Winningest Orange Player is Back and Hungry For More

Story by Nicole Jones
Photos: Staff, Nicole Jones

SYRACUSE, N.Y. --  Brandon Triche says he is focused and ready go.

Triche started every game in his SU career and was part of more Orange wins than any other player - 121 - then played in Italy and with the New York Knicks' summer league team in 2014.

But Triche tore his ACL in January 2015 and had to sit out more than a year, missing a chance to be part of Boeheim's Army last summer, Now he is back and he says better. Having been cleared to play again just three months ago Triche says he is excited to be a part of this summer's $2 million dollar challenge.

The attention this tournament receives is perfect for Triche, he’s been trying to get his name back on the map since his injury. “$2 million is a great incentive,” Triche said in a courtside interview after a series of scrimmages against current SU players at the Melo Center. “It’s fun and incredible. It’s like an older person’s March Madness.”

The Basketball Tournament

64 teams are involved in four regionals.  Each game will be streamed live for the world to see. With the prize winnings doubling from last year all bars have been raised. The thought of millions of people watching doesn’t faze Triche one bit.

“Playing for SU is the highest level right after the NBA,” Triche said. TBT isn't far from that level as well, each team is stacked with big name college alumni players, professional players from overseas and ex-NBA players.

Boeheim’s Army is the definition of stacked with Terrence Roberts, Darryl Watkins, Baye Moussa Keita, Eric Devendorf and Purdue alum Willie Deane practicing together and others expected to join in this weekend in Philadelphia. For loyal Orange fans are all over the country, this tournament is a great chance for to watch players they haven’t seen in years.

Expectations are higher than a year ago when Boeheim's Army lost by four in the Elite 8. 

“The best part about this is playing with these guys,” Triche said.  It’s not often that you hear alumni of a school like Syracuse getting together to play again while naming their team after their college head coach.

Boeheim's Army, the No. 2 seed in the Northeast Regional will go up against No. 15 seed Basketball City NYC in the first game this Saturday July 16 at Philadelphia University. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.