Big East Tournament 2012: UConn Strengthens NCAA Case with Win over WVU
The Connecticut Huskies aren't completely free of the NCAA Tournament bubble just yet and, frankly, they won't be unless they go all the way through the Big East Tournament.
Their thrilling 71-67 victory in overtime should prove to be an important step toward securing a spot in the upcoming Big Dance.
On the one hand, the win kept UConn's bid alive to replicate last year's miracle run that saw the Huskies win five games in five days before riding that momentum into a national title.
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It also gives Jim Calhoun's club another feather to slip in their cap for the Selection Committee, alongside victories over Florida State, Harvard and Notre Dame from their schedule—considered the toughest in the nation.
On the other hand, Wednesday's decision renders West Virginia's case for the Big Dance that much weaker, thereby giving the powers-that-be more reason for pause when weighing Connecticut's resume against that of a team the Huskies beat twice this season.
Of course, it doesn't hurt the Huskies' case that they're the defending champs, with a history of rewarding the Selection Committee for their inclusion in March Madness with deep runs through the field.
Nor would it hurt to continue this Cinderella reprise with a win over second-ranked Syracuse on Thursday.
The Huskies nearly scored an upset the last time these two long-time rivals met, with Jim Boeheim's boys staving off defeat with a block by C.J. Fair on a last-second shot from Roscoe Smith.
The key to success for UConn rests with its front court, which has been inconsistent, at best, this season.
The Huskies certainly have the talent—between Andre Drummond, Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith—to contend with the Orange's big guys, not to mention a trio of guards (Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright) that are as good as you'll find in college basketball today.
Whether they can put it all together against one of the nation's top teams remains to be seen.
For now, the Huskies can be happy that they've lived to play another day and a return to the tournament is well within their reach.
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