2006-07 Syracuse Orange men's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 2006–07 Syracuse Orange men's basketball team represented Syracuse University
. The Head Coach was Jim Boeheim
, serving for his 31st year. The team played its home games at the Carrier Dome
in Syracuse, New York
. The team finished with a 24–11 (10–6) record, while making it to the quarterfinal round of the NIT tournament
. The team was led by its three seniors, Demetris Nichols
, Darryl Watkins
and Terrence Roberts
. Also seeing time in the starting lineup was senior Matt Gorman
, junior Josh Wright, sophomores Eric Devendorf
and Andy Rautins
and freshman Paul Harris
.
. Even without McNamara, the Orange had experience across the front line including seniors Demetris Nichols, Darryl Watkins and Terrence Roberts, while junior Josh Wright and sophomore Eric Devendorf rounded out the lineup. Other key players off the bench included sharp-shooting Andy Rautins, highly touted freshman Paul Harris, Mike Jones, Arinze Onuaku
and senior Matt Gorman, the only holdover from the 2003 National Championship team.
Before the season even started, the Orange was hit with the injury bug, as Onuaku had season ending knee surgery. The Orange started ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25 Poll, and won their first seven games, although they struggled through the early part of their schedule.
Injuries struck once again, as Watkins broke his nose against UTEP, and Roberts hurt his knee versus Drexel. Meanwhile, Devendorf missed time because of the death of a friend from his hometown in Michigan. This played into their early season struggles, as Syracuse lost three games to Oklahoma State, Wichita State and Drexel.
Devendorf was replaced in the lineup by Rautins, and while Harris showed flashes of his talent on defense and rebounding, he struggled with his shot and saw his playing time decrease.
Syracuse started its Big East schedule with a loss to Pittsburgh, but wins at Marquette
and versus Villanova
and a narrow escape against Cincinnati
. The win against the Bearcats would prove to be the calm before the storm, as Syracuse then lost to St. Johns, blew a 14 point lead at Louisville, and gave up 103 points in a loss to Notre Dame
in the Carrier Dome. Seemingly a lock for the NCAA Tournament
at the beginning of the season, the Orange was now a bubble-team. After winning against DePaul and then losing at Connecticut
, Nichols scored a career-high 37 points in a two-point win against St. Johns.
With the team's record at 16–8 overall and 5–5 in the Big East conference, Boeheim made several adjustments in the Syracuse lineup. He sent the struggling Wright to the bench and moved Devendorf to the starting point guard position and Rautins to shooting guard.
The move paid dividends, as Rautins went on a shooting tear and helped the Orange to win five of their remaining six regular season games. One of those wins was against No. 10 Georgetown
at the Carrier Dome
, which many assumed stamped Syracuse's ticket to the NCAA Tournament. At season's end, Syracuse posted a 21–8 record and 10–6 in Big East play.
In the Big East Tournament, Syracuse seemed to put the cherry on the top of their NCAA bid, beating Connecticut soundly in the first round before getting knocked out by Notre Dame in the second round. However, on Selection Sunday, Syracuse fans were stunned when the Orange was not selected to the NCAA Tournament.
It was the first time that a team with 10 wins in the Big East Conference was not invited to the NCAA tournament. Selection Committee Chairman Gary Walters said some of the factors in not inviting Syracuse included playing an uneven in-conference schedule, and having a weak non-conference schedule.
Syracuse headed to the National Invitation Tournament
for the first time since the 2001–02 season. It defeated South Alabama and San Diego State before losing to Clemson in the quarterfinals of the NIT.
At season's end, Nichols was selected as a First Team All Big East performer, while Devendorf received All Big East Honorable Mention. Harris was named to the Big East All Rookie team.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. The Head Coach was Jim Boeheim
Jim Boeheim
James Arthur "Jim" Boeheim is the head coach of the men's basketball team at Syracuse University. Boeheim has guided the Orange to eight Big East regular season championships, five Big East Tournament championships, and 28 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three appearances in the national...
, serving for his 31st year. The team played its home games at the Carrier Dome
Carrier Dome
The Carrier Dome is a 49,250-seat domed sports stadium located on the campus of Syracuse University in the University Hill neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, USA. It is home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. High school football championships are also held in "The...
in Syracuse, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The team finished with a 24–11 (10–6) record, while making it to the quarterfinal round of the NIT tournament
2007 National Invitation Tournament
The 2007 National Invitation Tournament was a single-elimination tournament of 32 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams which did not participate in the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
. The team was led by its three seniors, Demetris Nichols
Demetris Nichols
Demetris Nichols is an American professional basketball player. He played small forward for the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team, and has been a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and New York Knicks.-High school:He was coached by Mike Hart at St...
, Darryl Watkins
Darryl Watkins
Darryl "Mookie" Finesse Watkins is an American professional basketball player. He is a former college basketball player for the Syracuse Orange who has a reputation for his shot-blocking ability.- High school :...
and Terrence Roberts
Terrence Roberts (basketball)
Terrence Roberts is a former college basketball player for the Syracuse Orange from Jersey City, New Jersey who currently plays for Universitatea Cluj in Romania.-High school:...
. Also seeing time in the starting lineup was senior Matt Gorman
Matt Gorman
Matt Gorman was a professional basketball player for the Sheffield Sharks. He played college basketball for Syracuse University during their first National Championship in 2003. He is now a director of the Watertown Teen Center, which is operated by the Children's Home of Jefferson County...
, junior Josh Wright, sophomores Eric Devendorf
Eric Devendorf
Eric Devendorf is an American professional basketball player from Bay City, Michigan who came from Oak Hill Academy and played for the Syracuse University Orange. He currently plays for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League....
and Andy Rautins
Andy Rautins
Andrew Jay "Andy" Rautins is a , 205 lbs. guard for the New York Knicks of the NBA. He was born in Syracuse, New York. He is a Canadian citizen and played for the Syracuse Orange and Canadian Men's National Basketball team...
and freshman Paul Harris
Paul Harris (basketball)
Paul Harris is an American professional basketball player who recently played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association...
.
Season Recap
Syracuse began its 2006–07 season looking for leadership after the graduation of four-year starter Gerry McNamaraGerry McNamara
Gerry McNamara Sucks because he did not get drafted into the NBA.Gerry McNamara is a former American basketball player and current graduate assistant coach. He is a former guard for the Syracuse University men's team, from 2002 to 2006...
. Even without McNamara, the Orange had experience across the front line including seniors Demetris Nichols, Darryl Watkins and Terrence Roberts, while junior Josh Wright and sophomore Eric Devendorf rounded out the lineup. Other key players off the bench included sharp-shooting Andy Rautins, highly touted freshman Paul Harris, Mike Jones, Arinze Onuaku
Arinze Onuaku
Arinze Onuaku is a 6'9", 275lb professional basketball player from Lanham, Maryland who was on the Syracuse Orange basketball team. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. He is currently playing with the LKL team, Klaipėdos Neptūnas....
and senior Matt Gorman, the only holdover from the 2003 National Championship team.
Before the season even started, the Orange was hit with the injury bug, as Onuaku had season ending knee surgery. The Orange started ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25 Poll, and won their first seven games, although they struggled through the early part of their schedule.
Injuries struck once again, as Watkins broke his nose against UTEP, and Roberts hurt his knee versus Drexel. Meanwhile, Devendorf missed time because of the death of a friend from his hometown in Michigan. This played into their early season struggles, as Syracuse lost three games to Oklahoma State, Wichita State and Drexel.
Devendorf was replaced in the lineup by Rautins, and while Harris showed flashes of his talent on defense and rebounding, he struggled with his shot and saw his playing time decrease.
Syracuse started its Big East schedule with a loss to Pittsburgh, but wins at Marquette
Marquette Golden Eagles
The Marquette Golden Eagles are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Marquette University....
and versus Villanova
Villanova Wildcats
The Villanova Wildcats is the name of the athletic teams of Villanova University. They compete in the Big East for every sport except football, where they compete in the Colonial Athletic Association .-Men's basketball:The Villanova Wildcats compete in the Big EAST and are currently coached by Jay...
and a narrow escape against Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati. Since July 1, 2005, the school's athletic teams have been members of the Big East Conference....
. The win against the Bearcats would prove to be the calm before the storm, as Syracuse then lost to St. Johns, blew a 14 point lead at Louisville, and gave up 103 points in a loss to Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. The program competes in the Big East Conference of NCAA Division I. The school holds two national championships in...
in the Carrier Dome. Seemingly a lock for the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
at the beginning of the season, the Orange was now a bubble-team. After winning against DePaul and then losing at Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies, also known as the UConn Huskies, are the athletic teams of the University of Connecticut in the United States. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference for all sports except Men's Ice Hockey and Women's Ice...
, Nichols scored a career-high 37 points in a two-point win against St. Johns.
With the team's record at 16–8 overall and 5–5 in the Big East conference, Boeheim made several adjustments in the Syracuse lineup. He sent the struggling Wright to the bench and moved Devendorf to the starting point guard position and Rautins to shooting guard.
The move paid dividends, as Rautins went on a shooting tear and helped the Orange to win five of their remaining six regular season games. One of those wins was against No. 10 Georgetown
Georgetown Hoyas
Georgetown's nickname is The Hoyas, but its mascot is "Jack the Bulldog." Various breeds of dogs have been used by the sports teams as mascots since the early 1900s. Several notable bull terriers like Sergeant Stubby and "Hoya" were used at football games in the 1920s, as was a Great Dane in the...
at the Carrier Dome
Carrier Dome
The Carrier Dome is a 49,250-seat domed sports stadium located on the campus of Syracuse University in the University Hill neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, USA. It is home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. High school football championships are also held in "The...
, which many assumed stamped Syracuse's ticket to the NCAA Tournament. At season's end, Syracuse posted a 21–8 record and 10–6 in Big East play.
In the Big East Tournament, Syracuse seemed to put the cherry on the top of their NCAA bid, beating Connecticut soundly in the first round before getting knocked out by Notre Dame in the second round. However, on Selection Sunday, Syracuse fans were stunned when the Orange was not selected to the NCAA Tournament.
It was the first time that a team with 10 wins in the Big East Conference was not invited to the NCAA tournament. Selection Committee Chairman Gary Walters said some of the factors in not inviting Syracuse included playing an uneven in-conference schedule, and having a weak non-conference schedule.
Syracuse headed to the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
for the first time since the 2001–02 season. It defeated South Alabama and San Diego State before losing to Clemson in the quarterfinals of the NIT.
At season's end, Nichols was selected as a First Team All Big East performer, while Devendorf received All Big East Honorable Mention. Harris was named to the Big East All Rookie team.
2006–07 Roster
| Name | Number | Position | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown |
| Andy Rautins Andy Rautins Andrew Jay "Andy" Rautins is a , 205 lbs. guard for the New York Knicks of the NBA. He was born in Syracuse, New York. He is a Canadian citizen and played for the Syracuse Orange and Canadian Men's National Basketball team... |
1 | G | 6–5 | 193 | Sophomore | Jamesville, NY |
| Paul Harris Paul Harris (basketball) Paul Harris is an American professional basketball player who recently played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association... |
11 | G/F | 6–5 | 228 | Freshman | Niagara Falls, NY |
| Darryl Watkins Darryl Watkins Darryl "Mookie" Finesse Watkins is an American professional basketball player. He is a former college basketball player for the Syracuse Orange who has a reputation for his shot-blocking ability.- High school :... |
13 | C | 6–11 | 258 | Senior | Paterson, NJ |
| Arinze Onuaku Arinze Onuaku Arinze Onuaku is a 6'9", 275lb professional basketball player from Lanham, Maryland who was on the Syracuse Orange basketball team. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. He is currently playing with the LKL team, Klaipėdos Neptūnas.... |
21 | C | 6–9 | 258 | Sophomore | Lanham, MD |
| Eric Devendorf Eric Devendorf Eric Devendorf is an American professional basketball player from Bay City, Michigan who came from Oak Hill Academy and played for the Syracuse University Orange. He currently plays for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League.... |
23 | G | 6–4 | 178 | Sophomore | Bay City, MI |
| Matt Gorman Matt Gorman Matt Gorman was a professional basketball player for the Sheffield Sharks. He played college basketball for Syracuse University during their first National Championship in 2003. He is now a director of the Watertown Teen Center, which is operated by the Children's Home of Jefferson County... |
23 | F/C | 6–9 | 235 | Senior | Watertown, NY |
| Devin Brennan-McBride | 25 | C | 6–9 | 254 | Freshman | London, ON |
| Josh Wright | 30 | G | 6–2 | 175 | Junior | Utica, NY |
| Terrence Roberts Terrence Roberts (basketball) Terrence Roberts is a former college basketball player for the Syracuse Orange from Jersey City, New Jersey who currently plays for Universitatea Cluj in Romania.-High school:... |
33 | G | 6–9 | 228 | Senior | Jersey City, NJ |
| Demetris Nichols Demetris Nichols Demetris Nichols is an American professional basketball player. He played small forward for the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team, and has been a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and New York Knicks.-High school:He was coached by Mike Hart at St... |
34 | F | 6–8 | 212 | Senior | Boston Boston Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had... |
Standings
| Big East | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| W-L | GB | W-L | |
| Georgetown | 13–3 | – | 26–6 |
| Pittsburgh | 12–4 | 1 | 27–7 |
| Louisville | 12–4 | 1 | 27–7 |
| Notre Dame | 11–5 | 2 | 24–7 |
| Marquette | 10–6 | 3 | 24–9 |
| Syracuse | 10–6 | 3 | 22–10 |
| West Virginia | 9–7 | 4 | 22–9 |
| Villanova | 9–7 | 4 | 22–10 |
| DePaul | 9–7 | 4 | 18–13 |
| Providence | 8–8 | 5 | 18–12 |
| St. Johns | 7–9 | 6 | 16–15 |
| Connecticut | 6–10 | 7 | 17–14 |
| Seton Hall | 4–12 | 9 | 13–16 |
| South Florida | 3–13 | 10 | 12–18 |
| Rutgers | 3–13 | 10 | 10–19 |
| Cincinnati | 2–14 | 11 | 11–19 |
See also
- Syracuse Orange men's basketballSyracuse Orange men's basketballThe Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
- 2007 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament2007 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament-Games:*1st round: Wednesday, March 7Noon2PM7PM9PM*Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 8Noon2 PM7 PM9 PM*Semifinals: Friday, March 97 PM9 PM...
- 2007 National Invitation Tournament2007 National Invitation TournamentThe 2007 National Invitation Tournament was a single-elimination tournament of 32 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams which did not participate in the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...