Top Moments of 2008-2009, No. 3 Syracuse Reaches the Sweet 16
After two consecutive first round exits and two consecutive NIT bids, the Orange found itself in the NCAA Tournament poised to succeed for the first time since 2004 when Hakim Warrick and Gerry McNamara led the ‘Cuse into the Sweet 16 before bowing out to Alabama.
The Orange received a favorable draw to reach the Sweet 16 with Stephen F. Austin, a team who has trouble scoring, waiting in the first round and Arizona State, a team that runs a matchup zone which the ‘Cuse excels against, on the docket in the second round.
Behind Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf, the Orange rolled to two victories in Miami that sent the team to Memphis to tip-off with Blake Griffin and Oklahoma.
Oklahoma proved to be a much tougher test in the Sweet 16 as the National Player of the Year, Blake Griffin couldn’t be stopped. The Orange fell behind by 13 at halftime and were fighting to keep the game within 25 for most of the second half before making a late run to lose by only 13 points.
The game proved to be Jonny Flynn’s final game in Orange as the sophomore superstar played his last game for Syracuse. He is foregoing is final two years of eligibility to enter the NBA Draft. Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris have done the same, and they are expected to sign agent leaving no chance they can return for next season.
At least the Orange can take comfort in the fact that Blake Griffin drilled his head on the backboard while dunking.
