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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
NEW YORK - No more than 45 minutes after Syracuse won what will undoubtedly be considered one of the greatest games in Big East history, a reporter approached Andy Rautins and asked a simple question: Was it the greatest you've ever seen?
Suddenly, Eric Devendorf cut across the locker room, shouting an answer before Rautins had time to respond.
"It's No. 1. It's the best game ever. Don't even try to say anything else," Devendorf interrupted. "No way that wasn't the best game ever."
Rautins turned to Devendorf and smiled, then turned back to the media and nodded. How else to describe an epic 127-117 victory over arch-rival Connecticut in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament that needed six overtimes to complete?
"He's right. It's the greatest game ever," Rautins said. "It's No. 1. Absolutely. There's no question about it."
Hyperbole, perhaps. But Thursday night's contest at Madison Square Garden, which didn't end until 1:22 a.m. Friday morning, was nothing short of instant classic. The game took three hours, 46 minutes to complete, but few of the 19,375 in attendance left before the final buzzer. It was the longest game ever played in the Big East tournament. The six overtimes tied for the second-most in Division I history.
By the time the game finally ended, eight players had fouled out. No. 18 Syracuse (25-8) was using 6-foot-7 freshman Kris Joseph at center and walk-on Justin Thomas at shooting guard. Jonny Flynn had played an unbelievable 67 of 70 minutes and said he felt his legs starting to give out "between the second and fourth overtime." Paul Harris tried a dunk in the sixth overtime, but literally couldn't elevate high enough to get the ball over the rim.
The game operations crew at MSG played "After Midnight," "All Night Long" and "In the Midnight Hour" as the overtimes kept coming and Thursday night melted into Friday morning. The scoreboard simply said it was period eight.
Flynn led all players with 34 points and seven assists. Harris notched career highs in points (29) and rebounds (22) in 56 minutes. Devendorf (61 minutes) and Rautins (49 minutes) scored 22 and 20, respectively.
Suddenly, Eric Devendorf cut across the locker room, shouting an answer before Rautins had time to respond.
"It's No. 1. It's the best game ever. Don't even try to say anything else," Devendorf interrupted. "No way that wasn't the best game ever."
Rautins turned to Devendorf and smiled, then turned back to the media and nodded. How else to describe an epic 127-117 victory over arch-rival Connecticut in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament that needed six overtimes to complete?
"He's right. It's the greatest game ever," Rautins said. "It's No. 1. Absolutely. There's no question about it."
Hyperbole, perhaps. But Thursday night's contest at Madison Square Garden, which didn't end until 1:22 a.m. Friday morning, was nothing short of instant classic. The game took three hours, 46 minutes to complete, but few of the 19,375 in attendance left before the final buzzer. It was the longest game ever played in the Big East tournament. The six overtimes tied for the second-most in Division I history.
By the time the game finally ended, eight players had fouled out. No. 18 Syracuse (25-8) was using 6-foot-7 freshman Kris Joseph at center and walk-on Justin Thomas at shooting guard. Jonny Flynn had played an unbelievable 67 of 70 minutes and said he felt his legs starting to give out "between the second and fourth overtime." Paul Harris tried a dunk in the sixth overtime, but literally couldn't elevate high enough to get the ball over the rim.
The game operations crew at MSG played "After Midnight," "All Night Long" and "In the Midnight Hour" as the overtimes kept coming and Thursday night melted into Friday morning. The scoreboard simply said it was period eight.
Flynn led all players with 34 points and seven assists. Harris notched career highs in points (29) and rebounds (22) in 56 minutes. Devendorf (61 minutes) and Rautins (49 minutes) scored 22 and 20, respectively.
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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