Syracuse Stuns No. 13 Tennessee, Fans Storm Court in Electrifying Win
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The JMA Wireless Dome was rocking Tuesday night, and for good reason. Syracuse pulled off its biggest win of the season, taking down No. 13 Tennessee in a 62-60 thriller - the Orange’s first victory over a ranked opponent since knocking off North Carolina back in February 2023, and their first non-conference ranked win since 2018.
As the final buzzer sounded and Tennessee’s last-second attempt clanged off the rim, the celebration was instant and electric. Fans poured onto the court, and the Dome transformed into a sea of orange chaos - the kind of scene that defines college basketball at its best.
Head coach Adrian Autry opened his postgame remarks by thanking the fans, and you could tell this one meant something extra. “That’s college basketball,” Autry said.
“It’s fun for our students, our community. Those are the moments we want more of.”
And he’s right. Court-storming is one of the purest, most visceral traditions in the sport - a spontaneous eruption of joy that connects players, students, and a community in a way few things can. It’s not without its risks, sure, but it’s also part of what gives college hoops its soul.
The ACC hasn’t gone the way of the SEC - which has banned court-storming entirely and slapped $500,000 fines on programs that let it happen - but it does have protocols in place. On Tuesday, those were clearly in motion.
As fans surged toward the court, security quickly formed a human shield between the celebration and the handshake line, ensuring both teams could exit safely. It was a delicate balance between celebration and control - and on this night, it worked.
Inside the chaos, the players soaked it all in.
“I was jumping up and down. I think one of the fans tried to pick me up,” said freshman guard Kiyan Anthony, still buzzing from the experience.
“This is my first time being a part of something like this. I always seen it on TV.
But it was great. It was a great feeling.”
JJ Starling, who’s been through this before, didn’t hold back either. “It’s a blessing.
That’s my second one in three years,” he said. “Nothing beats it.
Having the community storm the court after a big win is just big time.”
And it wasn’t just the final seconds that made this one feel special. From the opening tip, the energy inside the Dome was different.
The crowd was engaged, loud, and relentless - a true sixth man. “The fans are great,” said Nate Kingz.
“They brought it the whole game. The momentum was huge with them.”
The moment itself unfolded in classic fashion. As soon as Sadiq White grabbed the rebound off Jaylen Carey’s missed shot, fans began creeping toward the court, waiting for the green light.
When the horn sounded, the dam broke. Cameras flashed, hugs were everywhere, and for a few unforgettable minutes, the players were rock stars in the middle of a campus-wide celebration.
For Will Kyle, the experience was a career first - and one he won’t forget anytime soon. “That was amazing,” he said.
“I’ve never experienced a court storm in my career so that was awesome. Couldn’t have scripted it any better.
So much love for Syracuse and just the community and all the love that they give us. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Moments like these are why college basketball still matters. In an era where the sport fights for attention outside of March, where realignment has chipped away at rivalries and NIL headlines dominate, these spontaneous, joy-filled storms remind us what makes it all worth it.
Yes, safety matters. And yes, leagues have to be smart.
But let’s not lose sight of what makes college basketball, well, college basketball. Tuesday night in Syracuse was one of those nights - a gritty win, a ranked opponent, and a flood of fans who just couldn’t stay in their seats.
The Orange earned every bit of that celebration.