Boeheim’s Army is back in Syracuse with a chance to close out its best-of-three TBT series against Hall In on Thursday night at Upstate Medical University Arena.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., with the game airing on Fox Sports One. The winner moves on to the quarterfinals and keeps alive the run toward the $2 million prize.
The Syracuse-based group, made up largely of Syracuse men’s basketball alumni, took the first step in emphatic fashion. Boeheim’s Army rolled to an 82-52 win at Seton Hall’s Walsh Gymnasium, and the opener never really looked close after Hall In played without expected star Isaiah Whitehead.
If Hall In can’t get enough from its roster, the matchup may again tilt heavily toward Boeheim’s Army. The source material says Hall In doesn’t seem to have enough firepower to stay competitive without Whitehead, and even with him the challenge looks steep.
Boeheim’s Army got a huge scoring night from Cole Swider, who finished with 28 points in the first game. General manager Shaun Belbey also drew praise for the way he put this roster together, and the pieces have fit early.
Tyson Walker gave the team a steady burst at point guard, repeatedly getting into the lane, while Kaodirichi Akobundo-Ehiogu added a level of size and athleticism in the middle that Boeheim’s Army has never really had in TBT.
If the series goes the distance, Game 3 would be played in Syracuse on Friday.
The next round would bring a tougher name and a bigger stage. The winner of this series advances to face La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team, in Lexington on Sunday. La Familia needed three games to get past The Ville, and its roster includes Willie Cauley-Stein, the No. 6 overall NBA Draft pick in 2015, along with Archie Goodwin and Andrew Harrison.
In Other News...
Syracuse Fans Wont Like Where The Dome Landed In ACC Rankings
USA Todays latest look at ACC football stadiums probably wont thrill Syracuse fans, with the JMA Wireless Dome landing in the middle of the conference pack. The ranking leaned more practical than flattering, noting the Dome is not especially pretty and does not bring the loudest atmosphere, even if it remains a one-of-one setup as the only home dome in the Power Four.
Still, the building has changed a lot in recent years. From 2020 through 2024, Syracuse pushed through a series of upgrades that included a new fixed roof, air conditioning, a center-hung video board, better wi-fi, color-changing seating, updated seat backing and accessibility improvements, all part of making the place feel newer even if it still divides opinion. The Orange will get back inside it for the home opener Sept. 5 against New Hampshire, while the rest of the schedule sends them to several of the ACCs better-regarded venues. [Read more 🡒]
Steve Angeli Just Earned The Kind Of Respect Syracuse Needed
The Athletics latest look at projected starting quarterbacks for 2026 gave Syracuse a useful little data point, and it came with Steve Angeli right in the middle of the conversation. After transferring from Notre Dame, Angeli is expected to steer the Orange offense next season, and the national outlet slotted him at No. 44 overall while also putting him sixth among ACC quarterbacks.
For Syracuse, that kind of recognition matters because it suggests Angeli is being viewed as more than just a placeholder or a name to watch. The rankings for opponents also underline how demanding the schedule will be, with several familiar quarterback rooms drawing attention, including Notre Dames CJ Carr near the top of the list. Angeli does not have to be the flashiest quarterback in the league, but if he can settle into the job the way Syracuse hopes, the Orange should feel a lot better about where the offense is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Boeheim's Army Suddenly Has A Problem That Could Change Everything
Boeheims Army opened its TBT run the right way, rolling through Game 1 and putting itself in position to keep chasing a deeper summer tournament run. The win gave the Syracuse alumni group a little breathing room, but it also set up a second game that suddenly looks far more complicated than the first one did.
The challenge now is less about momentum than availability, with several key pieces not taking part in the opener and their status still unclear as Game 2 approaches. For a team trying to survive and advance in a format where one bad night can end the run, that kind of uncertainty changes the feel of everything, especially with the bracket only getting tougher from here. [Read more 🡒]