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Georgetown seeks first Big East title since 1989

Mar 10, 2007 - 5:28 PM No. 11 Pittsburgh (27-6) vs. No. 9 Georgetown (25-6) 9:00 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) - Jeff Green is showing why he was named the Big East Conference Player of the Year.

Coming off one of the best games of his career, Green looks to lead ninth-ranked Georgetown to its first conference tournament crown since 1989 in Saturday's encounter against No. 11 Pittsburgh.

Entering the tournament averaging 13.6 points, Green has gradually raised his level of play after being limited to just nine points against Syracuse on February 26. The 6-9 junior scored 14 points in the regular-season finale against Connecticut and 14 more in Georgetown's quarterfinal win over Villanova.

Green came through in a big way with a career-high 30 points, including a pull-up jumper with 13 seconds remaining, as the Hoyas posted an 84-82 triumph over Notre Dame in Friday's semifinals.

DaJuan Summers scored 18 points and Patrick Ewing Jr. added 15 to help Georgetown reach the final for the first time since 1996. The Hoyas are seeking their seventh tournament crown and first under coach John Thompson III.

Pittsburgh may have a chip on its shoulder in its sixth appearance in the final in seven seasons. The Panthers have just one title in that stretch (2003) and lost last year's championship game to Syracuse.

The Panthers followed Thursday's quarterfinal win over Marquette with Friday's 65-59 triumph over Louisville. Antonio Graves scored 23 points on 7-of-10 shots and Mike Cook added 13.

The Hoyas posted a 61-53 victory over Pittsburgh in their last showdown February 24.