Max Power's Sports Stash

I was fortunate enough to be in the Carrier Dome for Monday night's dismantling of the Georgetown Hoyas by the Syracuse Orange. I must say I'm glad I made the drive, and took the walk up the hill, to see this one in person.

The Syracuse-Georgetown rivalry games in the Dome have been hit-or-miss over the past decade or so. They've had some classic confrontations over this time but most of these have taken place at Georgetown or in Madison Square Garden.

Both teams had set the stage for this Big Monday showdown. Syracuse with their dramatic win over Providence on Saturday and Georgetown with the win a few hours later in Washington D.C. against Pittsburgh. 2 days later the two teams took the court in Syracuse in front of a national TV audience and ESPN's premier crew of Bilas, Raftery and SU alum Sean McDonough.

The backdrop for this game was much different than in recent years. Georgetown found themselves in the top 10, while Syracuse hadn't been ranked since early December. Georgetown was playing for the league title. Syracuse was playing for their NCAA tournament lives.

Maybe it was the fact that Syracuse was an underdog in this game. Maybe it was the bright lights of Big Monday. Whatever the case, Syracuse fans were ready for this one. You could feel the electricity in the building the moment you passed through the turnstile.

When the game started, and Syracuse went on a run to close an early 7 point gap, the crowd was set off into a frenzy unlike any I've seen in the 100 or so games I've attended. The major difference was that the fans were on their feet for most of the action. Usually the selective Syracuse fans will pick and choose when they will stand and cheer. Monday night they were on their feet chanting 'Defense' when the Hoyas had the ball and 'Let's Go Orange' when Syracuse had possession.

In the second half, as the Syracuse defense shut down the Hoyas, the crowd revelled in the fact that the noise they were making was spurring on the D, and rattling the Georgetown players. On the other end of the court, with every 3 pointer from Andy Rautins and Demetris Nichols, the crowd grew louder and louder, roaring in appreciation.

As the final minutes ticked away, all the seniors, much maligned in their 4 years on the hill, exited the game one by one. First it was Terrance Roberts who received a nice ovation. Daryl Watkins was next as the crowd erupted in appreciation of his efforts against Georgetowns All-American front line. Finally, it was Demetris Nichols, who had saved his best play for the end of his career and the fans gave him a gigantic cheer as he exited the game for the last time at the Carrier Dome.

By this time, the fans (mostly students) had gathered in mass at the 2 ends of the court. Security prepared for the inevitable court rush which came as the final 3 seconds ran off the clock and Eric Devenforf lofted the ball into the bleachers. The scene was one that any Syracuse fan in attendance, who wasn't on the floor, stood and soaked in.

In a season filled with much disappointment, Monday night was redemption. Redemption for the players who came up with the kind of win that we weren't sure they were capable. Redemption in the form of a vastly improved NCAA Tournament resume. And maybe most importantly, a reminder of why Syracuse fans love their basketball program. All on display for a national TV audience.

The walk back down the hill after the game, and the subsequent beverage at Faegen's was most satisfying. And certainly not as cold as the walk up three hours prior.