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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Lounging in an aisle seat among the second deck of attendance at Blue Cross Arena, Rickey Harris unraveled a 2023-24 Syracuse Basketball calendar to get a better look at its players.

This was the one year Harris hadn’t familiarized himself with SU’s roster. Mounting health issues barred him from following the new-look Orange. But Harris insisted that his health wouldn’t stop him from visiting the JMA Wireless Dome this year.

Born and raised in Rochester, Harris had driven through harsh winter weather before to watch Syracuse basketball. And when the tip-off times were late, he and his family stayed in hotels after the games.

“I’m a Syracuse fan no matter what,” Harris said. “We tried to do that as much as possible.”

On Saturday, SU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted its annual “Monroe Madness” in Rochester, N.Y. The event included a variety of skills competitions and intrasquad scrimmages to provide local Syracuse basketball fans, like Harris, a glimpse at both programs for the upcoming season.

“It’s always good when you can get away from your normal surroundings and band together, get that closeness, whether it’s a bus ride or whatever the place may be,” Syracuse men’s head coach Adrian Autry said. “You just get cohesiveness, that closeness, so it’s always good to travel.”

Following a brief introduction of players from both programs, six women’s players were split into two groups to participate in a shooting challenge. Alyssa Latham drilled a half-court shot to win alongside Kyra Wood and Alaina Rice.

Dyaisha Fair hit 11 3-pointers and teammate Dominique Camp canned eight. Justin Taylor and Chris Bell combined for 17 treys to give the Blue Team a total of 36.

For the Orange Team, Kyle Cuffe Jr. and Sophie Burrows led with nine apiece while Quadir Copeland and Rice recorded seven and six, respectively, to finish five short of Blue.

Then, Cuffe Jr., Copeland, Benny Williams and Chaz Owens faced off in the dunk contest. Cuffe Jr. executed a one-handed throwdown off the backboard, and Owens completed a reverse flush off of a Judah Mintz lob. But Copeland and Williams impressed with two dunks each to reach the final round.

The 2021 Orange Tip-Off dunk contest winner as a freshman, Williams performed a reverse windmill maneuver going from the right baseline and finishing on the left. Williams earned a perfect score of 50. But Copeland matched the effort by converting a two-handed, self-alley-oop dunk.

The crowd chanted, demanding a tie-breaker. Williams trotted over to the left wing. He tossed the ball high into the air and cocked it back for a tomahawk jam. Copeland started his try from the same position but missed on an attempted eastbay dunk, handing Williams the win.

Years of watching Syracuse basketball had steadily converted Carrie Armitage into a fan. Her first date with her now-husband was at an SU game during its 2003 National Championship-winning season. She remembered him driving from Syracuse to Rochester to pick her up, before heading back to the Dome. The pair have been together ever since.

“Every year my husband says ‘this is going to be the year for Syracuse,’” Armitage said. “So I think that this is going to be the year. Maybe they’re going to do something and it’ll be amazing.”

Daile Cox, also a Rochester native, echoed Armitage’s optimism. He said his Syracuse fandom had dropped off significantly since its “glory days” in the Big East, but Autry’s appointment has reignited his excitement.

“Being a backup for several years, I’m excited to see what he can do taking over,” Cox said. “(Jim) Boeheim has done his job. Did his tenure. And he’s onto his next phase in life.”

After a scrimmage between the women’s team and its scout players, the men’s squad took the court. Despite being in uniform, Mintz did not play while Chance Westry wore a tracksuit on the sideline after he was ruled out indefinitely with a lower-leg injury prior to the event.

Divided into Orange and Blue, the game was immediately competitive, starting with fast-paced offense and set plays for both sides. For the Blue team, J.J. Starling started aggressively, yet in-control, showing off his shooting and driving ability in the lane. And for the Orange, Naheem McLeod displayed his prowess down low, using his 7-foot-4 frame for a series of comfortable lay-ins.

Other standouts included Copeland, who looked far more comfortable with his jumper, and Williams, who went a perfect 3-for-3 from the field including a couple of thunderous dunks. Cuffe Jr. showed poise as a floor general, providing a convincing argument to backup Mintz at point guard.

“Monroe Madness” concluded with a t-shirt toss and an opportunity for players to sign autographs and talk to spectators. Starling, who hails from nearby Baldwinsville, N.Y., said he enjoyed the experience due to the warm reception and atmosphere.

“It’s exciting to get this type of support, this type of energy,” Autry said. “It just speaks to our brand. It’s always great to have that support.”

Published on October 22, 2023 at 12:01 pm

Contact Tyler: trschiff@syr.edu | @theTylerSchiff