Butler Takes Down Nova For Second Time
The Villanova Wildcats have been fairly successful in their national title defense, until they go up against Butler. The 22nd-ranked Bulldogs upset the second-ranked Wildcats for a second time this season on Wednesday night on the road, 74-66. After trailing by one at the half, Butler went on a stunning 18-0 second half run to pull away from Nova. Kelan Martin had 22 points to fuel the rally, as the Bulldogs snapped the Wildcats' 48-game home win streak. Kamar Baldwin added 15 points, as Butler as now handed the defending champs two of their three losses this year. Jalen Brunson had 24 points, while senior, Josh Hart, scored 18 in the first home loss of his career. Despite the tough defeat, the Wildcats have already clinched at least a share of their fourth straight Big East Championship.
UNC Extends ACC Lead With Win Over Louisville
It was a heated matchup at Chapel Hill on Wednesday night, but it was No. 8 North Carolina who extended their lead in the ACC standings with a 74-63 win over No. 7 Louisville. Justin Jackson led the way with 21 points, helping the Tar Heels pull away after leading by just three at halftime. The Tar Heels shot just 37 percent from the field, but shooting 39 percent from three helped, as they also out-rebounded the Cardinals by 13. On the other end, Louisville made just 5-of-20 three-pointers, as well as 4-of-13 from the free throw line. A 13-3 second half run helped the Tar Heels begin to run away with things, as they lead by as many as 17 on the night. Donovan Mitchell scored 21 points for the Cardinals in the tough conference loss.
Syracuse Upsets Duke at the Buzzer
The Syracuse Orange picked up the best win of their season on Wednesday night, as John Gillon nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer for a 78-75 victory over No. 10 Duke. What made this win that much sweeter was doing it on their home floor, in front of a crowd of 30,331. Gillon is having himself a year to remember, as he hit another buzzer-beater to force overtime against NC State last week. His career-high 43 points lead to a victory then, as he is keeping the Orange's postseason hopes alive. Gillon had 26 points in Wednesday's thriller, as the Orange improved to 9-7 in ACC play. The win snaps Syracuse's three-game losing streak in which all losses were by six points or fewer. Their victory also snaps Duke's seven-game win streak, as Jim Boeheim's team took down a top-10 opponent for the second time this year. Following the loss, the Blue Devils now sit a game behind UNC for first place in the ACC.
The Villanova Wildcats have been fairly successful in their national title defense, until they go up against Butler. The 22nd-ranked Bulldogs upset the second-ranked Wildcats for a second time this season on Wednesday night on the road, 74-66. After trailing by one at the half, Butler went on a stunning 18-0 second half run to pull away from Nova. Kelan Martin had 22 points to fuel the rally, as the Bulldogs snapped the Wildcats' 48-game home win streak. Kamar Baldwin added 15 points, as Butler as now handed the defending champs two of their three losses this year. Jalen Brunson had 24 points, while senior, Josh Hart, scored 18 in the first home loss of his career. Despite the tough defeat, the Wildcats have already clinched at least a share of their fourth straight Big East Championship.
UNC Extends ACC Lead With Win Over Louisville
It was a heated matchup at Chapel Hill on Wednesday night, but it was No. 8 North Carolina who extended their lead in the ACC standings with a 74-63 win over No. 7 Louisville. Justin Jackson led the way with 21 points, helping the Tar Heels pull away after leading by just three at halftime. The Tar Heels shot just 37 percent from the field, but shooting 39 percent from three helped, as they also out-rebounded the Cardinals by 13. On the other end, Louisville made just 5-of-20 three-pointers, as well as 4-of-13 from the free throw line. A 13-3 second half run helped the Tar Heels begin to run away with things, as they lead by as many as 17 on the night. Donovan Mitchell scored 21 points for the Cardinals in the tough conference loss.
Syracuse Upsets Duke at the Buzzer
The Syracuse Orange picked up the best win of their season on Wednesday night, as John Gillon nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer for a 78-75 victory over No. 10 Duke. What made this win that much sweeter was doing it on their home floor, in front of a crowd of 30,331. Gillon is having himself a year to remember, as he hit another buzzer-beater to force overtime against NC State last week. His career-high 43 points lead to a victory then, as he is keeping the Orange's postseason hopes alive. Gillon had 26 points in Wednesday's thriller, as the Orange improved to 9-7 in ACC play. The win snaps Syracuse's three-game losing streak in which all losses were by six points or fewer. Their victory also snaps Duke's seven-game win streak, as Jim Boeheim's team took down a top-10 opponent for the second time this year. Following the loss, the Blue Devils now sit a game behind UNC for first place in the ACC.
