NEW YORK — Just when it appeared Syracuse might shift the momentum in its direction in overtime Friday, Kemba Walker reminded everybody why some consider him the best player in the country. His coach, Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun, declared it himself.

Walker scored four of the Huskies’ eight points in overtime, and carried UConn all evening to a 76-71 victory over No. 11 Syracuse (26-7) in front of a sold out crowd of 19,375 at Madison Square Garden. The Connecticut star and a National Player of the Year candidate willed his team to victory by scoring 33 points to go along with 12 rebounds, six steals and five assists. Walker had as many or more in each of those categories than anyone else on the floor for either team.

And his 111 points during the Big East Tournament sets a league record. He’s only six points away from breaking the record for points in any conference tournament.

‘MVP in America, bar none,’ Calhoun said. ‘You cannot question it.’

Prior to the tournament, some apparently had. Though selected first team All-Big East, one league coach didn’t place a first team vote for Walker, who leads the league in scoring. Walker subsequently finished second in Big East Player of the Year voting.

But he played like the league’s best player Friday. Syracuse had no answer for Walker, as he shot 9-of-18 from the field and 13-of-14 from the line.

After Walker willed the No. 19 Huskies (25-9) to their fourth win in as many days, Calhoun took issue with those who may have been skeptical of Walker’s value.

‘I think he’s the MVP of any college basketball team in America,’ Calhoun said. ‘And I’m going to keep saying that because you’ve got a chance to witness what we’ve witnessed over the past 30-somewhat games.’

Scoop Jardine, who drilled back-to-back 3s to send the game into overtime, missed a 3-pointer at the top of the key with 14.2 seconds remaining in overtime that would have tied the game at 74.

Walker made two free throws on the other end to secure the win. It was just a small glimpse into what did all game, slicing through SU’s 2-3 zone and either finishing or finding and open teammate when the defense collapsed.

Walker didn’t make his first field goal attempt until 7:29 left in the first half, but he worked at drawing the defense’s focus and opened things up for his teammates.

In the second half, he caught fire. Walker scored 23 points in the second half and overtime.

‘We let Kemba get too much penetration,’ Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. ‘We tried to double him every chance we could but he’s very difficult. He’s as good a player as there is in college basketball right now.’

He did it all in his fourth game in four days. In Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh and Friday’s against SU, Walker never sat, playing all 85 minutes.

Syracuse still had its chances, and with eight minutes and change to go in the second half, the Orange jumped out in front. After a horrific shooting performance in the first half, SU rattled off an 11-2 run in the middle of the second half to take a 55-52 lead. Kris Joseph made the rare 4-point play — knocking down a 3 from the top of the arc while being fouled by Walker — to put SU in front.

SU finished the second half shooting 52 percent, including 6-of-11 from downtown.

Despite all that, Walker’s gigantic performance proved too much to overcome.

‘It’s the Big East,’ Jardine said. ‘Kemba Walker is one of the best players in the country, and it’s exciting to play against him and it brings the best out of you.’

With Walker leading the way, the Huskies answered back and stole back any positive momentum SU had remaining. Jeremy Lamb nailed a jumper off a Walker assist and UConn reclaimed the lead with six minutes to play.

Syracuse forced overtime, but never led, as Walker scored the first two points of the extra period. And he scored the last two points, the two free throws that sealed game after Jardine’s missed game-tying 3-point attempt.

UConn now advances to the Big East title game. While Syracuse heads home to prepare for the NCAA Tournament, Walker and the Huskies will try to win their fifth game in five days against Louisville, winners of the second semifinal.

‘We’re playing hard and together and good things are happening for us,’ Walker said. ‘The bright lights are on and it’s time to shine. Everybody said we couldn’t do this and we’re just shocking the world.’

aljohn@syr.edu

Published on March 10, 2011 at 12:00 pm