Syracuse vs. Providence

Tip-Off

Thanks to Cousin Tom's thinking of me I was able to take in today's basketball game between the Syracuse Orange and the Providence Friars. Tom along with friends, John and Phil, picked me up at the Weedsport Thruway parking lot.

We put the car in the VA parking garage. Phil being a veteran had an ID to allow us admittance for $5.00. We parked on the second tier adjacent to the elevator.

Once on the street we walked over to The Varsity. Although the customer line stretched out into the sidewalk, their system allowed us to quickly get our pizza slices and drinks. Sitting at a long banquet table we enjoyed our New York style pizza. Leaving The Varsity we made our trek up the hill to the Dome. Using the computerized ticket system we were admitted quickly.

The usher at the head of our aisle was Bill Granato, an Auburn legend as well as Tom's neighbor in Niles. Just to the right of the aisle was a kiosk selling programs. When the seller hollered out at me I recognized him - Mike Lattimore. Had not seen Mike since Maud's retirement. Mike as always had that great smile.

After taking our seats I reintroduced myself to Paul, the season ticket holder, just to me right. We chatted as the teams were going through their warm-ups. Phil noted that the court floor looked like it had been moved. Paul said that indeed it had been moved six feet south in order to make room for the high-priced seats.

PC was in the game until Jimmy called out the press. Playing without Council PC folded. The coup de gras was Scoop hitting a three at the half-time buzzer.

At half-time the 1987 NCAA runner-up Syracuse team was honored. Howard Triche was a starter on that team. Also among the alumni honored during this half-time tribute were Derrick Coleman, Pearl Washington, and John Wallace.

Howard Triche

John Wallace & Derek Coleman

Dwayne "Pearl" Washington

Also at court side was SU alum Sean McDonough.

SU routed PC 78-55.

The return home was uneventful. Access to Rt. 690 from the VA thanks to the Syracuse police force was flawless. After saying my thanks and good-byes came the toughest journey of the day the blustery, snowy drive from Weedsport to Auburn.