Junior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera hit an off-balanced jumper with 3.4 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Hoyas a 66-65 lead. Florida guard Eli Carter had a decent look at a game-winning shot, but the ball caromed off the iron. Following the crazy game-ending sequence, Rich Chvotkin, the Hoyas’ longtime radio broadcaster, erupted in jubilant celebration.
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With the win, the Big East Conference, which was much maligned last season, moved to 39-3 on the season, with wins coming against the likes of Florida, North Carolina (Butler), Oklahoma (Creighton), Notre Dame (Providence), Florida State (Providence), VCU (Villanova), Michigan (Villanova), and Minnesota (St. John’s).
The Conference has claimed three early season tournament championships, with Providence winning the Hal of Fame Tip-Off Classic, Seton hall winning the Paradise Jam and Villanova claiming the Legends Classic championship.
