Hoping that Syracuse basketball-Georgetown continues while adding other Big East foes

For the past 10 seasons, as non-conference foes rather than long-time Big East Conference rivals, Syracuse basketball and Georgetown have met on the court.

After the Hoyas knocked off the 'Cuse this past Saturday afternoon, 75-71, at the JMA Wireless Dome, each program has captured five contests as Syracuse basketball and Georgetown have battled with the Orange in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Hoyas, of course, still residing in the Big East.

Now, Saturday's result was not what Syracuse basketball and its fan base had hoped for, and the attendance was definitely smaller than we're used to for this match-up that, in its heyday, was easily among the best rivalries across the country in college basketball.

On Saturday, the Orange and the Hoyas met for the 100th occasion, with our beloved 'Cuse leading the all-time series by a count of 54-46. I sincerely hope that these two adversaries continue to play each other in the future. Because they've been in different leagues for more than a decade now, it's safe to say that this long-time rivalry isn't what it once was.

Plus, in recent years, Syracuse basketball (5-5 overall) and Georgetown (8-2 overall) haven't proven all that good. However, as an old-school Big East guy myself, I'd be sad if the Orange and the Hoyas don't keep on going toe to toe with one another.

The head coaches of Syracuse basketball and Georgetown weigh in on this long-time rivalry.

Per an article from Chris Carlson of Syracuse.com, 'Cuse head coach Adrian Autry and Hoyas boss Ed Cooley issued their support for this affair to continue onward.

Cooley said in part, "It brings a lot of joy to the college game, of which, right now, with the state of college athletics, we need something to hang our hat on. As long as I’m head coach, I want to play this game each and every year."

Added Autry: "There’s no question I would like to continue this It’s a great rivalry. As we both make strides to get it back to where we’d both like to be, I think both fan bases and both alumni (bases) would like to keep it going as well."

It remains to be seen when the programs will square off again, but I'd be stunned if it's not in near future. At the same time, as I've noted in other recent columns, I'd like to see Syracuse basketball schedule some games, when feasible, versus other former Big East rivals.

Since departing the Big East for the ACC in the 2013-14 campaign, the Orange has suited up against several other Big East squads, including St. John's, Villanova and two-time defending national champion UConn.

And late last month, word came out that SU athletics director John Wildhack has been in touch with Connecticut's AD about possibly trying to schedule a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader in the future, an idea with which I love.

I'm fully transparent in that I've followed Syracuse basketball since the 1980s, and that I attended SU from 1996 to 2000. So the Big East is in my blood. However, I also recognize that the Orange is in the ACC now, and has been for a while.

I don't want to get too caught up in hanging onto the past. The 'Cuse only has 11 non-conference contests from season to season, and it's unrealistic to think that the Orange is going to play numerous Big East schools every year.

That being said, it would prove fun to watch the 'Cuse, from campaign to campaign, compete against one or two Big East members, whether it's Georgetown, the Huskies, Rick Pitino-led St. John's or others.