Syracuse Basketball: Boeheim’s Army run exemplifies remarkable fan base

Since I became editor of Inside The Loud House in May of 2020, I’ve interacted with countless numbers of passionate Syracuse basketball and Boeheim’s Army fans, as well as those with enthusiasm for Orange football and other sports.

Yes, I’ve read some comments from my fellow ‘Cuse fanatics that are negative in nature. And sometimes these negative comments hold merit. If you know me, you know that I always respect the opinions of my fellow Orange faithful.

That being said, what I witnessed on Tuesday night, as Boeheim’s Army captured its first The Basketball Tournament (“TBT”) crown, and $1 million to go along with it, truly signifies what a tremendous fan base the ‘Cuse has, particularly as it relates to Orange hoops.

The Syracuse basketball fan base went nuts for Boeheim’s Army.

When the No. 3 seed Boeheim’s Army snuck by No. 6 seed Team 23, 69-67, in the TBT championship game from Dayton, Ohio, Orange head coach Jim Boeheim and his wife, Juli, were in attendance.

Their sons, current Syracuse basketball shooting guard Buddy Boeheim and forward Jimmy Boeheim, were there. So, too, were the ‘Cuse assistant coaches.

On top of that, an abundance of Syracuse basketball fans made the trip to Dayton to cheer on Boeheim’s Army, and this is in the middle of a global coronavirus pandemic.

Just prior to the start of the 2021 TBT title encounter, the ESPN commentators noted that the crowd at this contest amounted to the largest in the history of this annual summer event.

I’m not surprised in the least. Syracuse basketball fans, the majority of them anyway, love their ‘Cuse team. This extends, undeniably, to Boeheim’s Army.

After the game had concluded, and Boeheim’s Army had captured its first TBT crown, veteran player Eric Devendorf said in part, “That’s how we do … the best university in the world … Syracuse.”

I’m a proud 2000 graduate of Syracuse University, and I totally agree with Devendorf. What a thrilling past few weeks.

Boeheim’s Army is the TBT champ. The Orange made the Sweet 16 of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, and its recruiting efforts are looking strong for the future.

Life is good. Even if Syracuse basketball fans, myself included, felt a bit of nervous energy on Tuesday evening.

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