What's that you say? UConn and Syracuse playing in a Big East Tournament game? No, I couldn't imagine it.
You know the stories, or at least you will by the time ESPN gets to the under-16 today. These teams have met in the Big East tournament four times since 2006. The first meeting was part of Gerry McNamara's miracle run. The 2009 tussle went to six overtimes. Last year, UConn got their revenge in the Big East semis. In total the four games have had eight overtimes and created countless memories. No one knows what today's game has in store, but the promise of a classic is always there.
This will be the third time UConn and Syracuse have squared off this season. The first was a close game at the Carrier Dome that turned into a late route. The second featured a furious Husky comeback and some suspect referring as Syracuse escaped a rollicking Gampel Pavilion with a two-point win. The Orange took the first two, but UConn didn't have Jim Calhoun on the sidelines in either. He'll be there today, and that will make a difference for the Huskies -- the question is how big of a difference it'll make.
There are other factors in play as well. UConn will be worn down, playing their third game in three days, with yesterday's affair being an emotional comeback that ended in overtime. Syracuse, for their part, has not played since Saturday and teams with a double-bye in this tournament have been known to start slow. And oh yeah, there's the matter of Yahoo! investigating a drug scandal at the school. Sure, it does not involve any current players, but the potential for distraction is there.
The game tips off at noon from Madison Square Garden. ESPN has your television coverage. This is your OpenThread. As you read this I'm stuck in the middle of a classroom taking an exam, but I'll join you when I can. In the meantime leave your comments below, and, as always, Go Huskies.