NEW YORK -- Demetris Nichols scored 28 points, hitting seven 3-pointers, and Eric Devendorf added 19 points to help fifth-seeded Syracuse beat Connecticut 78-65 in the opening round of the Big East tournament Wednesday and bolster its case for an at-large bid to the NCAAs.
The Orange (22-9), who have won the last two Big East tournaments, didn't need any last-second magic to beat Connecticut this year.
Coach Jim Boeheim's team made history in the 2006 tournament when the Orange won it all as the ninth seed behind a remarkable week for senior guard Gerry McNamara. He hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation and overtime to help the Orange upset top-seeded Connecticut on the way to the title.
It was the first time a team took the title by winning four games, and it was Syracuse's fifth Big East championship.
On Wednesday, the Orange used a 25-8 run to start the second half and turn a two-point deficit into a 61-46 lead with 11:14 left. Nichols scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers during the spurt.
Two minutes later, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun received a technical foul after arguing a traveling violation. Visibly frustrated, Calhoun kicked the scorer's table. The Huskies could get no closer than 10 the rest of the way.
Boeheim and Calhoun, two Hall of Fame coaches, have a combined for 1,497 wins.
"When you think about the history and tradition of the league and see Syracuse and Connecticut and the league's two Hall of Fame coaches going at it on the first day, it's pretty staggering," said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, who will face Syracuse in the quarterfinal on Thursday.
Jerome Dyson scored 21 points to lead Connecticut (17-14), which won't play in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001. A.J Price added 11 for the Huskies.
Connecticut entered the Big East tournament as the No. 12 seed -- its lowest ever. The inexperienced Huskies were the No. 11 seed in 1997 and were trying to salvage a tough season that started with a Top 25 ranking.
Dyson scored 12 points in the first half to help Connecticut build its small lead. Devendorf kept the Orange in the game, scoring 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
Syracuse debuted new tight-fitting uniforms designed by Nike that had large color blocking on the shorts, reminiscent of the 1970s Orangemen.
For complete coverage, including staff writer Ryan Day's analysis from Madison Square Garden, read Thursday's edition of The Citizen.
Coach Jim Boeheim's team made history in the 2006 tournament when the Orange won it all as the ninth seed behind a remarkable week for senior guard Gerry McNamara. He hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation and overtime to help the Orange upset top-seeded Connecticut on the way to the title.
It was the first time a team took the title by winning four games, and it was Syracuse's fifth Big East championship.
On Wednesday, the Orange used a 25-8 run to start the second half and turn a two-point deficit into a 61-46 lead with 11:14 left. Nichols scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers during the spurt.
Two minutes later, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun received a technical foul after arguing a traveling violation. Visibly frustrated, Calhoun kicked the scorer's table. The Huskies could get no closer than 10 the rest of the way.
Boeheim and Calhoun, two Hall of Fame coaches, have a combined for 1,497 wins.
"When you think about the history and tradition of the league and see Syracuse and Connecticut and the league's two Hall of Fame coaches going at it on the first day, it's pretty staggering," said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, who will face Syracuse in the quarterfinal on Thursday.
Jerome Dyson scored 21 points to lead Connecticut (17-14), which won't play in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001. A.J Price added 11 for the Huskies.
Connecticut entered the Big East tournament as the No. 12 seed -- its lowest ever. The inexperienced Huskies were the No. 11 seed in 1997 and were trying to salvage a tough season that started with a Top 25 ranking.
Dyson scored 12 points in the first half to help Connecticut build its small lead. Devendorf kept the Orange in the game, scoring 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
Syracuse debuted new tight-fitting uniforms designed by Nike that had large color blocking on the shorts, reminiscent of the 1970s Orangemen.
For complete coverage, including staff writer Ryan Day's analysis from Madison Square Garden, read Thursday's edition of The Citizen.
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