Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Let's Play Two

On December 4th, 1948 the Syracuse Orangemen did something unthinkable by today's basketball standards: they played both ends of a basketball double header.   They beat the University of Toronto 76-34 in the first game, and Ithaca College 81-41 in the second game at the Syracuse Coliseum.

Ed Stickel
Ed Stickel
Coach Lew Andreas used the same starting five for both games: Jack Kiley, Ed Stickel, Royce Newell, Ed Rosen, and Francis Miller. Kiley led Syracuse in the first game with 12 points, while Stickel led the second game with 19 pts. The two both score 25 points each in the two games combined.

Andreas used 19 players in the first game, and 17 in the second. 20 different players saw action for the Orangemen that day; 15 of them scored.   Bob Savage was the leading reserve with a combined 20 points.

The Orangemen wore their white jerseys for the first game and their orange for the second.

The combined box score for the Orangemen saw a 157-75 score, with 63 field goals, 33 of 59 free throws (56%), and 36 fouls.

Monday, December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas!

 I'm not a poet, so I asked AI to put something together a couple poems for me with some guidance.  Some miscues, but better than what I'd do.  I thought the first was more poetic and in the spirit, but the second more factually correct.  Enjoy!

Version 1

'Twas the night before tip-off, in Syracuse so bright,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a snowflake in flight.
The jerseys were hung in the lockers with care,
In hopes that a victory soon would be there.

The Orange faithful nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of three-pointers danced in their heads.
With memories of greatness, so storied and vast,
A legacy of triumph, from the present to past.

In the Carrier Dome, where the Orange call home,
Echoes of greatness forever are known.
From the Pearl's half-court magic, a legend so bold,
To Roosevelt Bouie and Louis Orr, pure orange and gold.

Six overtimes etched in the annals of lore,
Against Connecticut, a battle galore.
Sherman Douglas dishing, with grace and with flair,
To Steven Thompson, soaring through the air.

Dave Bing's brilliance, Vic Hanson's might,
Billy Gabor's grace, oh what a sight.
GMac's sharpshooting, from beyond the arc,
Three-pointers falling, lighting the dark.

In the annals of history, a name that does ring,
Carmelo Anthony, oh how he'd swing.
A champion's heart, a prodigious might,
For Syracuse, he'd shine so bright.

And Hakeem Warrick, with wings unfurled,
A blocked shot heard 'round the basketball world.
In the waning moments, with destiny stark,
Sealing the victory, leaving a mark.

As the orange and blue take the court once again,
With memories of glory, and dreams to attain.
In the heart of New York, where legends are spun,
The Orange march on, their story not done.

So here's to the Orange, to victories in flight,
Merry basketball to all, and to all a good night!

Version 2

'Twas the night before tip-off, in the Dome so grand,
Not a creature was stirring, across Orange land.
The jerseys were hung in the locker room with care,
In hopes that victory soon would be there.

The fans were nestled all snug in their seats,
With visions of greatness, and history to meet.
And Coach in his jacket, with clipboard in hand,
Prepared for the battle, a game to withstand.

When out on the court, there arose such a clatter,
Orange faithful sprang up to see what was the matter.
Away to the sidelines, they flew in a flash,
Cheering for Syracuse, their beloved Orange clash.

The Pearl at half court, a magician with the ball,
Dribbling and weaving, leaving defenders in a sprawl.
With a flick of his wrist, a shot from afar,
A lengthy shot splashed, like a shooting star.

Roosevelt Bouie and Louis Orr, giants of the past,
Legends of Orange, memories that forever last.
Six overtimes against UConn, a battle for the ages,
Heart-stopping moments, written in the basketball pages.

Sherman Douglas dishing, to Steven Thompson so fleet,
A connection so potent, opponents faced defeat.
Dave Bing's smooth moves, Vic Hanson's grace,
Billy Gabor's brilliance, each a legend to embrace.

GMac's three-point shooting, a rain of threes,
From beyond the arc, setting nets at ease.
Carmelo Anthony, a name that shines bright,
A national championship, a crowning delight.

And in the Dome's rafters, Hakeem Warrick's block,
A moment in time, like a ticking clock.
A rejection so powerful, a title to secure,
A symbol of Orange strength, forever endure.

So here's to the Orange, past and present combined,
A legacy of triumph, in each game defined.
As the ball tips off, and the crowd starts to roar,
Merry basketball to all, forever Orange, evermore!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Five Historically Interesting Games for the Orange

The following are summaries from five Syracuse basketball games that were memorable for various reasons.

Syracuse 57, Fordham 22 January 14, 1939

Coach Lew Andreas always played a deep bench, but he went to the extreme on this day. Syracuse led 49-21 with about 8 minutes left in the game.  Andreas, who was also the athletic director, started liberally substituting players for the Orangemen.  In the end, 21 different Syracuse athletes played for the Orangemen that day.

Wilmeth Sidat-Singh led all scorers that day with 17 points. Bobby Stewart was second with 13.

http://orangehoops.org/Box%20Scores/19390114.htm

 

Syracuse 106, Oswego State Teachers College 25 December 8, 1945

Syracuse scored 100+ points in a game for the first time, setting a school record scoring margin of 81 points.  Forward Billy Gabor would set a then-school record of 36 points with 15 field goals and 6 free throws.  15 Orangemen would play with 14 of them scoring.

http://orangehoops.org/Box%20Scores/19451208.htm

 

Syracuse 64, Temple 47 February 9, 1952

Frank Reddout set a school record with 34 rebounds against the Owls, including 20 in the first half. Reddout would also lead all scorers with 18 points.  The Orangemen held Temple to 4 of 35 field goal shooting in the first half.

http://orangehoops.org/Box%20Scores/19520209.htm

 

Syracuse 144, Siena 92 January 17, 1979

The Orangemen set a school record scoring 144 points in a victory of Siena.   The Orangemen led 69-38 at the half and scored a school record 75 points in the second half.  8 Orangemen scored in double figures with reserve guard Hal Cohen leading the way with 25 points.   The Orangemen made 61% of their field goals, and held Siena to 41%.  Syracuse had 36 assists on  55 field goals.

http://orangehoops.org/Box%20Scores/19790117.htm

 

Syracuse 127, UConn 117 March 12th, 2009

This game is still fresh to most of us, though it occurred 14+ years ago.  #18 ranked Orange played the #3 ranked Huskies in the quarter finals of the Big East tournament.  Syracuse thought they won a classic game in regulation when Eric Devendorf hit a half court shot at the buzzer.  Replays showed however that the ball was still on his fingertips as time expired. 

What happened next was a historical 6-overtime game.  The Orange would never lead in overtime until the sixth period.  Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn played 67 of the total 70 minutes with 34 points, 11 assists, and 6 steals. Paul Harris lead both teams with 22 rebounds.

Four Orange players would foul out as well as four Huskies, before the Orange won 127-117.

http://orangehoops.org/Box%20Scores/20090312.htm