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Syracuse got the last laugh against Big East foe Georgetown in a game that did the old rivalry proud, a white knuckle 58-55 overtime win. And Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim made sure his players understood the rivalry's significance.

As the Big East prepares to close its doors, Syracuse-Georgetown at Madison Square Garden is the only appropriate way to go out, writes Dana O'Neil.

Dave Gavitt's vision -- a Northeast alliance of basketball schools called the Big East -- came to life at Madison Square Garden.

A father who helped start the rivalry. A son who closed it out with a resounding victory. On a nostalgic day in the nation's capital, John Thompson III's Hoyas pounded Syracuse for the Big East title and John Thompson Jr. got the last laugh.

Otto Porter scored 33 points to lead Georgetown past Syracuse in a performance that overshadowed the probable end of the teams' long rivalry. In fact, Porter could have played himself into the discussion for player of the year honors.

With the conference season set to get under way, Dana O'Neil takes a look at what's in store for the Big East.

As the Big East meets at Madison Square Garden for the 30th year, a feeling of change and uncertainty is in the air.

On the same weekend its founder passed away, the Big East as we know it forever changed with the sudden defections of Syracuse and Pitt -- with more likely to come. Dave Gavitt would've been embarrassed by the hypocrisy and greed of it all.

Georgetown isn't satisfied with just beating Syracuse. The Hoyas want to win the whole Big East tournament.

In cutting a 23-point deficit to one against Syracuse, Georgetown showed the sort of moxie it failed to display at this point last season. Nevertheless, in the dog-eat-dog world of the Big East, the Hoyas now find themselves in sixth place.