2008–09 Syracuse Orange men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 Basketball 2008–09 Syracuse Orange Syracuse Orange logo.svg 100px Big East Conference (1979–2013) Big East 12 13 28–10 11–7 Jim Boeheim Bernie Fine Mike Hopkins Rob Murphy Carrier Dome Big East tournament Runners-up NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen January 2013 The 2008–09 Syracuse Orange men's basketball team represented Syracuse University in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Jim Boeheim, serving for his 33rd year. The team played its home games at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Key contributors included senior Kristof Ongenaet, juniors Eric Devendorf, Arinze Onuaku, Andy Rautins and Paul Harris, sophomores Rick Jackson and Jonny Flynn and freshman Kris Joseph. Preseason Roster changes Syracuse lost its leading scorer from the previous season, forward Donté Greene, who declared for the 2008 NBA draft and was taken with the 28th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. Greene was then traded to the Houston Rockets and again to the Sacramento Kings.http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/04/09/Sports/Mbb-Greene.Will.Enter.Nba.Draft-3313005.shtml Greene will enter draft August 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080614203604/http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/04/09/Sports/Mbb-Greene.Will.Enter.Nba.Draft-3313005.shtml June 14, 2008 dead mdy-all Syracuse used Greene's scholarship to add Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson. Johnson averaged 12.4 points per game during his sophomore season with the Cyclones, but must sit out the 2008–09 season.http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/05/08/Sports/Mbb-Syracuse.Lands.Iowa.State.Tranfer.Johnson-3385520.shtml Syracuse lands Iowa State transfer Johnson August 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090211025911/http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/05/08/Sports/Mbb-Syracuse.Lands.Iowa.State.Tranfer.Johnson-3385520.shtml February 11, 2009 dead mdy-all Syracuse will also have lacrosse recruit Kevin Drew, a walk-on. Boys lacrosse: John Jay in state quarterfinals May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes On the injury front, Syracuse returned juniors Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins. Both had suffered season ending knee injuries in the 2007–08 season and were granted medical redshirts.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3603525 O'Neil: On the comeback trail September 23, 2008 However, the Orange also learned before the season started that sophomore Scoop Jardine would be out for entire season after suffering a stress fracture in his left leg.Sports news September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Recruiting Coach Boeheim was able to sign three recruits for the 2008–09 season: Kris Joseph, Mookie Jones and James Southerland.http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/04/01/Sports/Mbb-he.Can.Play.Everywhere.At.6Foot8.Kris.Joseph.Has.Plenty.Of.Versatility.With-3294099.shtml He Can Play Everywhere August 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080404180545/http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/04/01/Sports/Mbb-he.Can.Play.Everywhere.At.6Foot8.Kris.Joseph.Has.Plenty.Of.Versatility.With-3294099.shtml April 4, 2008 dead mdy-all http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/04/02/Sports/Mbb-Give.Him.The.Ball.Mookie.Jones.Wants.To.Take.The.Last.Shot.And.Why.Not.He-3296560.shtml Mookie Jones wants to take the last shot August 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080406153645/http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/04/02/Sports/Mbb-Give.Him.The.Ball.Mookie.Jones.Wants.To.Take.The.Last.Shot.And.Why.Not.He-3296560.shtml April 6, 2008 dead mdy-all However, Southerland did not qualify with his SAT score to attend Syracuse, and returned to Notre Dame Preparatory Academy for an additional season of play.Waters Mike 2008-07-11 Update on James Southerland's status https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2008/07/update_on_james_southerlands_s.html 2022-10-17 syracuse en no no 2008 Mookie Jones Forward Peekskill (NY) Peekskill High School 6 6 190 2007-10-26 4 4 95 Kris Joseph Forward Washington, D.C. Archbishop Carroll HS 6 7 190 2007-10-16 4 3 96 James Southerland Forward Bayside, New York Notre Dame Preparatory School 6 7 200 20 April 2007 3 3 87 2008 Syracuse 2008 Basketball Commitments 2008 Syracuse Basketball Commits ESPN syracuse 185 183 2008-09-16 yes Preseason outlook With returning co-Big East Rookie of The Year Jonny Flynn, the Orange was picked to finish eighth in the Big East conference by the Big East coach's poll.Democrat and Chronicle December 2022 Flynn was also a first-team all-Big East selection.http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2008/10/big_east_writers_poll_tabs_uco.html Big East writers' poll: UConn league favorite, Jonny Flynn 1st-team October 22, 2008 Syracuse began the season ranked No. 30 in the Associated Press poll and No. 31 in the ESPN/USA Today poll.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings?pollId=1&seasonYear=2009&weekNumber=1&seasonType=2 2020-21 Men's College Basketball Rankings for Final Rankingshttps://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings?pollId=2&seasonYear=2009&weekNumber=1&seasonType=2 2020-21 Men's College Basketball Rankings for Final Rankings Although Syracuse was coming off two-straight NIT-bound seasons, and despite not having won an NCAA tournament game in four seasons, many experts picked Syracuse as a solid choice for the NCAA Tournament.https://bleacherreport.com/articles/86132-watch-out-for-syracuse-basketball-2008-09 Watch Out for Syracuse Basketball 2008-09 Bleacher Reporthttp://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2008/11/poll_what_kind_of_postseason_w.html Poll: What kind of postseason will the Syracuse University basketball team have? November 7, 2008 Roster Players Syracuse Basketball2008–09 RosterF/C0Rick JacksonSOPhiladelphia (Neumann-Goretti)G1Andy RautinsJRJamesville, New York (Jamesville-Dewitt)G2Justin ThomasSRLos Angeles, California (Loyola)F3Mookie JonesFRPeekskill, New York (Peekskill)F4Wesley JohnsonJRCorsicana, Texas Corsicana/(Patterson School (NC)/Eldon Acad.)G5Jake PresuttiSRBelmont, New York (Genesee Valley)G10Jonny FlynnSONiagara, New York (Niagara Falls)G/F11Paul HarrisJRNiagara Falls, New York (Notre Dame Prep)F12Kristof OngenaetSRGhent, Belgium (College Melle/Cuesta C.C.)C21Arinze OnuakuJRLanham, Maryland (Episcopal)G23Eric DevendorfJRBay City, Michigan (Oak Hill Academy)G24Brandon ReeseFRDavie, Florida (Pinehurst)G25Kevin DrewFRSouth Salem, New York (John Jay Cross River)F32Kris JosephFRWashington, D.C. (Archbishop Carroll)G33Scoop JardineSOPhiladelphia (Neumann-Goretti)C45Sean WilliamsFRVilla Park, California (Notre Dame Prep) Coaches Name Position Year at Syracuse Alma Mater (Year) Jim Boeheim Head coach 33rd Syracuse (1966) Bernie Fine Associate head coach 33rd Syracuse (1967) Mike Hopkins Assistant coach 13th Syracuse (1993) Rob Murphy Assistant coach 5th Central State (1996) Season Season Recap thumb|200px|Syracuse plays Rutgers at the Rutgers Athletic Center in January Syracuse started the season strong, winning the CBE Classic. In the semifinals on November 24, 2008, the Orange topped No. 17/18 Florida, 89–83. Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris led five SU players in double figures with 18 points each.https://archive.today/20120721100043/http://www.alligator.org/articles/2008/11/24/sports/basketball/081125_hoops.txt Sports. Baaketball In the finals on November 25, 2008, Syracuse defeated the defending champions, the No. 22/23 Kansas Jayhawks, 89–81 in overtime, to capture the CBE Classic. Jonny Flynn had 25 points, including a 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime. Flynn was named MVP of the tournament.http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/11/21/Sports/Mbb-Syracuse.Topples.No.22.Kansas.In.Overtime.To.Take.Cbe.Title-3562251.shtml MBB Syracuse topples No. 22 Kansas in overtime to take CBE title - Sports November 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081201072514/http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/11/21/Sports/Mbb-Syracuse.Topples.No.22.Kansas.In.Overtime.To.Take.Cbe.Title-3562251.shtml December 1, 2008 dead mdy-all But the season would hit a low point on December 15, 2008 when then-No. 11 Syracuse lost to unranked Cleveland State University 72–69 as a result of a 60-foot, buzzer-beating shot by Cleveland State's Cedric Jackson.https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_t25_cleveland_st_syracuse Cleveland State stuns No. 11 Syracuse 72-69 - Yahoo! News January 13, 2017 January 12, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090112211603/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_t25_cleveland_st_syracuse dead Syracuse would add another key non-conference win on December 20, 2008, when then-No. 11 Syracuse won a key away game against national runner-up Memphis as Syracuse's stifling zone held Memphis to just 7-for-33 shooting from 3-point land. Flynn paced the Orange with 24 points and six assists, as Syracuse was able to deal with the loss of Eric Devendorf to a suspension after he was accused of hitting a female student on Nov. 1.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283550235 https://archive.today/20120723031848/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283550235 dead July 23, 2012 Syracuse vs. Memphis - Game Recap - December 20, 2008 - ESPN Perhaps the biggest game of the season happened on March 12–13, 2009, when then-No. 18 Syracuse and No. 4 Connecticut played the longest game in Big East history, and second longest in NCAA Division I history, as Syracuse won 127–117 in six overtimes. Flynn set a new Syracuse record by playing 67 minutes.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290710041 https://archive.today/20120630045842/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290710041 dead June 30, 2012 Syracuse vs. UConn - Game Recap - March 12, 2009 - ESPN Syracuse would be named a No. 3 seed for the NCAA Tournament and win games over Stephen F. Austin (59–44) and Arizona State (78–67) to advance to the Sweet 16.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/sports/ncaabasketball/21syracuse.html The New York Times N.C.A.A. Drought Over, Syracuse Moves to Second Round Pete Thamel Pete Thamel 21 March 2009 2010-04-22http://www.syracuse.com/today/index.ssf/2009/03/syracuse_in_the_sweet_16_orang.html Syracuse in the Sweet 16: Orange tops Arizona State, 78-67 March 22, 2009 But the Orange would be halted by Blake Griffin and Oklahoma in an 84–71 loss.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=294000045 Syracuse vs. Oklahoma - Box Score - March 27, 2009 - ESPN The loss would mark the final game for Devendorf, Flynn and Harris, who all left the team following the season for the professional ranks. Big East tournament 2009 Big East men's basketball tournament Syracuse was seeded sixth and received a bye in the first round. They reached the finals of the 2009 tournament, where they were defeated by the first-seeded Louisville Cardinals, 76–66.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290730097 Louisville completes conference sweep with Big East tournament crown 2009-03-15 14 March 2009 Associated Press ESPN New York City https://web.archive.org/web/20090319031747/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290730097 March 19, 2009 dead It was their fourteenth time making the Big East tournament finals, the most for any team in the conference. Prior to making the finals, Syracuse's performance featured a conference record six-overtime quarterfinals game (the second longest game in NCAA history) in which they defeated third-seeded Connecticut 127–117.http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290710041 Syracuse survives longest game in Big East history with epic win over UConn 2009-03-15 13 March 2009 Associated Press ESPN New York City https://web.archive.org/web/20090314174328/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290710041 March 14, 2009 dead A day later, in the semifinals, the Orange were forced into overtime again, where they defeated West Virginia 74–69 in a single extra session.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290720183 Only one overtime is needed as Syracuse advances past West Virginia 2009-03-15 13 March 2009 Associated Press ESPN New York City https://web.archive.org/web/20090315161038/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290720183 March 15, 2009 dead Jonny Flynn was named the tournament's most outstanding player, becoming just the fourth player in Big East tournament history to win the award as a member of the second-place team. NCAA tournament 2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament The Orange were seeded third in the South Region, and played fourteenth-seeded Stephen F. Austin on Friday, March 20 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/bracket 2009 NCAA Tournament Bracket 2009-03-15 15 March 2009 ESPN ESPN https://web.archive.org/web/20090222192857/http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/bracket February 22, 2009 dead The Orange won, 59–44. They faced sixth-seeded Arizona State in the second round, winning 78–67. Their season ended in the South regional semifinals when they lost 84–71 to Oklahoma. Schedule yes |- !colspan=12 style=Syracuse Orange|Exhibition 2008-11-03 7:00 pm 77–56 yes 2008–09 Cal State Los Angeles Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles Cal State Los Angeles Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 10,257 2008-11-09 2:00 pm 103–58 yes 2008–09 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks Indiana PA Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 8,655 |- !colspan=12 style=Syracuse Orange|Regular Season 2008-11-16 6:30 pm 85–51 yes Le Moyne Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York CBE Classic First Round ESPNU 16,755 1–0 2008-11-18 6:00 pm 76–71 yes Richmond Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York CBE Classic Second Round ESPNU 16,260 2–0 2008-11-21 7:00 pm 86–66 yes Oakland Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 18,932 3–0 2008-11-24 6:30 pm 89–83 yes Florida 17 Sprint Center Kansas City, Missouri CBE Classic Semifinal ESPN2 14,720 4–0 2008-11-25 9:15 pm 89–81 OT yes Kansas 22 Sprint Center Kansas City, Missouri CBE Classic Final ESPN2 16,988 5–0 2008-11-28 7:00 pm 73–70 yes Virginia Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 22,096 6–0 2008-12-01 7:00 pm 86–51 yes 16 2008–09 Colgate University Colgate Raiders Colgate Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 18,422 7–0 2008-12-03 7:00 pm 88–78 yes 16 Cornell Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 18,859 8–0 2008-12-13 12:00 pm 79–55 yes 13 2008–09 Long Beach State Long Beach State 49ers Long Beach State Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York ESPNU 17,224 9–0 2008-12-15 7:00 pm 69–72 yes 11 Cleveland State Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 15,416 9–1 2008-12-17 7:00 pm 82–60 yes 11 2008–09 Canisius College Canisius Golden Griffins Canisius Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York ESPNU 16,262 10–1 2008-12-20 6:00 pm 72–65 yes 11 Memphis 23 FedExForum Memphis, Tennessee ESPN 17,091 11–1 2008-12-22 7:00 pm 82–71 yes 17 2008–09 Coppin State University Coppin State Eagles Coppin State Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Time Warner 17,214 12–1 2008-12-30 7:00 pm 100–76 no 13 2008–09 Seton Hall University Seton Hall Pirates Seton Hall Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Big East Network 23,152 13–1 1–0 2009-01-02 8:30 pm 59–54 no yes 13 South Florida USF Sun Dome Tampa, Florida ESPN 8,350 14–1 2–0 2009-01-07 7:00 pm 85–68 no 11 2008–09 DePaul University DePaul Blue Demons DePaul Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Big East Network 17,296 15–1 3–0 2009-01-10 7:30 pm 82–66 no yes 11 Rutgers Louis Brown Athletic Center Piscataway, New Jersey Big East Network 8,079 16–1 4–0 2009-01-14 7:30 pm 74–88 no yes 8 Georgetown 13 Rivalry Verizon Center Washington, D.C. ESPN2 19,227 16–2 4–1 2009-01-17 12:00 pm 93–74 no 8 Notre Dame 12 Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York ESPN 30,021 17–2 5–1 2009-01-19 7:00 pm 60–78 no yes 8 Pittsburgh 4 Petersen Events Center Pittsburgh ESPN 12,508 17–3 5–2 2009-01-25 12:00 pm 57–67 no 8 Louisville 9 Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Big East Network 25,721 17–4 5–3 2009-01-28 7:00 pm 94–100 no yes 15 Providence Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence, Rhode Island Big East Network 10,873 17–5 5–4 2009-02-04 7:00 pm 74–61 no 20 West Virginia Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York ESPN 21,069 18–5 6–4 2009-02-07 12:00 pm 85–102 no yes 20 Villanova 17 Wachovia Center Philadelphia ESPN 20,390 18–6 6–5 2009-02-11 7:00 pm 49–63 no yes 23 Connecticut 1 Harry A. Gampel Pavilion Storrs, Connecticut Rivalry ESPN 10,167 18–7 6–6 2009-02-14 12:00 pm 98–94 OT no 23 Georgetown Rivalry Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York ESPN 31,841 19–7 7–6 2009-02-22 1:00 pm 86–89 no 24 Villanova 12 Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York CBS 26,879 19–8 7–7 2009-02-24 7:30 pm 87–58 no yes St. John's Madison Square Garden New York City Big East Network 11,148 20–8 8–7 2009-03-01 2:00 pm 87–63 no Cincinnati Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York Big East Network 25,139 21–8 9–7 2009-03-03 9:00 pm 70–40 no 25 Rutgers Carrier Dome Syracuse, New York ESPNU 21,233 22–8 10–7 2009-03-07 2:00 pm 86–79 OT no yes 25 Marquette 13 Bradley Center Milwaukee Big East Network 19,144 23–8 11–7 |- !colspan=12 style=Syracuse Orange|Big East tournament 2009-03-11 9:30 pm 89–74 18 Seton Hall yes Madison Square Garden New York Second Round ESPN 19,375 24–8 2009-03-12 9:30 pm 127–117 6OT 18 Connecticut 4 yes Madison Square Garden New York Quarterfinals/Rivalry ESPN 19,375 25–8 2009-03-13 9:30 pm 74–69 OT 18 West Virginia yes Madison Square Garden New York Semifinals ESPN 19,375 26–8 2009-03-14 9:00 pm 66–76 18 Louisville 5 yes Madison Square Garden New York Finals ESPN 19,375 26–9 |- !colspan=12 style=Syracuse Orange|NCAA Tournament† 2009-03-20 12:15 pm 59–44 3-S Stephen F. Austin 14-S yes yes American Airlines Arena Miami First Round CBS 10,163 27–9 2009-03-22 12:10 pm 78–67 3-S Arizona State 6-S yes yes American Airlines Arena Miami Second Round CBS 10,204 28–9 2009-03-27 7:30 pm 71–84 3-S Oklahoma 2-S yes yes FedExForum Memphis, Tennessee Sweet Sixteen CBS   28–10 Eastern Standard Time AP poll.  †NCAA Tournament ranks are seeds in the region (E=East, M=Midwest, S=South, W=West) Rankings Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Wk 16 Wk 17 Wk 18 Final AP 30 30 27 16 13 11 17 13 11 8 8 15 20 23 24 28 25 18 13 13 Coaches 31 31 32 20 16 11 14 11 9 8 8 15 20 22 25 29 25 20 15 12 References 3 Syracuse Syracuse Category:Syracuse Orange men's basketball seasons Syracuse Orange men's basketball Syracuse Orange men's basketball