Once again, a game comes down to foul trouble, Paschal Chukwu free throws and a last-second three-pointer, and all swing in Syracuse’s favor. Sorry America.
The Syracuse Orange made the NCAA Tournament, to the disbelief of many, likely due to Paschal Chukwu’s nervous heroics against Clemson. Now they’ve won a game, 60-56. And they’re on to face the TCU Horned Frogs in Detroit — again thanks to sweat-inducing moments Chukwu converted in.
Shannon Evans III created all the space in the world, with the Arizona State Sun Devils trailing 58-56 in the corner. He waited a second, let the shot fly with five seconds left and it hit the back of the rim. Out of a scramble, which would best describe the final two minutes of the game, Frank Howard emerged with the rebound.
As the clock expired with Howard making both free throws, Jim Boeheim got on him for not missing one and securing the clock’s run-off (or potentially show-boating? Not sure). But the Orange won, 60-56, coming back from a six-point deficit the Sun Devils built on top of them in the first 90 seconds of the second half with an 8-0 run (and a late seven-point deficit of 49-42).