McNamara's shot not end to Syracuse's drama
Frank Burlison Scout.com
For sheer conference tournament drama, it's going to be tough topping that Gerry McNamara 3-point push/floater that gave Syracuse a 74-73 victory over Cincinnati in a first-round game of the Big East tournament Wednesday afternoon in Madison Square Garden.

But Jihad Muhammad almost did just that, barely missing on his half-court heave at the buzzer.

By the way, watch the replay of McNamara's drive that culminated in his game-winning (and NCAA tournament bid-hope extending) shot. First Muhammad and then Cedric McGowan were in position to cut off McNamara's penetration but couldn't get it done.

So the Bearcats, who could have approached Sunday's NCAA Tournament bracket and pairings announcement with something approaching confidence if McNamara had not connected on his shot, will have a long and nerve-wracking at-large bid wait Sunday.

But Jim Boeheim's team didn't guarantee itself anything with the victory other than an opportunity to face the nation's best team — Connecticut — in a quarterfinal Thursday. The rest