Syracuse basketball vs. Hoyas has changed, but still one of best rivalries

Georgetown is scheduled to visit Syracuse basketball on Saturday.

Well, Syracuse basketball pretty much laid an egg this past Wednesday evening, coughing up an 18-point lead to Pittsburgh before losing by three, so let’s see if the Orange will take out its frustrations on former Big East Conference foe Georgetown.

Those pesky Hoyas make a trip to the Hill for a prime-time bruiser on Saturday night that is slated for tip-off at 8 pm, with ESPN2 providing television coverage.

When the ‘Cuse bolted the old Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013-14, it was virtually impossible for the long-time rivalry between Syracuse basketball and Georgetown to continue exuding the exact same level of emotions – excitement, perhaps, or even hatred? – that had existed over the past few decades.

Dating back to the 1980s, with head coach Jim Boeheim and the late Pearl Washington on one side, and fellow head coach John Thompson Jr. and Patrick Ewing on the other, the Big East – coupled with the rise of ESPN – played a critical role in the growth of college basketball.

By my estimation, other than Duke-North Carolina, for many, many years, no other rivalry embodied the sport better than the ‘Cuse against the Hoyas.

Today, with the Orange in the ACC and Georgetown in the Big East, this duel may have lost a little of its luster, but not much. Since Syracuse basketball switched up conferences, Saturday evening’s bout will mark the sixth encounter between the two schools, with the Hoyas holding a 3-2 edge, although all-time the ‘Cuse is out in front, 51-44, per orangehoops.org.

Syracuse basketball and Georgetown remain one heck of a showdown.

Last August, the entire college basketball community, including in Central New York, mourned the passing of Thompson, who like Boeheim is a Hall of Famer and national champion.

As such, I have no doubt that Boeheim, his players and the Hoyas team will carry some intense emotions into this non-conference clash.

The Blue Devils versus the Tar Heels, undeniably, is the most recognizable rivalry in the sport. Louisville-Kentucky, Michigan-Michigan State, Kansas-Kansas State, Cincinnati-Xavier and Indiana-Purdue are all up there as well.

Yes, the times have changed for Syracuse basketball against Georgetown, however, it should still be thought of as one of the top-10 rivalries in college basketball today – regardless of their conference affiliations.