Spring Break
The Storrs Side: Syracuse the closest thing to a basketball rivalry for UConn
Russell Blair
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: Sports
Even though UConn basketball has been competitive in the Big East for nearly 20 years, it's still hard to clearly define the Huskies' main rival..
Some may point to Providence, the undersized college that had vexed the Huskies the last three years. Others may suggest Villanova and their talented stable of guards, including Scottie Reynolds, who dropped 41 points at Gampel Pavilion two seasons ago.
But judging from the atmosphere and the crowd at the UConn game against Syracuse on Wednesday night, the Orange might just be the closest thing the Huskies have to a big-time basketball rival.
Despite being just 1-2 overall as the No. 1 team in the nation against Syracuse, the Huskies put on a performance offensively and defensively Wednesday, defeating the Orange by a score of 63-49.
From the overwhelming size of the student section - fans were seen lining up and camping out for seats as early as Monday night for the Wednesday night tipoff - to the electric cheers that echoed throughout Gampel, it was easy to see that this was a highly anticipated game.
Though Syracuse led the overall series with UConn 47-35, they had never defeated the Huskies at Gampel and the statistic proved true. In a time when many people take for granted that UConn has been rolling over the competition all season long, Syracuse reminded Huskies fans what it was like to face a team that you truly love to hate.
While the Huskies' next matchup with the Orange this season will likely come in the Big East Tournament, if at all, fans must still appreciate beating one of the biggest rivals our men's basketball team has in a game that won't return to Gampel Pavilion for at least two years.
With many of the larger rivalry games this season, such as Villanova and Pittsburgh, being played at the XL Center, it's tough to get the same atmosphere and involvement from the crowd seen Wednesday night at Gampel.
Some may point to Providence, the undersized college that had vexed the Huskies the last three years. Others may suggest Villanova and their talented stable of guards, including Scottie Reynolds, who dropped 41 points at Gampel Pavilion two seasons ago.
But judging from the atmosphere and the crowd at the UConn game against Syracuse on Wednesday night, the Orange might just be the closest thing the Huskies have to a big-time basketball rival.
Despite being just 1-2 overall as the No. 1 team in the nation against Syracuse, the Huskies put on a performance offensively and defensively Wednesday, defeating the Orange by a score of 63-49.
From the overwhelming size of the student section - fans were seen lining up and camping out for seats as early as Monday night for the Wednesday night tipoff - to the electric cheers that echoed throughout Gampel, it was easy to see that this was a highly anticipated game.
Though Syracuse led the overall series with UConn 47-35, they had never defeated the Huskies at Gampel and the statistic proved true. In a time when many people take for granted that UConn has been rolling over the competition all season long, Syracuse reminded Huskies fans what it was like to face a team that you truly love to hate.
While the Huskies' next matchup with the Orange this season will likely come in the Big East Tournament, if at all, fans must still appreciate beating one of the biggest rivals our men's basketball team has in a game that won't return to Gampel Pavilion for at least two years.
With many of the larger rivalry games this season, such as Villanova and Pittsburgh, being played at the XL Center, it's tough to get the same atmosphere and involvement from the crowd seen Wednesday night at Gampel.
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