Sports

Duke Basketball Trolls Syracuse After Record Crowd’s Shameful Exodus In Embarrassing Loss

#Duke Blue Devils
by
Duke basketball players on the bench before a game vs. Syracuse.

© Rich Barnes-Imagn Images


The Duke basketball program embarrassed ACC rival Syracuse in the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday, 83-54. The Blue Devils never trailed in the contest, controlling the game throughout.

Their lead grew to as many as 31 in the second half, causing a number of Orange supporters to funnel out of the arena early. The home crowd refused to watch the dismantling of its once proud program.

Syracuse was an NCAA Tournament mainstay under Jim Boeheim, making five Final Fours and winning a national championship in 2003. They’ve failed to make the postseason across the last three seasons. A fourth straight omission appears imminent.

The Orange are 10-13 on the year. That includes a 4-8 mark in ACC action. They’re currently 14th in the 18-team league standings with eight conference matchups left to play. Barring an incredible turnaround, they’ll be watching the Big Dance from home once again.

Still, the fanbase showed out Wednesday to cheer on the program. The 23,313-person crowd was the largest seen for any college basketball team this season, which is particularly impressive given some of the poor showings recently witnessed at major programs for midweek matchups.

The social media department attempted to highlight that accomplishment after the fact, giving the fans a pat on the back for coming out to support. The Blue Devils took it as an opportunity to troll. They reposted the online attendance graphic with a caption that read, “The Duke Effect.”

In many ways, that statement is true. Everyone loves to take down Goliath, and the Duke basketball team fits that bill this year. The Blue Devils are 20-2 on the season and look destined for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That being said, it wasn’t something that needed to be announced publicly!

Duke buried the Orange on the court. They then stomped on Syracuse’s grave on social media. The Blue Devils took full credit for the packed house in the JMA Wireless Dome. They can also take credit for its emptiness in the final minutes.