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The Daily OrangeMBB | Going Dancin': SU upsets No. 9 Georgetown to likely seal NCAA Tournament bid
By Mark Medina
Posted: 2/27/07, 12:19 AM EST Section: Sports
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They wanted to embrace the support. Some stood up on the scorer's table and slapped high-fives. Others went on the floor, showing they're not claustrophobic.
Syracuse's 72-58 upset over No. 9 Georgetown denied the Hoyas a chance to clinch at least a share of the Big East regular season title. More importantly for the Orange, it secured a victory it would like to point to on its résumé for the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
Not only is it a quality win this year, but it's the highest-ranked opponent SU (21-8, 10-5 Big East) has beaten in the regular season since a 49-46 overtime victory at No. 3 Pittsburgh on Feb. 29, 2004.
SU forward Terrence Roberts kept slapping the fans' hands. As he captured the moment, Roberts vividly remembered when fans weren't embracing SU a month ago. Those same people booed them off the court, cheerleaders included.
But last month Syracuse wasn't a team that could hold Georgetown (22-6, 12-3 Big East) to 29.8 percent shooting. It wasn't a team that could depend on four players to contribute scoring in Nichols (22), Andy Rautins (13), Eric Devendorf (11) and Paul Harris (11).
"All I could think was about five games ago and getting booed," Roberts said. "I remember how bad that felt. But we pulled it together and played like how we played."
Even with a five-game winning streak before this victory, critics countered the Orange's wins this season haven't come against quality teams enough to catch the attention of the selection committee. But SU head coach Jim Boeheim and his players know SU's win on Monday will.
"Georgetown is a rivalry and a really great basketball team," Boeheim said. "Eleven straight wins and the big game they had Saturday, we probably caught them a little bit down. But I'm not sure of that. I just think we played well today."
The Orange made four-straight unanswered 3-pointers and held Georgetown scoreless for five and a half minutes. Rautins and Nichols nailed two treys to start a 6-0 run with a 53-46 lead with 8:36 remaining. And the shooting didn't stop there.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joel Cohen
posted 2/27/07 @ 7:56 AM EST
Orangemen- you have made us all proud with your upset. I am thoroughly elated. Everybody stepped up as needed- Rautins, Nichols, Harris, Devendorf, Watkins and Roberts. (Continued…)
chadkersman
Chad
posted 2/27/07 @ 12:53 PM EST
TO ALL FANS IN ATTENDANCE: Great crowd last night! Although the number wasn't huge, the intense atmosphere showed on a national stage. As a 2001 alum, I was glad to see the improved seating alignment. (Continued…)
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