UPDATED: Aug. 23, 2017 at 1:46 p.m.

John Gillon beats the buzzer and Duke (Feb. 22, 2017)

In a topsy-turvy season, Syracuse needed a signature win to add to its NCAA Tournament resume. With five seconds left, John Gillon caught the pass and, surrounded by three Duke defenders, pulled up from just in front of half court. He banked in a buzzer-beating 3 pointer, Syracuse won 78-75 and the crowd stormed the Carrier Dome court.

Jim Boeheim wins his 1,000* game against Virginia (Feb. 4, 2017)

After 2015 NCAA sanctions stripped Syracuse men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim of 101 wins, SU fans kept track of his win total including the vacated wins. In SU’s first meeting with Virginia since upsetting UVA in the 2016 Elite Eight, the Orange overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the Cavaliers, 66-62. During his postgame press conference, the 72-year-old said, “I know how many wins I’ve had.”

Syracuse football upsets No. 17 Virginia Tech (Oct. 15, 2016) 

In Dino Babers’ first season as head coach, Syracuse stunned No. 17 Virginia Tech at home, 31-17, for its first win against a ranked opponent since 2012. Quarterback Eric Dungey led the Orange with 417 total yards and two touchdowns as Babers got his first signature win as SU’s head coach.

Women’s lacrosse falls in Final Four (May 27, 2016)

In her last chance to win the program’s first national championship, Syracuse legend Kayla Treanor took the field against powerhouse Maryland in the Final Four. The Terrapins jumped out to an early 10-2 lead and never looked back, winning 19-9. Treanor mustered only one goal in her final game for SU. The three-time Tewaaraton Award finalist ended her career fourth on the Division I all-time scoring list and is the Syracuse all-time leader in goals.

Women’s basketball falls in National Championship to UConn, 82-51 (April 5, 2016)

After Notre Dame and Louisville blew out Syracuse in the middle of the season, the Orange’s future seemed bleak. But an 11-game win streak earned the Orange a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, and SU hosted games for the first time in program history. Syracuse kept winning, making its first Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four and spot in the national championship against Connecticut. But SU was no match for UConn. The Huskies, led by Syracuse native Breanna Stewart, breezed to its fourth consecutive championship, downing the Orange, 82-51.

Syracuse overcomes 16-point second-half deficit to advance to Final Four (March 28, 2016)

After sneaking into the tournament as a No. 10 seed, Syracuse overcame a 16-point hole in the second half to stun top-seeded Virginia, 68-62, in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Malachi Richardson’s 21 second-half points punctuated the comeback and helped SU secure its fifth Final Four appearance under head coach Jim Boeheim.

Syracuse men’s soccer falls in Final Four of College Cup against Clemson (Dec. 11, 2015)

 Tasked with replacing nearly 70 percent of its scoring from the year before, Syracuse won 16 games, including its first conference title since 1985. In the Elite Eight, Ben Polk scored on a header in the 79th minute. Though the Orange fell to Clemson in penalty kicks (1-4) in the semifinals, it was an unrivaled high for the program.

Syracuse field hockey becomes first women’s team in school history to win national championship (Nov. 22, 2015)

Tied 2-2 in the second half, freshman Zoe Wilson scored on a penalty corner to put Syracuse ahead against North Carolina. SU scored once more and goalkeeper Jess Jecko made several key saves to win the school’s first-ever women’s national championship, 4-2.

Tyler Ennis hits buzzer-beater 3 during historic 25-0 stretch (Febr. 13, 2014)

The Orange got off to its best start in school history, winning the first 25 games of the year. The 25-0 stretch was led by freshman point guard Tyler Ennis. On the road against Pittsburgh, Syracuse trailed by one with 4.4 seconds left. Ennis pulled up from half court and drained a buzzer-beating 3 pointer to give SU a 58-56 win and extend the streak.

Men’s lacrosse loses in national championship to Duke (May 27, 2013) 

After defeating Notre Dame and Villanova to win the Big East tournament, Syracuse earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. After taking a 6-1 lead in the second quarter against Duke, Syracuse collapsed at the faceoff X as Duke scored 12 of the next 13 en route to a 16-10 victory. Since the loss, SU has not advanced to the Final Four, graduating in 2017 its first class not to play on Memorial Day weekend.

Published on August 23, 2017 at 11:54 am

Contact Charlie: csdistur@syr.edu | @charliedisturco