Syracuse Basketball: Top 10 Moments During the 2016-2017 Season

8.) The Almost-Comeback Against Louisville at Home

This was one of those games that should’ve been one of the biggest disappointments of the season, but it wasn’t. Syracuse fell behind by as much as 14 in the first half, and as much as seven late in the second half, according to ESPN.com. Each time though, Syracuse rallied.

The exclamation point for Syracuse was a high-arcing game-tying three from John Gillon late in the second half. That tied the game at 58 apiece. Tyler Roberson would foul Louisville’s Jaylen Johnson who tried to score under the basket, and send him to the line for two shots. Luckily for Syracuse, he missed both, giving Syracuse a chance for the last shot.

John Gillon drove the lane with 9.4 seconds to go with a chance to win. Unfortunately, his attempt at a layup was blocked and went off his fingertips somehow. After a review the call stood. The ball therefore went back to Louisville with three seconds to go, who missed an long three to send the game to overtime.

Overtime:

In overtime, the Orange fell behind early, but in the final minute they bounced back. Jaylen Johnson once gain missed two free throws, giving Syracuse a chance to tie or take the lead with 12 seconds to go. Andrew White III hoisted up a long and contested 3 point try which airballed. Luckily, Tyler Roberson caught it and put it back up with 3 second to play, according to ESPN.com.

Unfortunately, it rimmed out, but he was fouled, sending him to the line for two shots. If he hit them both he would tie the game. Roberson is a horrible free throw shooter though, and he missed both, costing the Orange the game.

This game was a win Syracuse could have had, but missed in the end. The rallies Syracuse had in this game were amazing, and went against all odds. Maybe that’s why, in the end, the odds went out of the Orange’s favor.