One surprising result, one that was halfway to a surprising result, and one that I think we can file under "I believe I had that one."
Providence 54, #17 Cincinnati 50 - The "Big East teams struggle at home" thing has really turned around, hasn't it? No one's going to put the video of this one in any kind of Hall Of Fame, as neither team managed even a point per possession. But Kadeem Batts went for 25 points and nine rebounds, and Lee Goldsbrough forced Sean Kilpatrick into a backcourt violation with two seconds left, and the Friars picked up their fourth conference win. It was a big one, too, as the win combined with the result of the Louisville-Rutgers game moved Providence out of the opening day of the Big East tournament, at least for now. Kilpatrick led the Bearcats in scoring with 13.
St. John's 71, Connecticut 65 - Here's what I wrote about this game in this week's Big East Big Five:
The Huskies may not be eligible for postseason play, but teams on the edge of the NCAA tournament, like the Red Storm, can't afford to lose to a team with the Huskies' profile.
And they didn't. I believe I had that one.
It was close, though. St. John's did blow a 10 point lead out to 15 points before the Huskies went on a 15-1 run to make things interesting, and even took a lead on two Ryan Boatright free throws with 4:30 remaining. But the Huskies let the Red Storm wrap things up at the line, as SJU drained 11 of 12 free throws in the last 2:30. You can check in for more with Rumble In The Garden.
#11 Louisville 68, Rutgers 48 - This one is more fun if we talk about the first half, where Peyton Siva gave the Cardinals a two point lead with two free throws with five seconds left. Wally Judge tied it back up with the first basket of the second half, and then UL went on a 23-2 run, giving them a 21 point lead with just over 11 minutes left. Wayne Blackshear came off the bench to score 19 for the Cardinals, while Eli Carter had 13 to lead the Scarlet Knights. Card Chronicle and On The Banks go in depth for you.