I was in Austin when this game went down, so I didn’t have to deal with the crazy late night that the East Coast people did. I was watching it with a High School friend and some Orange fans we found in the bar. It was one of the first games I had the opportunity to watch all season – my only other opportunities coming when the Orange were on National TV and I wasn’t busy – a combo that was indeed rare. So, on a cool Austin night, I sat in a bar and watched….

And watched. The night kept going and I was in a daze. My sister was texting me with things like “I can’t believe it” before going quiet sometime around the 2nd OT. I knew it wasn’t because she had fallen asleep but because she was so enthralled in the drama. I received sporadic texts from others filled with “OMGs.” I didn’t know it at the time that I was watching the best college basketball game to be played this decade. I didn’t care. I was just glued to the set. Nervous. The bartender offered us free shots after the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and finally a celebratory shot after the 6th. I was drunk – not off of free libations but off of the drama. I felt exhausted. I felt…happy.

I own a t-shirt celebrating the game. The memories are a blur. Eventually, I’ll find a tape of the game and watch it again. Even with Syracuse currently #5 in the country, this game will stand as a highlight….