The No. 2-ranked Syracuse Orange men's basketball team found out who they're playing in the third round of the 2012 Big East Tournament, as the Connecticut Huskies defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers, 70-67, in overtime during the first game of Wednesday's second round. The Huskies, the No. 9 seed, were led by sophomore guard Shabazz Napier's 26 points and six assists.
The result advances UConn (20-12) to day three of the five-day, single-elimination event at Madison Square Garden and sets up the third meeting with Syracuse this season. The Orange (30-1) already defeated the Huskies, 85-67, Feb. 11, and 71-69, Feb. 25.
Obviously, the end results of those games have fostered some hard feelings from UConn, which defeated Syracuse in last year's Big East Tournament quarterfinals -- we all remember what happened from there.
However, last year's game will not be talked as much as 2009's epic six-overtime thriller against UConn that ended with the Orange winning 127-117.
Syracuse vs Connecticut Recap March 12 2009 (via bendreizehn)
In the history of the Big East Tournament, these two program have meet a bunch of times. Here's a rundown of the history and results:
2011: UConn 76, Syracuse 71 (OT) -- Semifinals
2009: Syracuse 127, UConn 117 (6OT) -- Quartefinals
2007: Syracuse 78, UConn 65 -- First Round
2006: Syracuse 96, UConn 84 (OT) -- Quarterfinals
2005: Syracuse 67, UConn 63 -- Quarterfinals
2003: UConn 80, Syracuse 67 -- Semifinals
2001: Syracuse 86, UConn 75 -- First Round
1999: UConn 71, Syracuse 50 -- Semifinals
1998: UConn 69, Syracuse 64 -- Championship
1996: UConn 85, Syracuse 67 -- Semifinals
1990: UConn 78, Syracuse 75 -- Championship
1984: Syracuse 73, UConn 58 -- Quarterfinals
1980: Syracuse 92, UConn 61 -- Semifinals
For those keeping score: Syracuse 7, UConn 6
All-in-all, whenever these two schools meet up in the Big East Championship Tournament it's going to be a good show. So, enjoy!
Be sure to check back to this StoryStream for the latest news on Syracuse basketball. For more on the Orange, visit the SB Nation blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, while The Smoking Musket everything on the Mountaineers. Make sure to follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY or JaredSmithCNY.