Then, with a berth in the Final Four at stake against Marquette, which eliminated Syracuse in the NCAA tournament two years ago and beat the Orange 74-71 during the season, Syracuse won 55-39.

WSJ: Syracuse focused on journey to Final 4

"It's Frazier-Ali, " Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins said of the No. 4-seed Orange's matchup with Big East rival Marquette, the No. 3 seed.

WSJ: A Big East Rematch With Final Four Stakes

James Southerland and Michael Carter-Williams kept Syracuse's run at one more title going as the 19th-ranked Orange beat No. 17 Pittsburgh 62-59 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

WSJ: No. 19 Syracuse beats No. 17 Pittsburgh 62-59