What ranks as the best March buzzer beater in Orange history? With the ACC Tournament beginning on Tuesday, you have your choice.
The Syracuse University men's basketball team kicks off its Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament run on Tuesday afternoon (4:30 p.m. ET) against SMU. Syracuse is the No. 14 seed while SMU is the No. 11.
Everything you need to know, including how to watch, can be found here.
While it's been a difficult 15-16 season for the Orange, it is always fun to enter the tournament settings of March.
With that, we've assembled some of the best 'March Moments' in Orange basketball history. Will anyone add to this list on Tuesday?
Not in March? Not on the list
Most Syracuse fans would argue the most iconic buzzer-beater in program history is Pearl Washington's half-court shot against Boston College in 1984. That shot happened in JANUARY so it does not make the cut. Sorry, Orange nation.
Other Orange fans would argue that Tyler Ennis' shot against Pittsburgh in 2014 is the most improbable buzzer-beater in Orange history. Ennis' half-court heave preserved an undefeated season but again, this shot was made in FEBRUARY. Close, but no cigar.
No. 5 ONIONS! And then six overtimes
Can a buzzer-beater that didn't actually count make the list? Eric Devendorf's shot at the end of regulation in the 2009 Big East Tournament nearly beat Connecticut. Instead? We went onto watch a six-overtime thriller. Luckily, SU won that game 127-117.
No. 4 March 1998 - Ryan Blackwell in the Big East semis
This shot just oozes old-time New York basketball. Syracuse vs St. John's. Big East semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Syracuse alum Mike Tirico with the call. It's old-time nostalgia for longtime SU fans. Current Siena Saints men's basketball assistant head coach Ryan Blackwell knocks down the jumper to push Syracuse into the Big East finals. The Orange would lose to UConn in the title game, but still qualified for the NCAA tournament. As a No. 5 seed, the Orange advanced to the Sweet 16 before losing to Duke.
No. 3 1998 Janulis and Syracuse avoid Iona upset
1998 provided not one but two iconic buzzer-beaters! The Orange avoided the upset in the No. 5 vs. No. 12 NCAA Tournament matchup thanks to Marius Janulis' three-point shot, which lifted the Orange over the Gaels. As someone who grew up remembering the whip-around March Madness coverage, I love the video below which jumps from this game to the Valpo-Ole Miss Bryce Drew buzzer-beater moments after.
No. 2 Jason Cipolla and John Wallace 1996 NCAA Tournament
So much greatness here. The in-bounds pass. The shot. The Orange defeating Georgia in the Sweet 16. This shot helped Syracuse reach the Final Four before they eventually lost to Kentucky in the national championship game.
No. 1 G-Mac vs Cincinnati at MSG
The Big East Tournament. The shot that sparked "Over Rated?!" t-shirts across Central New York. The senior guard scored as time expired at Madison Square Garden in the team's opening round game of the Big East tournament. The Orange won the remainder of their games, clinching the Big East championship and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
What do you make of our list? Do you have your own thoughts on SU's March history?
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