Syracuse basketball fans will get one more shot to see a defining program story play out on the big screen this fall.
“Will to Win,” Syracuse.com’s documentary on the Orange’s 2003 national championship run, is returning for a one-night-only screening at Manlius Cinema on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. The event is being presented in partnership with Manlius Cinema.
The screening arrives as Syracuse basketball begins a new chapter under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara, who was one of the stars of that championship team.
The 80-minute film features interviews and behind-the-scenes accounts from Carmelo Anthony, Gerry McNamara, Jim Boeheim, Hakim Warrick and every scholarship player and coach from the title team. It follows a roster full of new faces as it works through adversity, builds confidence and climbs from unranked in the preseason to the program’s first national championship, capped by the final-seconds win over Kansas in New Orleans.
Originally released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2003 title season, the documentary drew strong praise from former SU guard and team captain Kueth Duany after its 2023 premiere.
“I thought it was wonderful,” Duany said. “It’s for everybody in this community, everybody in the program. To document it with all of us, it made me emotional, made me happy, and I definitely need to keep one (copy) in my house so I can replay it all the time.
“It’s really powerful.”
Tickets are on sale now and are available while supplies last. Seating is limited. The runtime is 80 minutes.
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