Syracuse Basketball: Top things to be thankful for as a Syracuse sports fan

As Thanksgiving arrives for all us, it seems appropriate to delve into what I’m thankful for as it pertains to Syracuse basketball and beyond.

I love Thanksgiving. It’s perhaps my favorite holiday of the year. Our family gets together with dear friends, we feast on my Mom’s ridiculously good cooking, we watch sports, and everything is merry.

Thanksgiving is also important to me, because rather than focus on buying gifts and stuff like that, we just enjoy each other’s company and reflect on how lucky we are.

I have a lot to be thankful for, and that of course extends to my passion for the Syracuse basketball squad. Therefore, what follows below are some facets of SU hoops for which I am thankful.

First and foremost, 2003. That’s the year that the ‘Cuse collected its only national championship. This epic duel with Kansas gave me tons of heartburn, since the Jayhawks nearly stole the contest. But in the end, the Orange prevailed. One of the best days of my life.

Continuing the NCAA Tournament trend, let’s include 1987, 1996, 2013 and 2016. Those are the seasons when Syracuse advanced to the Final Four, and while it stings to fall short of the title, getting that far in March Madness is a tremendous achievement.

I attended SU’s Elite Eight match-up with Marquette in Washington, D.C., during the 2013 Big

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Dance, and I’ll never forget how excited I was when the Orange dominated its former Big East Conference foe to reach the Final Four.

Jim Boeheim. He’s guided the ‘Cuse for more than four decades, amassing more than 1,000 victories along the way (whatever, NCAA). He’s a stodgy, brutally honest curmudgeon, and that rubs some folks the wrong way. Personally, when JB retires, it will crush me.

The 2012 roster. What an unbelievable year: a 30-1 regular season, and an overall mark of 34-3. I know it stinks that SU couldn’t get past the Elite Eight, but you have to respect what this particular team accomplished.

Pearl Washington. One of the brightest stars that the old Big East ever experienced, he helped vault Syracuse onto a much bigger national stage. Pearl, unfortunately, passed away too young, but he’s always in the collective hearts of Orange Nation.

John Wallace, and the ‘Cuse is in da house. What a magical, unexpected journey that unit had in 1996.

There are just too many former SU stars to name here, but a few whom I’m thankful for include Sherman Douglas, Lawrence Moten, Jason Hart, Gerry McNamara, Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Triche, Hakim Warrick and CJ Fair.

Triche may be my favorite Orange player of all-time, because he is so humble, won a ton of games during his Syracuse career, and seems like an all-around classy guy.

Boeheim’s Army has captured my attention as it competes in The Basketball Tournament, and it’s great fun to watch numerous ‘Cuse alums suit up on the same squad.

Otto the Orange. People like to hate on SU’s mascot, but I’m a proud Syracuse graduate myself, and I have Otto’s back for eternity.

The 2-3 zone. Again, some folks say it’s an antiquated, lazy man’s defense, but Boeheim and his boys usually execute it to a tee, and that has enabled a handful of so-so Syracuse teams to make surprising March runs.

For the most part, I’m thankful for all those ‘Cuse basketball fanatics out there like me. On occasion, the Orange fan base can get a tad over the top, like calling for JB to get fired after a mediocre start to the 2018-19 campaign. However, you have to appreciate the energy of the SU community.

On that note, I’ll end with something a bit more personal. I’m thankful for all of the people in my own life. My colleagues at Inside The Loud House. My work clients. My tennis buddies. My old-time friends. My family.

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And, most importantly, my adorable son, Kethan. He’s almost 2.5 years old, and I can’t get over how fast he’s growing up. It’s hard to accurately write in words how proud I am of this little dude. Especially since he pronounces “Syracuse” with flawless perfection. Well … almost.

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