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ESPN College GameDay makes it way all across campus before SU-Duke showdown

Between Otto and Dome campers sledding down Crouse College and panels at the S.I. Newhouse School, ESPN's College GameDay left its mark on campus the day before the big game.

Although tip-off wasn't for another 30 hours, the hype leading up to the first ever ACC match-up between Syracuse and Duke made its way throughout campus when ESPN's College GameDay came to town.

Keri Potts, Brett Austin, Rece Davis and Jay Bilas kicked things off at 1 p.m at the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium in the S.I. Newhouse School. It was one of two panels on the day presented by the Newhouse Sports Media Center, the other being a baseball panel with Jayson Stark and Tim Kurkijan. The four talked about their personal adventures in the world of sports and journalism as well as the intriciacies of the show.

"Some content for Gameday gets planned weeks in advance," Austin, a producer for GameDay, said. "It's easier than football because the schedule is announced early."

Bilas even joked that he almost went to Syracuse, but didn't like the cold.

Almost immediately after the panel, GameDay videographers gathered students camping at the Carrier Dome at the top of the hill at Crouse College with Otto the Orange. While chanting "Go Orange" and "Beat Duke," the students sled down the hill with Otto. 

The rest of the GameDay cast, Digger Phelps and Jalen Rose, talked to members of the media at the Carrier Dome, providing a little analysis of the highly-anticipated match-up.

Phelps and Rose agreed that SU freshman point guard Tyler Ennis is something special, but the Blue Devils are on the rise over the last several games.

"Duke has rediscovered itself, especially its last two games," Phelps said. "They’re playing more aggressive, they’re defense is better, and they’re hitting the glass." 

Phelps called the Orange "a team of spurts," highlighting the team's two games against the Miami Hurricanes. In those games, SU went on big runs late in the game to pull away and win.

"They find ways to come at you, sooner or later, where they just wear you down," he said.

Rose, an unbashed Ennis-supporter, thinks the Orange have established an identity to become and instant powerhouse in the ACC.

“The Duke Blue Devils, along with other ACC schools, kind of have allowed Syracuse to come and be the new bully on the block," Rose said. "And I think Coach K and Jabari Parker and their crew would love to come and try to get a win."

The pre-game hoopla isn't over yet, the ESPN College GameDay show itself kicks off at 10 a.m. EST and the SU-Duke game is set for tip-off at 6:30 EST.

 

 

An old look for a new conference: Syracuse gets new uniforms for Boston College game

Nike released seven new Hyper Elite Dominance uniforms Thursday, including a throwback Syracuse uniform.

Syracuse may have joined the ACC this year, but they'll be wearing uniforms from the early Big East years.

Nike released seven new uniforms as part of the company's Hyper Elite Dominance series in a press release Thursday. Syracuse joins Michigan State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Duke, Oregon and North Carolina as the only teams to don these uniforms this season.

The uniforms "celebrates the past and present of seven outstanding programs" and all seven uniforms "honor each school's winning tradition with special logos, scripts and colors mined from each program’s past," according to the press release.

SU will wear its uniform against Boston College Feb. 19 in the Carrier Dome, and the uniforms will be available for fans in March, according to the release.

The top features designs similar something Sherman Douglas wore in the late 1980s, with a cursive Syracuse script. The shorts, on the other hand, are a hybrid mix between the '80s and '90s, especially the switch away from a navy blue to a shinier royal blue.


 

2014 SU football schedule includes eight 2013 bowl teams

After winning its third bowl game in four years, Syracuse will play some of the best teams in 2013, including Florida State, Louisville and Duke in the Carrier Dome.

The Orange look to build off a solid 2013 football campaign with a pretty tough 2014 schedule.

After year that saw 11 Atlantic Coast Conference (12 if your count the impending inclusion of Louisville in 2014) play in bowl games, the Orange face eight of them next season, according to the SU Athletic Department

SU plays its season opener against former Big East rival Villanova on Saturday August 30 in the Carrier Dome.

Luckily for the Orange, four of SU's six home games are against 2013 bowl teams: Maryland (Sept. 20), Louisville (Oct. 3), Florida State (Oct. 11) and Duke (Nov. 8). The Orange play on the road against Central Michigan (Sept. 13), Wake Forest (Oct. 18), Clemson (Oct. 25), Pittsburgh (Nov. 22) and Boston College (Nov. 19).

“We are focused on continuing the momentum from our third consecutive bowl win into the 2014 season," head coach Scott Shafer said, "beginning with the home opener against Villanova."

Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross is also excited about the 2014 schedule.

“This represents the kind of challenge and opportunity I know Coach Shafer will be really fired up about!" Gross said in a statement. "Our returning team wants to keep the momentum from last season to reach higher goals and represent for the community."

The Orange return 17 starters: seven on offense, seven on defense and three on special teams. Spring practice begins on March 18. 

Breaking News: DaJuan Coleman out for the remainder of the season

The sophomore center will need surgery to repair the injury to his left leg, according to head coach Jim Boeheim.

Despite remaining undefeated this season, Syracuse lost an important piece to its puzzle.

Sophomore center DaJuan Coleman, who has sat out the last three games with a left leg injury, will have surgery to repair that injury, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2013-2014 season, according to head coach Jim Boeheim.

"This is a tremendous disappointment, especially considering the amount of hard work DaJuan has been putting in with our basketball team," Boeheim said. "We will certainly miss his contributions."

In thirteen games this season, Coleman averaged 4.3 points-per-game and 4.3 rebounds-per-game. Coleman and junior forward Rakeem Christmas anchored the Orange frontcourt for the majority of the season, but Coleman has not played since SU's 72-52 victory over Virginia Tech on Jan. 7 and hasn't started since SU's victory over Villanova on Dec. 28. Sophomore forward Jerami Grant stepped in as the fifth starter for Syracuse while Coleman sat out with the injury. 

Coleman, the fourth-rated center in 2012 according to ESPNU, went to Jamesville-DeWitt High School.

Coleman had surgery on his meniscus last season, but this injury is believed to be different.

Four players join SU football for spring practice

Wide receiver Corey Cooper, quarterback A.J. Long, defensive tackle Wayne Williams and tight end Cameron MacPherson are enrolled for the spring semester and will practice with the team beginning on March 18.

Syracuse football ended with the Orange winning the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27, but head coach Scott Shafer is already gearing up for 2014.

Wide reciever Corey Cooper, orginally a 2013 commit, spent last semester at Jireh Prep School after failing to meet the academic qualifications to enroll at SU in fall. Cooper will bolster a recieving core that loses Christopher Clark to graduation, and looks to be an intriguing option for Terrel Hunt, should Hunt retain the starting job. A three-star recruit according to Rivals.com, Cooper had 41 receptions for 461 yards and six touchdowns during his senior year at Millbrook High School.

A.J. Long, who graduated a semester early from Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, Tenn., joins a crowded quarterback unit that includes 2013 starter Hunt, quarterback-turned-wide-reciever John Kinder, freshman Mitch Kimble and Austin Wilson and walk-on freshman Troy Green. Nevertheless, Long told Syracuse.com he was "gunning to be the starter," despite being the youngest quarterback on the roster. During his time at Friendship Christian School, he threw for over 10,000 yards and led his team to two Tennesee Class 2A State Championships. Long, a four-star recruit was one of the first 2014 recuits to commit to SU.

Defensive tackle Wayne Williams spent two years at ASA College before coming to SU. Williams committed to play for the Orange back in 2012, but academic issues forced him to spent two years in a junior college. With the loss of Jay Bromley in the middle of the defensive line, former three-star recruit and Brooklyn native Williams should fit immediately in Shafer and defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough's defense.

When one MacPherson leaves, another steps in his place. Cameron MacPherson, brother of senior center Macky MacPherson, transfered from Georgetown University after playing quarterback for two games for the Hoyas in 2012 and 2013. Like his older brother, MacPherson attended Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, N.Y., where he was the 2011 Sectional Championship Game Most Valuable Player, after throwing five touchdown passes. He won't be joining Long in the quarterback huddle, instead switching positions to tight end.

SU gets Texas Bowl bid, will play Minnesota on Dec. 27

After winning the Pinstripe Bowl last year, the Orange will play in a bowl game for the second straight bowl year and third in the last four years.

For the third time in his five years at SU, Scott Shafer is going bowling. But this time, he wil lead the Orange as head coach.

"It is great to see an ACC-Big Ten matchup in a terrific bowl game," Shafer said in a statement. "I couldn't be happier for our senior class."

Syracuse (6-6, 4-4 ACC) heads to Houston for the Texas Bowl and will face the Minnesota (8-4, 4-4 Big Ten) on Dec. 27 at 5 p.m. in Reliant Stadium, according to multiple reports. While nothing was confirmed until the Texas Bowl website announced the matchup at 8:45 p.m. Sunday night, Syracuse.com's Nate Mink said he was told by sources about SU's bid two hours before the official anouncement.  

The Orange are 1-3 against the Gophers all-time, falling in match-ups in 2009 and 2012. Syracuse, coming off a thrilling 34-31 victory against Boston College faces a Minnesota team that lost its last two games of the season to Wisconsion and Michigan State.

While the Texas Bowl is typically pairs a Big Ten school against a Big 12 school, not enough teams from the Big 12 won six games, give the Orange the change to fill in and play. 

 

 

SU wins EA Sports Maui Invitational

The Orange won its third Maui Invitational championship after defeating St. Francis Brooklyn, Minnesota, California and finally Baylor.

The last time Syracuse played in the Maui Invitational, the Orange cruised to a 76-63 victory over Indiana in 1998. This time around, the No. 8/7 Orange (6-0)  won in a similar fashion, beating the  No. 18/17 Baylor Bears (6-1)  in a 74-67 game that saw four SU players scoring in double figures.

But it wasn't an easy path to the Wayne Duke Trophy. The Orange first had to get through St. Francis Brooklyn, Minnesota and California before playing for the championship against Baylor. Oddly enough, the team Syracuse had the hardest trouble beating was St. Francis Brooklyn at home. When Syracuse finally made it to Maui, the Orange cruised past Minnesota and California, winning 75-67 and 92-81, respectively. 

The game versus Baylor was a little more difficult, as the Bears stayed within sight of the Orange lead throughout the entire contest. Going into halftime, the Orange held a 38-30 lead over the Bears, but Baylor bounced back in the second half. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the game and the Orange up only six points, freshman point guard Tyler Ennis stole the ball from Baylor's Ish Wainwright. Trevor Cooney extended the SU lead to 72-64 after two free throws; and although Baylor drew within five points, the Bears missed its final two three-point attempts and SU held on for its third Maui Invitiational Championship.

C.J. Fair, the tournament Most Valuable Player finished with a game-high 24 points and averaged 15.25 points for the whole tournament. Jerami Grant, Tyler Ennis and Trevor Cooney also were instrumental in the Orange's success. In the championship, Grant scored 19, while Ennis and Cooney added 11 points each. Ennis dished out nine assists as well.

The Orange return to the Carrier Dome Dec. 3 to play Indiana in the ACC/Big 10 Challenge. Syracuse defeated the Hoosiers in the 2013 NCAA Tournament on its path to the Final Four.

Orange Madness slated for Oct. 18

ESPNU will televise portions of the event, which gives the nation its first look at the Syracuse men's and women's basketball teams.

The official start of the 2013-2014 college basketball season is almost here.

This year's Orange Madness is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18 in the Carrier Dome, according to the Syracuse University Athletic department. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the event scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ESPNU plans to televise portions of the event as part of the station's four-hour Midnight Madness coverage of college basketball.  Admission is free for all SU and ESF students, while general admission tickets will be sold for $5 on Oct. 7. 

This year's event will feature scrimmages from both teams, a dunk contenst, entertainment from a to-be-announced artist and a juggling act from Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy. All fans in attendance will receive a free Orange glow stick and are encouraged to dress in all orange.

Both the men's a women's teams are coming off impressive seasons. Jim Boeheim and company finished the reason 30-10 and went to Final Four, while Quentin Hillsman's squad finished 24-8 and made it the NCAA tournament. 

Tyler Roberson cleared by NCAA play in 2013-2014 basketball season

Nobody was sure if the freshman forward would be able to suit up for the Orange this season, but after weeks of speculation, the NCAA allowed Roberson to play, according to multiple reports.

It was a long wait, but the final key piece in the 2013-2014 SU basketball team is finally in place. 

Tyler Roberson, a 6-foot-9-inch forward from Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, will suit up for the Orange in the team's first season in the Atlatic Coast Conference. Multiple sources confirmed this decision, including CBS Sports Network Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein:

SNY.tv's Adam Zagoria confirmed the report. Roberson had actually been taking course at Syracuse University while waiting for his transcript to be cleared, a source told Zagoria

Tyler Ennis, B.J. Johnson, Ron Patterson and Chinonso Obokoh complete the rest of SU's 2013 recruiting class. Roberson averaged 17.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks and led his high school to the New Jersey Tournament of Champions title. He was also named New Jersey Player of the Year.

Roberson had been waiting for the NCAA to confirm his transcript met the minimum standards for incoming student-athletes to be eligible to play as a freshman. Sources told Syracuse.com Roberson even took summer classes at Roselle Catholic to raise his grades.

Syracuse begins its season on Nov. 8 against Cornell in the Carrier Dome. 

SU lacrosse signing class ranked No. 2 in country

The Orange signed 16 players, seven of which are included in Inside Lacrosse's top-100 recruits. Jordan Evans of Jamesville, N.Y., the No. 1 overall prospect, headlines the list.

Syracuse lacrosse's future has never looked brighter.

Today, Inside Lacrosse ranked Syracuse's 2013-2014 signing class the second-best in the country, behind only the University of Maryland. This is the second time the Orange have been given the No. 2 ranking. In 2010, Syracuse finished 13-2, but lost to Army in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. 

Headlining the 2013-2014 recruiting class is midfielder/attackman Jordan Evans of Jamesville-Dewitt High School. At J-D, Evans broke the school record with 182 points (82 goals, 100 assists) as a senior. He was also played on the basketball team for two seasons and was teammates with SU center DaJuan Coleman. He will wear the legendary number 22 on his jersey, which was previously worn by Gary Gait, all three Powell brothers -- Casey, Ryan and Michael -- and most recently, JoJo Marasco.

“I’m excited to see them get out on the practice field and compete in an Orange jersey for the first time,” SU head coach John Desko said in a press release Wednesday. “We feel like it’s a strong, competitive group that’s balanced at all positions.”

Other SU signees include:

  • Joe DeMarco, midfield, of Massapequa, N.Y. (Massapequa High School)
  • Parker Ferrigan, goalie, of Baldwinsville, N.Y. (C.W. Baker High School)
  • Scott Firman, defense, of Fayetteville, N.Y. (Jamesville-DeWitt High School)
  • JT Forkin, midfield, of Long Beach, N.Y. (Long Beach High School)
  • Matt Lane, attack, of Upper Montclair, N.J. (Montclair Kimberley Academy)
  • Dylan Maltz, attack, of Ashburn, Va. (Stone Bridge High School). Younger brother of SU attackman Derek Maltz.
  • Niko Manning, long-stick midfield, of Baldwinsville, N.Y. (C.W Baker High School/Onondaga Community College)
  • Hayes McGinley, midfield, of Bentleyville, Ohio (University School)
  • Syrrus Nash, midfield, of Tully, N.Y. (Tully High School)
  • Josh Pulver, defense, of Manlius, N.Y. (Fayetteville-Manlius High School)
  • Spencer Schmitt, midfield of Encinitas, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic High School)
  • Ryan Simmons, midfield, of Fayetteville, N.Y. (Fayetteville-Manlius High School/Salisbury School (Conn.))
  • Winston Wenham, defense, of Ithaca, N.Y. (Ithaca High School/Northfield Mount Hermon School (Mass.))
  • Nick Weston, midfield, of Honeoye Falls, N.Y. (Honeoye Falls-Lima High School/Salisbury School (Conn.))
  • Jimmy Wyrick, defense, of Round Hill, Va. (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School)