You know the phrase “Go big or go home”? Well, Syracuse lives by it.
Per the Post-Standard, the Orange might open the program’s inaugural season of ACC basketball by moving its court to the middle of the Carrier Dome when it faces Duke in 2014. It’s only a possibility right now. But it should happen.
The switch would come with a few benefits:
The game would set a new attendance record for an on-campus game.
There would be a basketball court in the middle of a football stadium for a huge matchup, which is always a good thing.
There would be a basketball court in the middle of a football stadium for a huge matchup, which is always a good thing. I know, I said that already.
It would create a great atmosphere for one of the biggest games of the 2013-14 season.
The Carrier Dome is a special building. And that’s coming from someone who has attended only one game there -- a low-profile nonconference matchup. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to sit courtside for a Duke-Syracuse battle with this potential arrangement.
From the Post-Standard's Mike Waters:
Moving the court would mean breaking the NCAA's all-time attendance record for an on-campus game. The current record of 35,012 was set on Feb. 23, 2013 when Syracuse hosted Georgetown for the final time as Big East foes. It was the first announced sellout in the Carrier Dome's history.
In addition, Syracuse will be looking to celebrate its new membership in the ACC.
Joe Giansante, SU's executive senior associate athletic director, would neither confirm or deny the university's plan to move the court to the middle of the Dome.
"We're going to look at all kinds of options to make our move to the ACC as special as possible,'' Giansante said Thursday.” There are a lot of different things on the table to consider.''
When asked if those options included moving the court, Giansante remained non-committal.
"The schedule hasn't been released yet, so I can't confirm it or deny,'' Giansante said. He then added, "We're looking for ways to celebrate our inclusion in the ACC. Obviously, when Duke comes to town, it's going to be a special day.''
A Syracuse-Duke game with the court in the middle of the Carrier Dome would likely draw a crowd of 50,000 or more.
Now, there are some logistical concerns with seating for season-ticket holders and wiring for television crews. But we played basketball on a boat last season. Kind of. I think we can pull this off.
Plus, the new ACC deserves this treatment.
In recent years, the Big Ten has been the most potent conference in the country. But the ACC is aiming for that crown. Pitt, Notre Dame and Syracuse will all be in the league next season. In 2014, Louisville arrives.
This could become college basketball’s first legitimate super conference in a few years.
That’s a good reason to celebrate, right?
Well, let’s move the Carrier Dome court and do that.