Greatest game ever? UConn, Syracuse involved in SIX-Overtime Classic!
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on March 13, 2009
This could easily go down as the greatest college basketball game to ever be played.
In a 3 hour & 46 minute physical battle that featured 209 field goal attempts, 58 three-point attempts, 93 free-throw attempts, 125 rebounds & 244 points scored, the Syracuse Orange FINALLY outlasted the Connecticut Huskies 127-117 in a instant Madison Square Garden classic that required SIX overtimes.
It almsot never even got to that point, as Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf hit a desperation fallaway three as time expired in regulation that appeared to be the game-winning basket. (Play can be seen at the link below)
However, after officials took several minutes to review the play, it was wiped out as Devendorf failed to get the shot off before the clock hit “00.0.”
In the first overtime, Syracuse’s Rick Jackson tied it with a dunk off a beautiful feed from Jonny Flynn with 4.7 seconds left. Connecticut’s Kemba Walker then brought the ball upcourt & put up a double-clutch shot that hit the front of the rim, which forced a second overtime.
In the second overtime, Syracuse’s Eric Devendorf split a pair of free-throws to tie the game at 87. Connecticut then had THREE chances to try & take the lead, but fell short as Syracuse got the ball back with 29.6 seconds left. Flynn then missed a jumper from the top of the key, which Connecticut rebounded without calling timeout. Walker then launched a near halfcourt heave that ALMOST went down, as it hit the back of the rim..this forced a third overtime.
In the third overtime, Syracuse’s Andy Rautins came off a screen & drilled a game-tying three with 11.7 left. Connecticut’s A.J. Price then missed a three-pointer that barely hit the rim while Jeff Adrien missed on the follow as time expired, which forced a fourth overtime.
In the fourth overtime, Devendorf tied it with his coast-to-coast left handed layup with 1:51 remaining. Both teams had several shots to take the lead before Syracuse’s Paul Harris missed a point-blank chance at the rim to win the game before his 2nd attempt was blocked. This forced overtime number FIVE!
In the fifth overtime, Flynn tied it on two clutch free-throws with 20.7 remaining. Connecticut’s A.J. Price then misfired on a step-back three before Adrien missed another 2nd chance shot, which forced a SIXTH overtime.
In the sixth overtime, Syracuse finally pulled away with an 8-0 run that Connecticut never rebounded from. Amazingly enough, Andy Rautins’ three-pointer was the go-ahead bucket for Syracuse, which grabbed their FIRST lead in any of the six overtimes.
As the buzzer sounded to put an end on the 2nd longest College Basketball game ever to be played, here’s what Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim had to say about his team’s effort:
“I’ve got no words. I’ve never been prouder of any team I’ve coached.”
“It would have been a lot better if they just counted Eric’s shot and we could have gone home 2 hours ago, but that’s the way it goes.”
Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun added:
“It’s a loss. There was something historic about the game, certainly. Both teams competed. Rautins’ big 3, A.J.’s big plays. … I’m sure in the summertime I’ll look back at what a historic battle it was. Right now. it’s a loss.”
“We wanted to play tomorrow night, and playing Friday night in Madison Square Garden, playing in the semifinals, is pretty special.”
For Syracuse, Jonny Flynn scored 34 points, dished out 11 assists & recorded 6 steals in a game-high 67 minutes of action. Paul Harris provided a monster performance with 29 points & 22 rebounds, as he was the only Syracuse player to reach double-figures in rebounding.
Eric Devendorf also added 22 points in 61 minutes & Andy Rautins scored 20 points in 49 minutes.
Connecticut was led by A.J. Price’s 33 points & 10 assists in 61 minutes of play. Stanley Robinson added 28 points & 14 rebounds, while Hasheem Thabeet (19 points, 14 rebounds & 6 blocks) and Jeff Adrien (12 points, 14 rebounds & 7 assists) also contributed with double-doubles.
In a fitting matter, Syracuse will play in the second of two games tonight at Madison Square Garden, as they will take on West Virginia at 9pm EST in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.
2009 © BMS Radio Chicago All Rights Reserved. The written content is property of this site. All team and league information, sports logos, photos, and names contained within this site are property of their respective organizations.
