Marquette is no easy chore, but North Carolina got a huge break Sunday when Marquette stunned Syracuse 66-62.

Carolina is simply not a strong outside shooting team, and Syracuse is exactly the type of disciplined zone team that would give UNC trouble. You saw it in the ACC Tournament, when Miami nearly knocked the Tar Heels out of that event. And you might have seen it again in the Round of 16 in NCAA play.

Marquette had beaten Syracuse 76-70 in the regular season, so it’s not like the Warriors were intimidated by the Orange. Marquette was just 9-9 in Big East play,   but that’s hardly an indictment in a season in which that league was simply phenomenal. If you watched any Big East games this season – and it was hard to miss them if you turned on ESPN – it was jarring how athletic and talented the Big East teams were compared to the ACC.

Still, the Big East has had a disappointing effort in NCAA play. Marquette and Connecticut are still alive, with Notre Dame facing Florida State on Sunday night.

A win by North Carolina would be a huge statement for the ACC against the Big East – and the Heels are fortunate they don’t have to face the Orange in this one.