Syracuse Basketball: Loathe for Hoyas, but love for John Thompson Jr.

Syracuse basketball and Georgetown may have built up a heated rivalry, but those in the Orange program are showing admiration for John Thompson Jr.

As Syracuse basketball and Georgetown forged one of the top rivalries in all of college hoops over multiple decades, Orange coaches, players and fans certainly developed a love-hate relationship with the Hoyas and their legendary head coach, John Thompson Jr.

Yet since the unbelievably sad news that Thompson passed away at the age of 78 surfaced on Monday morning, the sentiments which have poured in from those within the ‘Cuse program have proven nothing but loving, positive and respectful.

"Through a Syracuse basketball spokesman, Orange head coach Jim Boeheim issued a touching statement on Thompson. It reads, “We lost a great basketball coach and a great person with the passing of my friend John Thompson. He was a leader in the game and in life. John empowered all coaches but especially Black coaches and Black players. Syracuse and Georgetown was the toughest rivalry for about 10-15 years during the early BIG EAST days. There was nothing quite like it. Many of my fondest coaching memories are from Georgetown games, coaching against John – in the Dome, at Georgetown and at MSG. Juli and I want to express our condolences to John’s family and the Georgetown basketball community. John was one of a kind.”"

Former Syracuse basketball star Derrick Coleman, who participated in numerous ‘Cuse-Georgetown bouts during the Big East Conference’s heyday, said on Twitter, “Much as I hated Georgetown I loved coach Thompson and what he stood for.”

Kris Joseph didn’t even suit up for the Orange when Thompson led the Hoyas, but he still tweeted out, “RIP to the LEGENDARY Big John Thompson. Showed me an immense amount of love every time i saw him. Rest easy.”

The appreciation and praise for Thompson aren’t limited to the ‘Cuse basketball team. Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers said on his Twitter page, “My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of John Thompson today. Coach Thompson was a trailblazer on and off the court, and his presence demanded the attention of the room. His knowledge was power. Thank you for all that you have done for the coaching profession.”

Several other former Syracuse basketball players paid their respects to Thompson on Twitter, including Elijah Hughes and Eric Devendorf.

Orange players may have despised the Hoyas when they took the court, but it’s clear that ‘Cuse guys will forever admire Thompson’s significant influence on this rivalry, the Big East, the entire sport of college basketball, and society as a whole.