Syracuse hoops fans had a ball at Orange Madness Friday evening at the Carrier Dome. The annual pre-season event introduces the men’s and women’s basketball teams and allows them to shine under beaming lights and blasting music.
The players came onto the court individually from different corners of the arena. As the cameras aimed at them, their mugs on the big screen, they danced, carried flags, or, simply walked like a boss to their own song selection. Then, assistant coaches walked in accompanied by soldiers of Fort Drum military base in uniform. Head men’s and women’s coaches, Jim Boeheim [13] and Quentin Hillsman [14], respectively, joined the party.
Coach Boeheim said only one thing at the event, and, while he normally says very little, this small statement packed a punch.
He pointed towards the men in uniform and said, “These are the guys that are over there in the toughest place, thank you.”
After, there was a huddle and pump-up session between the soldiers and players as they danced together to songs like the infamous “Nae Nae.” There was a three-song performance from rapper NF; the crowd rallied behind his single, “All I Have [15]”.
The women’s team then played a ten-minute game that, as expected, was more like a friendly shoot-around. Light competition where the fans still got to see what they were made of.
A performance by the Syracuse cheerleading team and dance squad preluded the skills/four-shot and three-point shooting contest.
Then, the men’s team played two halves of eight minutes in the same, competitive yet friendly style.
Action on the court concluded with a dunk contest which saw sophomore forward Doyin Akintobi-Adeyeye [16] earn the judge’s highest scores.
After, fans were able to meet with players on the other side of the Carrier Dome to take part in ‘Cuse Selfies.
The men's season officially begins at home on Nov. 13 against Lehigh, while the women’s team will start on the same day at Rhode Island. The men’s team will play two exhibition games on the second and eigth of November, against Le Moyne and Florida Southern, respectively.
