Six Overtime Syracuse vs Connecticut the Greatest College Game in History?

The unbelievable 6 overtime game Thursday March 12, 2009 between the Syracuse Orangeman and the University of Connecticut Huskies in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference Tournament was called the "Greatest game in history" by winning coach Jim Boeheim. Was the game really the greatest ever in college basketball? I don't know but it sure was one heck of a game. After Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf made an apparent last second shot to win the game in regulation only to have the shot ruled no good by refs after looking at the replay and seeing Devendorf's fingernail still touching the ball as time expired on the clock, the game went legendary.

Syracuse never had a lead in the first 5 overtimes but each time managed to tie the game as overtime ran down, once with forward Andy Rautins hitting a key three, and hold on a couple of times as UConn players, including star guard A.J. Price, missed game winning shots. Finally, with UConn's big man Hasheem Thabeet fouled out of the game the Orangemen were able to gain control and win the game in the 6th overtime 127-117. So many of the starters and reserves had fouled out of the game by then that both teams had players on the floor who barely saw any minutes all season.

In the 4th overtime Syracuse's Paul Harris had the ball right under the basket with seconds left but missed an easy layup and then was mauled by two UConn players as he grabbed the rebound and tried to put it in but at that point the refs were not going to end this game with foul shots. Though Syracuse's incredibly competitive point guard Jonny Flynn did not miss a free throw in any of the overtimes (9 for 9).

An unbelievable game for sure and crazy one to watch for me as I bet Syracuse to win the game outright and had to sweat through 6 overtimes. But was it the greatest game ever?

Ironically when I think of greatest college basketball games ever I can never forget another game involving overtime and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. In 1981 when the Big East had just been started, Syracuse won the Conference Tournament in 3 overtimes vs Villanova by a score of 83-80 when Andy Rautins Dad Leo, playing for Syracuse, tipped in a shot with 3 seconds left to give Syracuse the lead and win, but that is not the game. In 1981 the Big East was still too young a conference to have their Tournament winner get an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Even though Syracuse won 22 games and the Big East Tournament in 1981 the NCAA did not extend them an invite to the Big Dance.

So Syracuse went to the NIT and made it the finals where they played an incredible game vs the University of Tulsa. That Tulsa team was coached by Nolan Richardson who went on to win a NCAA Championship with Arkansas in 1994, and was led by the great Paul Pressey. Syracuse was led by Danny Schayes, Leo Rautins, Erich Santifer and the incredible Tony "Red" Bruin who had an amazing vertical leap and reportedly could dunk the ball from a standing position beyond the foul line.  

The game was thrilling action from start to finish as both teams played run n gun fast break basketball. Each team would grab a lead only to have the other snatch it back. The pace of the game was incredible and as regulation ended the teams were tied. But Schayes, Bruin and Rautins had fouled out by then and Tulsa managed a two point victory 86-84. Even today almost 30 years later I can still see the incredible pace of that game and the magnificent flow as the teams surged back and forth with the lead. The 6 overtime game never seemed to have quite that pace.

Honestly, I don't know if either of these games were the greatest in college basketball history but they are certainly the top two games I can easily remember.