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The Daily OrangeMBB Villanova | DASHED: Syracuse's NCAA Tournament hopes are ended as hot shooting propels Villanova
By Zach Schonbrun
Posted: 3/12/08, 7:21 PM EST Section: Sports
NEW YORK - Bleary-eyed and hushed to a whisper, Donte Greene tried burying his face in a towel. But he just couldn't escape Wednesday's biting reality.
"There's no way we're making it," Greene said, referring to the NCAA Tournament that has captivated the minds of Syracuse fans and players alike practically since the start of the season.
March Madness hopes have indeed been dashed for the Orange in a loss, 82-63, to Villanova in the first round of the Big East tournament Wednesday afternoon. It was a shocking and sudden collapse of a season-long fight for a spot in the NCAAs.
In the cold, locker-less locker room here in the burrows of Madison Square Garden, despondency clung to the walls as SU players fought tears trying to explain what transpired on court.
Or what the future - whatever is left of it - still has to offer for the 2007-08 Orange.
In a different locker room, Villanova smiled at its fortune of being able to say it survived to play another day.
The Wildcats shot an incredible 65.4 percent from the field in the second half - including a mind-numbing 8-for-10 from 3-point range - en route to an eventual blowout. Villanova, the No. 8 seed searching for its own Tourney bid, moves on to face top-seeded Georgetown on Thursday night.
It's likely all over for Syracuse, which probably needed at least a win today to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. Though the seeds won't be announced until Sunday, SU should be resigned to the fact it will be in its second-consecutive NIT, just the second time that's happened in the Jim Boeheim era.
It's no consolation, though, and not a destination the Orange wanted to realize at the end of this season.
"Everything is about the NCAA. In my mind, in their mind, if they're not in the NCAA Tournament it's not a good season," Boeheim said. "That's just the way it is."
Greene scored 17 points but was just 2-for-10 from the field in the second half. Paul Harris scored just three of his 13 points after halftime. Point guard Jonny Flynn - named Big East co-Rookie of the Year the night before - scored 16. Center Arinze Onuaku took only three shots for four points.
"There's no way we're making it," Greene said, referring to the NCAA Tournament that has captivated the minds of Syracuse fans and players alike practically since the start of the season.
March Madness hopes have indeed been dashed for the Orange in a loss, 82-63, to Villanova in the first round of the Big East tournament Wednesday afternoon. It was a shocking and sudden collapse of a season-long fight for a spot in the NCAAs.
In the cold, locker-less locker room here in the burrows of Madison Square Garden, despondency clung to the walls as SU players fought tears trying to explain what transpired on court.
Or what the future - whatever is left of it - still has to offer for the 2007-08 Orange.
In a different locker room, Villanova smiled at its fortune of being able to say it survived to play another day.
The Wildcats shot an incredible 65.4 percent from the field in the second half - including a mind-numbing 8-for-10 from 3-point range - en route to an eventual blowout. Villanova, the No. 8 seed searching for its own Tourney bid, moves on to face top-seeded Georgetown on Thursday night.
It's likely all over for Syracuse, which probably needed at least a win today to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. Though the seeds won't be announced until Sunday, SU should be resigned to the fact it will be in its second-consecutive NIT, just the second time that's happened in the Jim Boeheim era.
It's no consolation, though, and not a destination the Orange wanted to realize at the end of this season.
"Everything is about the NCAA. In my mind, in their mind, if they're not in the NCAA Tournament it's not a good season," Boeheim said. "That's just the way it is."
Greene scored 17 points but was just 2-for-10 from the field in the second half. Paul Harris scored just three of his 13 points after halftime. Point guard Jonny Flynn - named Big East co-Rookie of the Year the night before - scored 16. Center Arinze Onuaku took only three shots for four points.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Marc LeVine
posted 3/13/08 @ 8:46 AM EST
I guess we have to wait and see who we play in the NIT. Hopefully, we are not too deflated by this loss and can advance towards the semifinals of that tournament. (Continued…)
g33k
posted 3/13/08 @ 10:34 AM EST
Marc is so optimistic. Although i can agree they should be a better team next year. More problems will arise. Playing time will be cut and egos might get the better of their games. (Continued…)
Pat Brennan
posted 3/13/08 @ 2:19 PM EST
I for one hope that Nova has put us out of our misery. We had our games (Georgetown etc) and acquitted ourselves fine for a freshman team, but our inconsistency and sloppy play did us in. (Continued…)
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