The BIG EAST had a chance to grab 2 preseason tournament crowns yesterday - unfortunately, it was an opportunity lost instead of knocked. Georgetown took care of business, but our friends in the hills of West Virginia couldn't quite pull it out vs. Minnesota (you heard me correctly).
After doing some research on them, it looks like Tubby Smith has a team that could actually do something this year. So it's not a bad loss, just one that frustrates me since I'm all for conference pride during the OOC portion of the schedule.
Other than that, it looks like Rutgers may not be as bad as we thought, but Seton Hall is still a mess. New Jersey, baby. Oh yeah, and Syracuse is trying to make their fans' hearts stop.
On to the recaps...
Blak Hoffarber's big 3-pointer helps Minnesota improve to 5-0, win tournament title
Blak Hoffarber hit the game-winning 3 with 1:31 left and the Minnesota Golden Gophers knocked off the West Virginia Mountaineers in the final of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament. Casey Mitchell had 27 for the 'Eers.
Xavier Musketeers 57, Seton Hall Pirates 52
Tu Holloway drilled a 3-pointer while falling out of bounds with 17 seconds left to break a deadlock and hand Xavier the victory in the Paradise Jam Tournament.
Jonathan Mitchell, Dane Miller power Rutgers to win vs. Miami
Are things changing for new coach Mike Rice? The Rutgers Scarlet Knights were phenomenal on defense, holding former Wildcat Malcolm Grant to just 3 points as they punished the Miami Hurricanes 61-45.
South Florida Bulls 76, Georgia Southern Eagles 63
A big game from Augustus Gilchrist (23 points and 7 boards) led the way for USF as they cruised to the 2nd round of the South Padre Island Invitational.
Georgetown pulls away from North Carlolina State to win Charleston Classic
The Georgetown Hoyas took home the Charleston Classic trophy with an 82-67 win over the N.C. State. Wolfpack behind strong performances from Hollis Thompson and Chris Wright.
Syracuse survives scare, edges William & Mary
This kind of play can't be making the Syracuse Orange faithful happy. After a frightening affair with Detroit, Syracuse squeaked one out vs. the William & Mary Tribe 63-60 as the Tribe used a 2-3 zone to stifle the Orange.