After splitting in New York, the SEC and Big East move their feud South to Tampa for its second and final night.
SEC vs Big East Night Two: No. 7 Syracuse, No. 10 Florida To Decide Orange And Blue Supremacy
Much like on Wednesday, Thursday’s first game between Mississippi State and DePaul is clearly the undercard. The Bulldogs are playing in the SEC/Big East Invitational for the second season in a row, making them the only SEC team to appear in the event twice. Shame on you for not signing up for this season, Arkansas. But with the way things are going in Fayetteville, maybe it’s for the best.
The Bulldogs-Blue Demons matchup originally promised an interesting battle of big men. That all changed when DePaul forward Mac Koshwal injured his left foot during his team's 57-53 loss to Tennessee in the Paradise Jam semifinals. Now, the Blue Demons will struggle to stop Miss State's rebounding and blocking machine, Jarvis Varnado.
The nightcap should be a thriller, as two of the nation’s most surprising teams meet. Seventh-ranked Syracuse leaves the state of New York for the only time outside of Big East play. They head south to face 10th-ranked Florida in the Gators’ backyard.
In his game preview over at Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, Sean Keeley writes that this game is significant for the Orange.
Win, and you justify the hype, high ranking and Hoops Weiss’ first-place vote. Lose and doubts begin to creep in about whether or not SU can beat a truly good team or win away from New York.
Keeley goes on to talk about the similarities in the team's seasons. Each flew under the radar in the preseason; both have wins over one of last year's National Finalists on a neutral court; and each has an impact transfer who has replaced a player who left for the pros (Wesley Johnson for Syracuse, Vernon Macklin for Georgetown).
Might I also add that both are hesitant to travel during the early part of the season and have a similar color scheme.
The crowd will be pro-Florida, but expect to see some Orange fans in the crowd. There are enough Syracuse alums/fans in the Tampa Bay area to give the crowds for SU’s semi-regular Big East meetings with USF a significant Upstate New York flavor.
You can follow both games of the doubleheader here on SB Nation.
FINAL: Mississippi State 76, DePaul 45
While the Blue Demons struggled offensively, five Bulldogs hit double figures as Mississippi State claimed a second SEC win in the series..
FINAL: No. 7 Syracuse 85, No. 10 Florida 73
Rick Jackson and Wes Johnson each had double doubles as the Orange defeated the Gators.
Orange game discussion at Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Gator game discussion at Alligator Army
Outside of the action along the shores of Tampa Bay, it’s a relatively quiet night of televised action. For a rundown of Thursday’s televised games, visit Blogging the Bracket.
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