Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim and Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski shake hands at half court before a game at the Carrier Dome. Together, the two have totaled over 2,000 victories during their hall-of-fame careers.
Coaching legends, hall-of-famers, and close friends in Jim Boeheim of the Orange and Mike Krzyzewski of the Blue Devils. The duo are the two winningest coaches in college basketball history and are coaching royalty. Cameron Crazzies and record-setting Carrier Dome crowds. Plain and simple it is must see television.
For nearly a decade the matchup has been a featured attraction in the Atlantic Coast Conference and all of college basketball. The sport welcomed the annual clash of titans when Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013. Since then this matchup has been nothing short of brilliant.
Double-digit seeds usually
have a short stay in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. In fact, only five
double- digit seeds have ever reached the Final Four since 1979 when the
selection committee began seeding teams. While the intrigue, drama, and excitement
of this event is largely built on these lower seeds knocking off their favored
counterparts, they typically have been eliminated during the first weekend of
play after a win or two if you include the First Four which started in 2011.
Not if you are Syracuse.
The Orange have defied
the odds. Syracuse has advanced to the Sweet 16 in three of the last five NCAA tournaments
as a double-digit seed. The Orange are there this year as a No. 11 seed and
will meet No. 2 Houston in the Midwest regional semifinals tonight. Tip-off is
set for 9:55 pm EST.
Syracuse has added to the appeal of March Madness over the years based on its’ dramatic play.
While this success is a
credit to the coaching of hall-of-fame head coach Jim Boeheim and his heavily
capable assistants, it is also Syracuse’s fabled 2-3 zone defense that is a
major factor in befuddling opponents as they are not used to it. A proven
winner and an elite coach, Boeheim and his assistants do a masterful job of
getting the most out of their players and improving during the season. While
the Orange have finished anywhere between sixth and 10th in the final
ACC regular season standings over the last six seasons, Syracuse is typically on
the upswing the last week of the regular season as they head into March.
Louie Dampier’s name might not resonate as widely as other basketball legends, but the Sports Then & Now Vintage Athlete of the Month’s impact on the game, particularly during the American Basketball Association (ABA) era, is undeniable. Known for his pinpoint shooting, exceptional ball handling, and relentless work ethic, Dampier enjoyed a stellar basketball career that saw him thrive in both the ABA and NBA. As one of the most consistent and prolific guards of his time, Dampier left a lasting legacy, and his role in the ABA’s history solidified his place in the annals of basketball greatness.
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