On Easter Sunday, the 10th-seeded Syracuse Orange upset No. 1 seed Virginia in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Final by the score of 68-62 to advance to their second Final Four in four years. It is also the school’s fifth appearance under coach Jim Boeheim.
The Orange were down 36-21 heading into halftime, but a second-half surge in the last 10 minutes of the game proved to be too much for Virginia. In addition to a suffocating full court press, freshman Malachi Richardson scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half after going 0-5 in the first half of play. Syracuse outscored the Cavaliers 47-27 in the second half en route to the victory that Boeheim called “one of the best (comebacks) I’ve coached (with) any team I’ve had.”
After the game’s conclusion, Orange players from years past made their presence known on social media to praise the team’s win.
Carmelo Anthony, one of Syracuse’s most beloved alumni after leading the Orange to their only National Championship in 2003, took to his public Snapchat account to make his happiness known:
Former Syracuse standouts Rakeem Christmas, C.J. Fair and Tyler Ennis attended the game in Chicago:
Sharing this moment with guys who helped get us here: @R_Xmas25 @cjfair @tdot_ennis pic.twitter.com/7bGwG4Yw9F
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 28, 2016
Christmas, along with other members of Syracuse’s 2013 Final Four team Baye Mousa Keita and Michael Carter-Williams, posted on Twitter to help celebrate:
Proud of these guys ?: @sammaller pic.twitter.com/L2xCKUdS0M
— Rakeem Christmas (@R_Xmas25) March 28, 2016
Proud to be an Orangeman. Final Four bound #CuseNation #CuseMode #FinalFour ?? pic.twitter.com/fNmvlWBNEd
— Baye Moussa Keita (@Bayekeita) March 28, 2016
What is y'all next excuse we haven't played a good team, we shouldn't be in the tourney!!!! Tell me please please!! ??????
— Michael Carter-Willi (@MCW1) March 28, 2016
So proud of the seniors
— Michael Carter-Willi (@MCW1) March 28, 2016
Our men's and women's team lit!! If you are hating stay quiet!
— Michael Carter-Willi (@MCW1) March 28, 2016
Other recent Orange alums Kris Joseph and Chris McCullough chimed in as well:
MOOD!!! ?????? #FinalFourBound pic.twitter.com/fWUBPHBwOj
— Monsieur Joseph (@RealKrisJo) March 28, 2016
???? pic.twitter.com/H5ERq77SBP
— Monsieur Joseph (@RealKrisJo) March 28, 2016
"They" didn't want us to win! Final Four @Cuse_MBB @CuseWBB
— Chris McCullough (@briskuno) March 28, 2016
Terrance Roberts and Eric Devendorf, both Syracuse players from the mid-2000s, were also watching and rooting on their alma mater:
I'm so glad the Cuse Final 4 shirts don't go to waste…
— Terrence Roberts (@TjR_16) March 28, 2016
To whom much is given much is expected!!! @dajuancoleman32 I'm proud of you boy
— Terrence Roberts (@TjR_16) March 28, 2016
#Mood "It Feels good, yea" pic.twitter.com/mfE4K9GDDI
— Terrence Roberts (@TjR_16) March 28, 2016
Final 4 ???
— Eric Devendorf (@edeven23) March 28, 2016
I know the Cuse is going crazy right now, when the last time a program had men's and women's teams both n the final 4? ✔️ for the university
— Eric Devendorf (@edeven23) March 28, 2016
Cuse we go hard!!! Love my school and community!!!! ???? pic.twitter.com/xXqv9CXbNM
— Eric Devendorf (@edeven23) March 28, 2016
Syracuse legend Derrick Coleman was especially enthusiastic after the win:
Houston we have a problem Syracuse is on there way pic.twitter.com/1B95SNAqJN
— Derrick Coleman (@44TheLegend) March 28, 2016
Houston We Have A Problem pic.twitter.com/ubYy6vHEGO
— Derrick Coleman (@44TheLegend) March 28, 2016
Orangenation just for you pic.twitter.com/AGQuSYw2AR
— Derrick Coleman (@44TheLegend) March 28, 2016
Current assistant coaches and former Orange players Mike Hopkins and Gerry McNamara congratulated their team on a job well done:
Incredible comeback! The guys played with so much heart tonight. I couldn't be more proud of the effort. Never quit! #FinalFour #CuseMode
— Coach Mike Hopkins (@Coach_Hopkins) March 28, 2016
Just boarding our flight home from Chicago. Congrats to @CuseWBB on making the #FinalFour! Unprecedented success for the program. Amazing!
— Coach Mike Hopkins (@Coach_Hopkins) March 28, 2016
Last night was one of the most incredible games I've been a part of in all my time at Cuse as a player and coach. On to Houston! #CuseMode
— Coach Mike Hopkins (@Coach_Hopkins) March 28, 2016
No quit in these boys! The ? are headed to Houston!!
— Gerry McNamara (@Coach_McNamara) March 28, 2016
Even current freshman Tyler Lydon and future member of the Orange Tyus Battle got in on the festivities:
I'll see y'all in HOUSTON!!! ? #1KP #UhOh
— Tyler Lydon (@Tyler_Lydon14) March 28, 2016
They said we don't belong in the tournament…???????
— tyus battle (@tyusbattle1) March 28, 2016
CUSSSEEEEE?????
— tyus battle (@tyusbattle1) March 28, 2016
The Orange will play their second No. 1 seed in a row in North Carolina on Friday, April 1, at 8:49 p.m. on TBS. Syracuse lost to the Tar Heels earlier in the season 84-73 in the Carrier Dome.
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