Syracuse Basketball: TBT built it, Orange fans came, and the rest is history

We will stand and clap for the first basket when Boeheim’s Army, that collection of former Syracuse basketball players and other stars, takes to The Basketball Tournament (TBT) court Saturday in Illinois (Noon ET, ESPN), to begin its seventh run at the $1 million, winner-take-all, prize.

It’s win or go home for the predominantly Syracuse hoops alumni team in the brilliantly conceived TBT, which was founded by mastermind Jon Mugar in 2014.

And If, no, WHEN we do finally win it all, it will be the culmination of a beautiful shared vision.  Former Syracuse University basketball team manager Kevin Belbey bought into Mugar’s creation, had a vision of his own, and created Boeheim’s Army for the 2015 event.

Since then, despite not capturing the title, Syracuse fans have gained so much excitement from the summer tournament, and in turn we have helped breathe life into it.

I talked to Mugar, a Boston native, about that first Boeheim’s Army appearance in 2015. It was the fan support that at first surprised, then helped inspire Mugar to stay the course, develop the concept and take the TBT to new heights.

“I’ll never forget Boeheim’s Army’s first game in Philadelphia in 2015,” Mugar told me.  “Having zero expectations for a crowd, orange shirts and jerseys began streaming through the door until our bleachers were packed.”

Mugar told me he can still see the moments in his mind, the power of that support that was painting a picture he could only have dreamed of.

“There have been a series of snapshots over the years that have represented unforeseen, next level growth, and seeing that fan base on their feet, clapping before tip off, until a Boeheim’s Army player scored his first field goal, opened my eyes to how powerful alumni team participation in TBT could be,” Mugar said.

Boeheim’s Army, with its line-up featuring many Syracuse basketball alum, is poised for a deep TBT run.

Mugar also noticed Boeheim’s Army’s team makeup and it became even more magical.

“To make matters even more special, they assembled players from different eras, from Hakim Warrick to Eric Devendorf to Lawrence Moten, which was exactly what fans wanted to see. It was Field of Dreams, but for Syracuse basketball.”

I was there when that 2015 team advanced to Chicago, to watch Moten lead the team as player/coach. As Mugar said, it was like Field of Dreams, I was simply compelled to attend, having lived and died with Syracuse Basketball since 1976. I brought my 12-year-old son, a new Syracuse fan born in 2003, so he could watch the legends I had told him all about, in action for himself.

And indeed that 2015 game was dreamlike, seeing your favorite players back in Orange, working together, with a significant prize on the line. The pride in standing with fans wearing Orange, all driven to the same spot we were because of the love of ‘Cuse hoops, was an awesome feeling.

Mugar has since built The Basketball Tournament to grow in scope, in media partnerships, sponsorships, host venues and team strength.

Most of all, the event has grown in fan support.

We know Syracuse basketball fans are the best. Our team tradition and family bond are the strongest. We care. Mostly because it’s all happened under the banner of the ultimate program architect in college basketball history, James Arthur Boeheim.

It’s his Army, we are all part of it. Mugar built this tournament. We are going to be there. It’s time.