One of the biggest rivalries returns. Syracuse men’s basketball (5-4, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Georgetown (7-2, 0-0 Big East) this Saturday for the 100th battle between these two programs. Now, throughout this matchup's history, there were times it was must-watch TV. 99 games that featured passion, toughness, and grit. Memorable moment after memorable moment, but unfortunately for Syracuse the one that stands out most came in 1980. SU’s first year in the Big East, but it’s last year at the Manley Field House. 57 straight wins at the venue. The Hoyas marched in unranked and officially closed the Manley Field House as famously stated by head coach John Thompson Jr.
But even though these two haven’t been towards the top of the college basketball world in recent years, that doesn’t mean this game coming up on Saturday isn’t important to the players involved.
“This is the most important game of the year for us and the fans,” said SU guard Jaquon Carlos. “We have to go take care of business especially because it's on our floor.”

Because of Syracuse’s new-look team under head coach Adrian Autry, not many players have experienced this rivalry before like Jaquan Carlos. One of the three guys that has been a part of this duel in the past is forward Chris Bell, and he knows what games like this mean.
“That’s little brother… it’s personal for me,” Bell said. “I’m excited to be a part of this journey again.”
You would think that the transfers and recruits filling up the majority of the SU’s roster don’t have any history with this matchup, and for the most part that’s true, but there’s one exception. SU forward and five-star prospect Donnie Freeman grew up in the DC area. The relationship between himself and this rivalry goes way beyond his playing career started with the ‘Cuse.
“My dad grew up a Syracuse fan, so I watched a lot of these games being close to Georgetown’s campus,” said Freeman.

Even though Freeman is just 18 years old, the legacy of some SU coaches playing in this game still looms large to the freshman. Cuse assistant coach Allen Griffin, who spent four years playing at Syracuse, had his fair share of Georgetown moments, but one stood out to Freeman.
“There was a play when coach Griff went up and ripped a Georgetown opponent out of the air,” said Freeman, “We talk about that one a lot with the team.”
This is the intensity that comes with this matchup, and the next chapter is on Saturday.
“This is going to be an exciting game,” said SU head coach Adrian Autry, who also played in this rivalry as a player. “My guys will be ready, and I’m sure Coach Cooley will have his guys ready as well.”
Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley has his team off to a very solid start this year, and a big reason why is the defense. The Hoyas give up under 65 points per game which ranks top five in the Big East. The Orange on the other hand give up nearly 80 points a contest… that’s worst in the ACC.
Low-scoring games and pressing defense was the name of the game in the heyday of this rivalry. Can SU step up its defense in time for the 100th anniversary? Find out by listening to our broadcast at WAER 88.3 FM starting at 2:00 pm with countdown to tip-off. Game time from the JMA Wireless Dome is slated for 2:30 pm.