Getty ImagesThat was the story for the Big East Conference elite.
Syracuse, Pitt and Villanova spent two months establishing superiority and two days waiting to play their first games in the Big East tournament. Two sessions later, they all were eliminated after a wild Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
The only survivor of the Big East's top four seeds was No. 3 West Virginia, and that took a buzzer-beating, 3-point bank shot.
Da'Sean Butler's buzzer-beater helped West Virginia become the only favorite to win.
Syracuse
What happened: The No. 1 seed Orange (28-4) lost to Georgetown, a team it had dominated in two prior meetings.
What it means: The Orange had cause to be concerned about a defense that allowed 52 percent shooting over the past two games — but was far more anxious about a knee injury to center Arinze Onuaku, who went down with 5 minutes left of the 91-84 loss to Georgetown.
Onuaku has had two knee surgeries to address problems in his quadriceps tendon. Team physician Dr. Irving Raphael told the Syracuse Post-Standard that Onuaku indicated the injury was in that area. He'll have an MRI on Friday.
"I'm expecting him to play. Unless there is a surprise," Raphael told the paper.
Pitt
What happened: The No. 2 seed Panthers (24-8) became the victim of Notre Dame's sixth consecutive victory since switching to its new "Burn" offense, in which the Irish run down the shot clock on every possession.
What it means: Pitt made its deepest NCAA Tournament run under coach Jamie Dixon last season — when the Panthers made a rare first-game exit from the Big East. Is that an omen?
Villanova
What happened: No. 4 seed Villanova (24-7) lost for the sixth time in the past 10 games, 80-76 to Marquette.
What it means: The Wildcats, who started 20-1, are feeling the wear of having closed with 11 of the final 12 games against NCAA Tournament contenders.
Obviously, the Wildcats will play only NCAA teams from here on, but the week off might help. Of course, an extra couple days off didn't help in this tournament.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Beyond the Arc: No. 11 Michigan State ends No. 3 Ohio State's 39-game home winning streak with a 58-48 victory.
Slideshow |
College hoops power rankings A look at the top teams in college basketball based on performance and potential. NBCSports.com |
Latest from Beyond the Arc |
Five up, five down from college hoops’ huge day4 hr 55 min ago Michigan State sure shook up Big Ten by beating Buckeyes5 hr 40 min ago UNLV’s thrilling win vs. SDSU adds spice to MWC race10 hr 8 min ago |
College basketball videos |
Highlights: No. 14 UNLV 65, No. 13 SDSU 63 Mike Moser scored 19 points, and UNLV forced three turnovers in the final 42 seconds to win. |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |