First it was Kentucky. Then it was Kansas. Now Syracuse is getting in on the act.
During Midnight Madness, the Orange will be welcoming some of their program’s biggest and brightest names back to the Carrier Dome floor as they host a Legends Game. There are quite a few names that folks outside of Upstate New York -- and outside of Big East country, for that matter -- will recognize:
The other team will be coached by Mike Hopkins and Billy Owens. That squad will include Jonny Flynn, Wes Johnson, Gerry McNamara, Howard Triche and Roosevelt Bouie.
Andy Rautins and Eric Devendorf are among the possible additions.
My question -- where the hell is Carmelo Anthony? He’s the most recognizable Syracuse alum in all of sports. He led the Orange to their only title under Jim Boeheim in 2003. Hell, he donated $3 million to get his name on the team’s practice facility. He better be more than “planning” to show up. The NBA is locked out. He clearly doesn’t have anything better to do.
My other question -- does anyone get a louder ovation than Gerry McNamara? And that includes Melo. I don’t think so. G-Mac made a collegiate career out of hitting big shots in bigger moments. He knocked down six threes in the first half of the national title game as a freshman. He led the Orange on one of the most memorable runs in the history of conference tournaments, leading a team that was barely on the bubble -- that wouldn’t have won ten effing games without him -- to the Big East tournament title.
Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @ballinisahabit.