the game despite a too-late rally to cut a 66-52 deficit to 76-74 in final minute.

*Information from the Associated Press was used

By Al Buzzelli
BigEast-fans.com Staff Writer

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