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ESPN unveiled its “College Gameday” schedule for hoops, and Syracuse-Georgetown predictably makes the cut. ESPN.com’s Eamonn Brennan writes:
“And in the final scheduled weekend of the season, GameDay takes things to a whole ‚Äònother level. On March 9, the crew will begin their day in Washington, D.C., where Georgetown will host hated rival Syracuse in what could be the series‚Äô final game, depending on Syracuse‚Äôs willingness to schedule the Hoyas after the Orange complete their move to the ACC next season.”¬†¬†
Just reading that in print makes me start questioning my mortality. Could that really be¬†the final SU-G’town game ever? SU will host the Hoyas at the Dome earlier in the season, and the two schools could of course battle in the Big East Tournament (could you imagine how epic it could be for these two enemies to play in the BET title game?).
But it’s going to start sinking in for the next eight months every time the Orange play a team and the words “final time ever” pop up. Look, if this is a Syracuse call Darryl Gross should schedule an annual series with G’Town, no questions asked. SU has ramped up its non-conference schedule in recent years. Do three-year series where you play at the Dome, the Verizon Center and the Garden. There’s no excuse besides ego why this shouldn’t continue past this season.¬†
For that matter, Gross should make it a point to try and get Georgetown, Villanova and UConn on the non-con slate¬†as much as possible. You don’t have to play all three every year, but there’s no reason why those three legendary rivals shouldn’t be on rotation. You lose the Rutgers, St. John’s and Seton Hall matchups? Fine. But keep the ones that count.
The Hoyas, Wildcats and Huskies are tough games to play outside your league. But they’re always going to be. That’s what makes them special. For every Duke and UNC clash, the Orange will have mundane games against Clemson and Miami hoops. Make sure the SU basketball campaign doesn’t lose its sizzle. With recruiting ties and major talent coming from DC and Philly, making sure you play games in those cities against G’Town and ‘Nova makes sense. Games against Maryland could supplement around the nation’s capital, but nothing brings the heat like Orange-Hoyas.
If ESPN College Gameday is present in February at the final SU-G’Town game, it’ll be a disastrous mistake. And not just because we’ll have to endure that much Jalen Rose.
Do you think SU should keep the G’Town rivalry alive once it leaves for the ACC?¬†
Posted: D.A.
