Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSIX IN THE CITY: Syracuse outlasts UConn in 6-overtime thriller at Madison Square Garden
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 3/13/09, 5:37 AM EST Section: Sports
The Orange's prize is the opportunity to play again Friday night at 9:30 p.m. in the tournament semifinal against West Virginia, who knocked off No. 2 Pittsburgh hours earlier in the night. First, SU just wants an opportunity to catch its breath.
"No words. I've got no words to even try to describe it," SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. "I've never been prouder of any team I've ever coached."
The game almost ended in regulation. UConn's Kemba Walker tied the score at 71 with 1.1 seconds remaining, leaving the Orange with enough time for one more shot. Harris flung a baseball pass the length of the court, and the ball was tipped right into Devendorf's hands. He launched a 3 at the buzzer that swished through, and the Syracuse players stormed the court thinking they had just won. Devendorf immediately jumped onto the scorer's table and began pounding his chest.
After about a five-minute review, though, the officials changed their ruling. Television replays indicated the ball was still touching the edge of Devendorf's fingertip as the clock ran out. Overtime was coming, and the Orange had to refocus.
"It was definitely tough being on a high horse like that. I definitely thought the shot was good," Flynn said. "I thought we were going into the locker room. Just to come down from that big of a high was really difficult for us, but our coaching staff really regrouped us and we did a good job of keeping our composure."
So Syracuse did for another 30 minutes, spanning over six overtimes. The No. 3 Huskies had an opportunity to win in the first extra period, but Rick Jackson slammed home a game-tying dunk with four seconds left.
Connecticut's (27-4) next great chance came in the third OT. That time, it took a 3 by Rautins from well beyond the NBA arc to tie the score again with 11 seconds remaining. Rautins came around a Jackson screen and caught a pass from Flynn from about 22 feet out on the wing and drilled an off-balance shot.
"Apparently, I still had my legs left, because I shot it from pretty deep," Rautins said.
Syracuse did not lead in any of the first five overtimes but somehow managed to take control of the sixth. Rautins hit a 3 to start the scoring, and the Orange never looked back, winning the period, 17-7.
Just like that, the marathon was over. Syracuse's players could barely celebrate by that point, too tired to jump around like they did when Devendorf seemingly won the game more than an hour earlier. Flynn and Harris stood stooped over with their hands on their knees. Flynn said afterward he hadn't eaten anything since 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Not like any of that mattered anymore.
"I don't know what to say. It's unbelievable. The game, oh man, it's unbelievable man," Devendorf said, shaking his head as he spoke. "This game is unbelievable. I'm so tired right now. I just want to get in the shower and go to bed. Man, I'm just so tired. But it was worth it, man. It's worth it."
jediamon@syr.edu
"No words. I've got no words to even try to describe it," SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. "I've never been prouder of any team I've ever coached."
The game almost ended in regulation. UConn's Kemba Walker tied the score at 71 with 1.1 seconds remaining, leaving the Orange with enough time for one more shot. Harris flung a baseball pass the length of the court, and the ball was tipped right into Devendorf's hands. He launched a 3 at the buzzer that swished through, and the Syracuse players stormed the court thinking they had just won. Devendorf immediately jumped onto the scorer's table and began pounding his chest.
After about a five-minute review, though, the officials changed their ruling. Television replays indicated the ball was still touching the edge of Devendorf's fingertip as the clock ran out. Overtime was coming, and the Orange had to refocus.
"It was definitely tough being on a high horse like that. I definitely thought the shot was good," Flynn said. "I thought we were going into the locker room. Just to come down from that big of a high was really difficult for us, but our coaching staff really regrouped us and we did a good job of keeping our composure."
So Syracuse did for another 30 minutes, spanning over six overtimes. The No. 3 Huskies had an opportunity to win in the first extra period, but Rick Jackson slammed home a game-tying dunk with four seconds left.
Connecticut's (27-4) next great chance came in the third OT. That time, it took a 3 by Rautins from well beyond the NBA arc to tie the score again with 11 seconds remaining. Rautins came around a Jackson screen and caught a pass from Flynn from about 22 feet out on the wing and drilled an off-balance shot.
"Apparently, I still had my legs left, because I shot it from pretty deep," Rautins said.
Syracuse did not lead in any of the first five overtimes but somehow managed to take control of the sixth. Rautins hit a 3 to start the scoring, and the Orange never looked back, winning the period, 17-7.
Just like that, the marathon was over. Syracuse's players could barely celebrate by that point, too tired to jump around like they did when Devendorf seemingly won the game more than an hour earlier. Flynn and Harris stood stooped over with their hands on their knees. Flynn said afterward he hadn't eaten anything since 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Not like any of that mattered anymore.
"I don't know what to say. It's unbelievable. The game, oh man, it's unbelievable man," Devendorf said, shaking his head as he spoke. "This game is unbelievable. I'm so tired right now. I just want to get in the shower and go to bed. Man, I'm just so tired. But it was worth it, man. It's worth it."
jediamon@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
Jim Chanatry
posted 3/13/09 @ 9:36 AM EST
All anyone can say is that it was the greatest college game ever played. It is a testiment to the athleticism of the players... I'm proud to be an orangeman. (Continued…)
Warren
posted 3/13/09 @ 10:23 AM EST
Congrats to this team of teams, who would not give up, no matter how tough things looked.
Big big round of applause to Arinze for hitting those free throws in what the 5th overtime? Talk about performing under pressure! Definitely Syracuse owns the Garden and all of New York today. (Continued…)
Pat Brennan
posted 3/13/09 @ 11:15 AM EST
As good as it could ever get. Sweet revenge and served to Calhoun ice cold. To any of those who doubted Boeheim, remember this victory. I'm still not sure how we did it but kudos all around the horn. (Continued…)
Califcuse
posted 3/13/09 @ 11:44 AM EST
The tv announcers said "it was a privilege" to watch the game and called it "a game for the ages." Well said. All the players had The Heart of An Orangman!
John '06
posted 3/13/09 @ 12:47 PM EST
Best ever? Excellent game, but winning the National Championship was better. I think watching GMac carry the team through the tourney himself a few years back was amazing too. (Continued…)
Corbin C. Thompson
posted 3/13/09 @ 1:14 PM EST
My wife and I went upstairs to watch the rest of the game from bed after the first OT. Never had so much excitement in our bedroom! Thank you, Jonny,Eric,Andy,Paul,Arinze,Kristof and others! Our daughter is a senior at SU and in her freshmen year, 05-06 SU won the Big East Championship. (Continued…)
re3a
posted 3/13/09 @ 1:41 PM EST
What shitty writing.
John Winthrop
posted 3/13/09 @ 7:42 PM EST
As an old SU alum (class of '62) it was GREAT to
see the Orange gut it out against just a monster
UCONN team, and hang on to win such an epic
battle. (Continued…)
SU Dad
posted 3/14/09 @ 12:34 AM EST
REFUSE TO LOSE! It describes the men's basketball team's attitude and effort. It was an outstanding job against UCONN and WVU. Way to go gentlemen, coach Boeheim and staff. (Continued…)
Cuserell
posted 3/18/09 @ 6:34 PM EST
For people to say that this was the greatest game ever shows how little basketball they watch. From a basketball standpoint, this was one of the ugliest and dumbest games I have watched in a long time. (Continued…)
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