In the 2008 – 09 season Syracuse was led by sophomore guard Jonny Flynn . The team returned key players like Eric Devendorf , Andy Rautins , Rick Jackson , Arinze Onuaku and Paul Harris . Syracuse gained a tremendous amount of media attention following a 127 – 117 upset of UConn in six overtimes during the early morning hours of March 13 , 2009 " the Game that would n't end " to advance to the semifinals of the Big East Conference Tournament . This game solidified their seeding in the 2009 NCAA Tournament . This game was the second longest of any game in NCAA History and only the 4th to make it into six overtimes . However , they lost in the Big East Final . Syracuse received a 3 seed and beat Stephen F. Austin 59 – 44 in the First Round . Syracuse stamped its ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2004 , defeating 6th seed Arizona State 78 – 67 . However , the season ended with a loss to No. 2 seed Oklahoma , as the Sooners ended the Orange 's season with an 84 – 71 loss
Big East Conference Tournament
2009 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
Syracuse Orange men's basketball