Boeheim’s Army 2019 Player Series: Eric Devendorf

In this Boeheim’s Army 2019 Player Series we will feature the members of this year’s TBT (The Basketball Tournament) squad, and what’s happened since we saw them last. Up first: Eric Devendorf.

Boeheim’s Army fans rejoice! This year’s team is back and better than ever. Led by none other than former Syracuse Orange star Eric Devendorf. Boeheim’s Army is considered one of the elite squads in the 2019 edition of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) this summer.

Devendorf, known well by Syracuse fans all over for his passion and emotion, is coming back once again for a chance at the TBT title. Though he sometimes loses his cool while playing, his drive to win is unparalleled. It should come as no surprise then that Boeheim’s Army GM Kevin Belbey called Devendorf “the spinal cord” of this team on The Manchild Show with Boy Green.

As shown in previous TBT tournaments, Devendorf can be the go-to-guy on offense when the team struggles to hit shots. He stays cool and collected and fixed on the prize. That veteran presence on this team makes him one of the best players in The Basketball Tournament.

Though Devendorf has moved on from playing professionally and now coaches as a special assistant to the head coach at Detroit Mercy, according to the Daily Orange, he still can hit shots and drive to the rim just as well as he could years ago when he played for the Syracuse basketball squad.

One of four guards on this roster, Devendorf will be looked to as a leader on the court for Boeheim’s Army, even when he isn’t asked to carry ball-handling duties. Scoring, distributing, or playing off-ball, Devendorf is dangerous and should not be taken lightly by any opponent.

Boeheim’s Army Veteran

Need proof? We need only to look back at last years TBT. In his first game against the South Jamaica Kings Devendorf had 12 points, two assists, and two steals, according to TheTournament.com. He was also a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.

In the next round against Team Fancy, a team that really gave Boeheim’s Army all it could take, he had another 12 point, two steal game where he again when a perfect 2-for-2 from the line. In that game, his veteran presence in the huddle as well as on the court was huge in keeping Boeheim’s Army cool and collected enough to pull out a squeaker.

In the Super 16 in Atlanta, GA, Devendorf stepped up his game against a very pesky Armored Athlete squad who just would not go home quietly.  He would lead all Boeheim’s Army scorers with 19 points, to pair with two assists while shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range. His cool head and clutch play late that helped Boeheim’s Army secure the win to move onto the quarterfinals.

Though Boeheim’s Army lost in the quarterfinals to the Golden Eagles (Marquette alumni), Devo still played a huge role in the loss to keep the former Orangemen in it. He was second on the team in scoring in the game with 17 points, but also had five assists and two steals as well. However, a long shot from three from sharpshooter Travis Diener sealed the deal and sent Boeheim’s Army packing.

Though that’s all well and sad, Devo and Co. are looking forward to this year, not dwelling on what could have been. There’s a reason Devendorf keeps coming back: because he loves the game and wants this team to win. This year they have a talented roster with lots of veteran Boeheim’s Army players who together are more than capable of winning a TBT championship. So I guess there’s only one thing left to do: go out and get it.