Syracuse basketball is slated to host MAAC member Niagara this Thursday evening.
Syracuse basketball only got to practice for one day prior to its one-point victory over Bryant last Friday afternoon in the Orange’s 2020-21 season opener.
That was the result of the ‘Cuse having to pause its hoops-related activities for 14 days after two members of the Orange program, including head coach Jim Boeheim, tested positive for Covid-19.
After the win versus Bryant, Boeheim said it was totally his fault and foolish for his squad to compete in that contest after having a mere one practice, which occurred on Thanksgiving.
Now the next ‘Cuse opponent, Niagara, is facing a similar – but not an identical – circumstance. The Purple Eagles paused their basketball activities on Nov. 9 because of a Covid-19 outbreak, per a report by Mike Waters of Syracuse.com.
Waters said that Niagara, a participant in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (“MAAC”), began practicing again on Sunday after “some stops and starts,” giving the Purple Eagles just four days to prepare for their own 2020-21 stanza opener on Dec. 3 against the Orange on the Hill.
“It’s a short window but it’s going to be a long season,” Niagara head coach and Syracuse native Greg Paulus said, according to the Waters piece. “I see a little bit of improvement each day since we’ve been back to practice. That’s what we want to continue to do. We’re excited to begin the journey.”
Syracuse basketball will welcome Greg Paulus and his Niagara team to the Dome for the second-straight year.
In 2019-20, Paulus’ first term as the Purple Eagles head coach, Niagara went 12-20. A season ago, the ‘Cuse defeated the Purple Eagles on the Hill, 71-57.
A graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, Paulus played hoops at fellow Atlantic Coast Conference foe Duke but then quarterbacked Orange football during his one campaign of graduate school at the ‘Cuse.
In the Waters story, Paulus says that his Niagara group suiting up at the Orange means a “great deal.”
“It’s an opportunity to play against Syracuse, an ACC opponent, a Hall of Fame coach, a tremendous program,” Paulus added. “On a personal level, this is home.”
I always want the ‘Cuse, my alma mater, to prevail. However, at the same time, I’m rooting for Paulus and his Purple Eagles to succeed.