The Syracuse Orange are in the Sweet 16 as a 3 seed again. For those of you that may remember, the last time Syracuse was a 3 seed was in 2003 when they won the National Championship, my Freshman year at Utica College of Syracuse University in Utica, NY.
Living with a Syracuse native, I eagerly waited for each tournament game to come on in the dorms that year to see the then Orangemen advance one game at a time. The excitement and explosiveness was unreal and my fanaticism rose each game. Screaming for Gerry, 'Melo and the NCAA duck leader that year, HA-KIM-WAR-RICK (clap clap clap clap clap).
This year feels very similar with the 6 OT game against UCONN in the Big East Tournament and the down to the wire tournament games that have kept me glued to the screen...not to mention that we have the 3 seed again. This year however, the 2-3 defense may look the same, but the names on the back of the jerseys are different. Devendorf and Andy Rautins have been shooting the lights out just like G-Mac did in the dome and Jonny Flynn is just too much for defenses to handle when he tears through the middle. In comparison to the 2003 Orangemen, this years Syracuse team may not have the highlighted names slated for the NBA, but they have the strength and desire to take a run at the National Championship again.
Up next is Blake Griffin and Oklahoma this Friday night at 7:27 for tip-off. Although Oklahoma is the 2 seed in the region and has possibly the best big man in Blake Griffin in the game today, hopefully the experts are going to be right with their stamina coming off the bench by only playing a seven man rotation this year. The legs feed the wolf, and when your legs start to get tired, it's all over!
GO 'CUSE!
Well, there’s always next year Josh.
Who you got winning this tourney?
Of course, I’ve got to go with my Tarheels.
Check back next week and i’ll let you know who I’ve got for this years tournament champs.
I don’t always cheer for the Orange, like when UMASS beat them in the tourney. But slowly they are growing on me as a sports fan
After being in Utica for four years I couldn’t help but become a fan of Syracuse basketball. Unluckily, you made it to Utica after my freshman year when the Orangemen (at the time) won the National Championship.