The 5 Biggest Moments in the History of Syracuse Basketball

Were there any bigger Big East rivals in the 80s than Syracuse and Georgetown? The Hoyas beat the Orangemen in 1984 in a heated game that got physical and nearly came to blows between Michael Graham and Andre Hawkins. Georgetown, behind Patrick Ewing would win in overtime 82-71. Syracuse would get revenge one year later with a one-point win over their DC rivals.

Syracuse entered the 2004 tournament as the defending national champions. 'Cuse bowed out after the Sweet Sixteen round of the tournament. But before they went, GMac drained 43 against BYU. Call it the last stand of the Orange Man. 2004 marked the last season that Syracuse used the nickname Orangemen before dropping it for the gender-neutral Orange.

Syracuse has had legendary battles with Big East foes like Georgetown and Notre Dame, but was was this 6 overtime marathon again Connecticut from the 2009 Big East Tournament that many fans remember as the best Big East battle ever. The game is the longest ever played in Big East Tournament history.

Indiana Hoosier fans remember this moment in the 1987 NCAA Tournament finals as 'The Shot.' Keith Smart drains a bucket with just one second left to play that gives Bobby Knight's squad a one-point win over Syracuse 74-73. The game was held in New Orleans and the Crescent City would remain a wound to Orange pride until 2003....

It was April 7, 2003 in New Orleans that the Orange earned their NCAA National Championship. Syracuse was the 3rd seed from the East region and played early games in front of a mostly home crowd in Albany. 'Cuse defeated Manhattan, Oklahoma State, Auburn, Oklahoma and Texas on thier way to the title game. Carmelo Anthony was named the Most Outstanding Player.