With the Carrier Dome no more, even though the building stands the same, it will now be the JMA Wireless Dome or JMA Dome to the biggest college basketball arena in the country. Football and lacrosse play there too, but everyone knows basketball runs Central New York.
So, we here at The Fizz are going to be counting down the last five years of the Carrier Dome, and the top 5 moments that happened in the Dome under its old name.
5. Buddy’s Double Overtime Masterpiece
Just this past basketball season, Syracuse faced Indiana in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and the 1987 national championship rematch did not disappoint. The Orange led by double figures in both the first and second halves, but the game ended up going to overtime.
From there, Buddy Boeheim took over. The senior scored 27 points, dished out eight assists, and even swiped five steals. Both Jimmy Boeheim and Joe Girard III topped the 20-point mark as well, with 26 and 22 respectively.
Girard knocked down the game-winning free throws at the end of the second overtime, giving SU a big nonconference win in what ended up being a disappointing season.
4. 54-23 Senior Night Shellacking of Louisville in 2018
Just a couple of years before this game, Heisman favorite Lamar Jackson came to the Dome and put on an absolute show in Central New York, putting Syracuse defenders on skates and highlights all night. Two tears later, the Orange returned the favor to Jackson’s Cardinals.
SU put up 30 points in the second quarter, en route to its eighth win of the season and sending Louisville to its eighth loss. The Orange rushed for 360 yards and forced multiple turnovers to win convincingly on their way to the Camping World Bowl.
3. Tyus Takes Down Georgetown in 2018
With his team down 13 at halftime to an uninspiring Georgetown team, junior Tyus Battle knew his team could not lose to its former rival. Battle finished with 26 points on the afternoon and hit the game-winner with less than five seconds to go.
The Orange opened the second half on a 17-6 run, including a couple of nifty finishes around the basketball from Battle, and the back and forth action ensued until Battle ended it with a jumper just inside the three-point line.
2. Syracuse Upsets No. 2 Clemson 27-24 in 2017
Back to the gridiron, and one of the most memorable Syracuse upsets in recent memory. The Orange, in their second season under Dino Babers, were still not considered anything but a dweller in the ACC even after 2016’s upset win over Virginia Tech. But, on a Friday night in October, everything changed.
Syracuse has played Clemson tight almost every year since then but has not broken through. Eric Dungey threw for almost 280 yards and three touchdowns, while the SU defense had six sacks and a forced fumble. The Orange just had to kneel to take down the second-ranked team in the country in what still is Dino Babers’ best win as Syracuse head coach.
1. John Gillon Downs Duke in 2017
Number one. Could it be anything else? As someone who was at the game as a fan in the upper deck, it did not matter how far away you were from the court to feel the moment. It is the loudest I’ve ever heard a building. John Gillon’s banked-in three-pointer to beat Duke in 2017.
It may not have been everyone’s favorite Syracuse team, but it provided a lot of memories for fans including three top ten wins when it just missed the NCAA Tournament. That was a special night, when John Gillon, Andrew White III, Tyler Lydon, and company took down NBA superstar Jayson Tatum, and fellow NBA role players Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen.
So, there you have it, the top-5 moments of the Carrier Dome in the last five years. What are yours? Send us a tweet @OrangeFizz or leave a comment below on our website!
