Vivid images of the 2009 Big East Conference basketball tournament quarterfinals between the Syracuse University Orangemen and the University of Connecticut Huskies come to mind whenever I watch a Syracuse game. That 127-117 win over Connecticut in six overtimes shows just what the Orangemen are really made of.
But more than that, Syracuse is currently 23-0 and is coursing through the ACC, a product of years of experienced coaching, hard work and dedication—not just a different conference.
After a couple years of speculation, the Syracuse Orangemen announced their official move from the Big East Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference on July 1, 2013. Though it was a bit of an adjustment for players and fans alike, this conference meant a change in their lineup of opponents.
Sitting at the throne of the NCAA, the Syracuse Orangemen officially hit the No.1 spot after the University of Arizona’s upsetting two point loss against California on Saturday, Feb. 1. On the same day Syracuse went on to expand its impeccable performance by defeating the Duke University Blue Devils 91-89 in a nail biting game at the Carrier Dome, locking in the top spot.
Even if the Orangemen had stayed in the Big East Conference, they would still have eventually reached the top spot with an undefeated record. The Orange have been in good light due to the impressive statistics of Syracuse’s very own big three: freshman Tyler Ennis, senior C.J. Fair and sophomore Jerami Grant. All of Syracuse’s big names are being scouted as potential NBA first round draft picks, however the dynamics and ability of freshman point guard Tyler Ennis is one of the top contributing factors for the Orangemen’s success this season.
But aside from Ennis, much of the Orangemen’s success can be attributed to Jim Boehiem, who built Syracuse’s nationally recognized men’s basketball program, attracting top high school prospects from around the country.
The point I’m trying to make is that the Orangemen’s lineup of super star yet intelligently dynamic players and legendary head coach set up Syracuse for the top spot no matter what conference they are playing in.