Throughout its storied history, Syracuse men's basketball has battled in some tantalizing games against its most hated rivals.
Longtime Big East Conference foe Georgetown first comes to mind, even if the two programs are in different leagues these days. Since the 'Cuse moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2013-14 campaign, it's tough to gauge which fellow ACC schools are the Orange's biggest rivals, although SU has suited up in some excellent contests against opponents such as Duke and Virginia.
What follows below are some of the most entertaining games that I've come across pitting Syracuse basketball against its various rivals. This list isn't meant to be fully exhaustive. I'd love to get your feedback on which rivalry games you think are the most iconic in SU hoops history.
Syracuse basketball has played epic rival encounters over the years.
UConn
2009 Big East Tournament semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York City
This is at the top of my list. The Orange never led the Huskies in any of the first five overtimes, yet Syracuse basketball conquered UConn in six OTs, 127-117, in one of the most iconic college basketball games ever. Period.
Georgetown
1984 Big East Tournament championship game at MSG
While the 'Cuse fell in this one, 82–71 in overtime, it's a notable affair between these two storied rivals, because of what happened after the contest concluded. In his post-game press conference, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim lashed out, due to Georgetown power forward Michael Graham punching SU forward forward Andre Hawkins. Initially, Graham was ejected, but that call was overturned by the head referee to an intentional foul. Graham continued playing. Afterward, Boeheim said in part, "The best team did not win tonight."
Boston College
Home game for the Orange against the Eagles in January 1984
Although Boston College isn't necessarily as big a rival for Syracuse as schools like UConn and Georgetown, this game was the best, and for one simple reason: SU point guard Pearl Washington (RIP). The contest was tied at 73-73 with about four seconds left. After a missed free throw by the Eagles, Washington drained a shot from half-court for the win, sending the Carrier Dome into a frenzy while he kept running straight off the court into the locker room after he put up the shot. Just beautiful.
St. John's
1986 Big East Tournament title game at MSG
This was a tremendous game. Both Syracuse and St. John's were top-10 national teams at the time, and in the Big East Tournament, the Red Storm was the No. 1 seed, and the Orange was the No. 2 seed. St. John's emerged victorious, 70–69. Pearl was fabulous, notching 20 points and 14 assists, and he became the first player in league history to win the Big East Tournament MVP award despite not claiming the tourney championship.
Villanova
Home game for SU against the Wildcats in February 2010
Before an NCAA-record, on-campus crowd of 34,616 people at the Dome, No. 4 Syracuse destroyed No. 7 Villanova, 95-77. With the top-three teams falling, the 'Cuse would move to No. 1 in the major national polls for the first time since 2003, when Syracuse won the national title. That 2009-10 SU team was special, going 30-5 overall.
Two classics against ACC teams
I don't think that Syracuse basketball is a huge rival, these days, with Duke or Virginia, but two of my favorite games for the Orange came in February 2014 against the Blue Devils and in March 2016 versus the Cavaliers. The 'Cuse beat Duke, 91-89, in overtime before a huge Dome crowd. It was also the Orange's first season in the ACC.
In March 2016, No. 10 seed SU squared off with top-seeded Virginia in the Elite Eight. With under 10 minutes to go in the second half, Syracuse trailed, 54-39. In a desperate and ultimately wise decision, Boeheim employed a full-court press, and it frazzled UVA. The Orange outscored the Cavaliers the rest of the way in Chicago, 29-8, to win 68-62 and advance on an improbable run to the 2016 Final Four.
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