The Syracuse Orange are looking to make a big impression in their first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference and what better way to leave your mark than drawing 50,000 folks to a regular season basketball game.
Well, that’s exactly what Syracuse University officials are considering for this season.
From the Syracuse Post-Standard:
Moving the court would mean breaking the NCAA’s all-time attendance record for an on-campus game. The current record of 35,012 was set on Feb. 23, 2013 when Syracuse hosted Georgetown for the final time as Big East foes. It was the first announced sellout in the Carrier Dome’s history.
Now to pull of such a feat, the Orange will need the right opponent and luckily for them, the ACC provides one from Durham, North Carolina. Yep, the Duke Blue Devils.
SU’s executive senior associate athletic director (that’s quite a title) Joe Giansante won’t publicly commit to anything, but he did have this to say about a visit from Duke…
“We’re looking for ways to celebrate our inclusion in the ACC. Obviously, when Duke comes to town, it’s going to be a special day.’
Of course, if I’m a North Carolina Tar Heel fan, I’m like, “seriously, Duke? We’re heading up to Syracuse as well, but the Dookies get the center court treatment and we get nothing? You realize we have more ACC regular season and tournament titles, plus more national titles? Long live the south!!!”
Don’t feel bad, Carolina. This is nothing personal.
There are legit reasons to do this against Duke over anyone else.
1.Duke always brings out the best in the opposing fan base. Most years, they’re the most hated team in America (although Kentucky and UNC sometimes steal the title every now and then). Love for your team isn’t enough to draw 50K, you need some hate too.
2. Heading into the 2013 season, Syracuse wants to make their biggest statement against the best the ACC has to offer and let’s face it, heading into 2013, the Blue Devils should be the favorites to win the ACC. They were also the last ACC team to actually win a national title.
3. The Blue Devils are really the only true competition for New York/New Jersey’s love and that includes the local kids Rutgers and St. John’s (I’ve been to a Duke/St. John’s game at MSG, it’s about 80% Duke fans). While the NYC area has a ton of Syracuse grads (including my lovely wife), no one calls Madison Square Gardens the “Carrier Dome South,” but they do call it “Cameron North.” My point…despite the distance between the two schools (624 miles), based on the fan base, these two teams will be natural rivalries (as long as they both stay relevant).
Anyhow, time will tell if this all happens. Obviously there are logistics to figure out, wires to be moved, smart people have to make smart decisions.
While I’ve never been to a basketball game in Syracuse, I did get to watch the Orange nearly upset Florida State in football a few years back. It’s a pretty unique environment, so let’s hope they get it all worked out. I’d love to see it.
Of course if you’re wondering how Syracuse and Duke will match up, just ask this guy. He’s got a solid write-up on Cuse matching up with the Blue Devils (as well as other ACC teams).
