Syracuse Orange and 6 overtimes
Mar/14/09 23:42 Filed in: Syracuse University | University of Utah
OK, I know that this blog is supposed to reserved for intellectual matters like healthcare, politics, Big Pharma, and other related subjects. However, like most people, I have a diverse set of interests, some of it revolves around my two college alma maters, Syracuse University and the University of Utah. I received my bachelor’s degree from Utah, and have been a fan of the Utah Utes for a while, but it’s always been the ‘Cuse which has a prime place in my heart, as I went there to get my graduate degree in biochemistry.
This year, Utah beat Alabama handily in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, a rare event for a non-football power from the lesser-known (dare I say obscure) Mountain West Conference. I am not a big fan of football, but I will admit watching every second of the game, and cheering on the Utes.
On Thursday night, I watched the Syracuse Orange (it used to be the Orangemen, but I guess that’s now passé) play the University of Connecticut (known to sports fans as the UConn Huskies) in the quarter finals of the Big East Tournament. Typically, I will do work using my laptop, paying little attention to the game. So for the first 38 minutes of the game (of course I mean game clock, as opposed to the actually two hours that had elapsed), I cleaned up a financial analysis, read a few of my favorite blogs, and barely noticed the score. Then a friend who went to SU with me sent a text message saying “great game.” I looked up, and barely touched my computer for....well, another two and a half hours.
What I watched was a six-overtime college basketball game that was variously described as the greatest non-tournament game ever, game for the ages, and a masterpiece. Even the nation’s financial paper, the Wall Street Journal, discussed the story, albeit from a statistical analysis, it was interesting nevertheless. For me, it was probably the most exciting game I’ve ever watched on TV. That Syracuse won the game after six overtimes (and never leading in any overtime period until the last one) was a bonus.
Syracuse ended up losing in the finals this past evening, but honestly, the 6 OT game held enough drama, excitement and exhilaration to last a long time. As a fan of Syracuse, I am content.
By Michael W Simpson
This year, Utah beat Alabama handily in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, a rare event for a non-football power from the lesser-known (dare I say obscure) Mountain West Conference. I am not a big fan of football, but I will admit watching every second of the game, and cheering on the Utes.
On Thursday night, I watched the Syracuse Orange (it used to be the Orangemen, but I guess that’s now passé) play the University of Connecticut (known to sports fans as the UConn Huskies) in the quarter finals of the Big East Tournament. Typically, I will do work using my laptop, paying little attention to the game. So for the first 38 minutes of the game (of course I mean game clock, as opposed to the actually two hours that had elapsed), I cleaned up a financial analysis, read a few of my favorite blogs, and barely noticed the score. Then a friend who went to SU with me sent a text message saying “great game.” I looked up, and barely touched my computer for....well, another two and a half hours.
What I watched was a six-overtime college basketball game that was variously described as the greatest non-tournament game ever, game for the ages, and a masterpiece. Even the nation’s financial paper, the Wall Street Journal, discussed the story, albeit from a statistical analysis, it was interesting nevertheless. For me, it was probably the most exciting game I’ve ever watched on TV. That Syracuse won the game after six overtimes (and never leading in any overtime period until the last one) was a bonus.
Syracuse ended up losing in the finals this past evening, but honestly, the 6 OT game held enough drama, excitement and exhilaration to last a long time. As a fan of Syracuse, I am content.
By Michael W Simpson