Boeheim‚Äôs Army is hoping that the third time’s the charm in The Tournament. The Syracuse alumni team is off to the right start as it has rolled to back-to-back victories, the first being a 99-66 drubbing against the Dubois Dream and the other a 106-100 win over Gaelnation, an Iona Alumni squad.
Boeheim’s Army has received contributions from all over through its first two contests. Against the Dream, 2017 SU grad John Gillon paced the six double-figure scorers on the team with 26 points. Along with Gillon’s scoring outbreak, 2013 Final Four starter Brandon Triche notched a triple-double with 11 points, 11 boards and 12 assists.
Game two was a little bit tighter. But former Sacramento King and SU one-and-done Donte Greene held off the Iona alums by dropping 32 points. He was complemented by current Orange assistant strength coach Eric Devendorf’s 23 points.
But now it’s time to look ahead for Boeheim’s Army, who has over a week until it next hits the floor. You may think they have the home court advantage in this one with the game being played in Brooklyn, and as Boeheim’s Army GM Kevin Belbey told the Fizz in a recent interview, the New York contingency in the Big Apple is even bigger than you may expect and they will be out in full force. However, their next opponent, seventh seeded Team Fancy/RYU, is comprised of professional players from New York City. This team is coming off of an upset win over number two seed Supernova, Villanova’s alumni team, that featured one of the best player in The Tournament in Scottie Reynolds. While it would have been cool to see an old Big East rivalry renewed in NYC, it’s probably for the better that the SU alumni get Fancy/RYU in the third round.
If Boeheim’s Army can get past the Super 16, it will have the chance to make team history and win the Northeast Region for the first time ever. However, it won’t be easy. Boeheim’s Army would have to take on either top seeded FCM Untouchables, featuring 10 former pros, or Team FOE, a mostly Kansas alumni squad whose GM’s are Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris and his twin Marcus, a member of the Detroit Pistons. Either one of these teams will be a handful for Boeheim’s Army. The Untouchables have two former NBA players in Jerrelle Benimon and Gani Lawal. As for Team FOE, they’re led by former Jayhawk Tyshawn Taylor and Warriors’ guard Klay Thompson’s brother, Mychel, also the son of two-time NBA champ Mychal Thompson.
However this all shakes out, there’s quality basketball on the horizon. The Tournament is a great way to connect with former Orange stars. This year’s roster is one of the most interesting in recent memory, and certainly has the talent to reach new heights for the program.
