Orange Ring in Hoop Season at Orange Madness

(10/21/2016) Orange Madness 2016

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse University men's and women's basketball teams celebrated the beginning of basketball season as they always do at Orange Madness on Friday night, but the mood was an extra celebratory one in the Carrier Dome this year as both teams celebrated their Final Four runs a season ago. Both team's received their Final Four rings before being introduced to the Dome crowd.

It was an all new set-up in the Dome this year as a stage with catwalk and huge LED video screen occupied the side of the court opposite the team benches. It was there that the Orange players and coaches were introduced one-by-one and hip-hop artist Jadakiss performed at the beginning of the show.

.@Therealkiss kicks off #OrangeMadness right! pic.twitter.com/n9d6tUeJt7
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) October 21, 2016

The show, which aired on ESPN Network Extra, kicked off with a video welcome from Orange legend Carmelo Anthony, who introduced his friend Jadakiss. Following Jadakiss' performance, in which the life-long Syracuse fan declared he "bleeds Orange," the 'Cuse women's and men's teams were introduced. The final introduction was saved for Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, who made his entrance with soldiers from the Army's 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum and the Air Force.

???? @therealboeheim makes his entrance with soldiers from @drum10thmtn #OrangeMadness pic.twitter.com/flkGU6z0tm
— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) October 21, 2016

Coach Boeheim then addressed the crowd, declaring "How about a hand for the two Final Four teams, the first time in history at Syracuse!"

Hosting the event were "Voice of the Orange" Matt Park and ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg.

In the women's basketball scrimmage, the Orange team defeated the White squad, 18-10. Senior guard Alexis Peterson led the way with eight points, including two 3-point field goals.

Following the women's scrimmage, the 3-point contest was held. Freshman guard Gabrielle Cooper of the women's team scored 13 points to clinch the victory, besting graduate student guard Andrew White of the men's squad.

Pure. pic.twitter.com/yWz3ysusRO
— 'Cuse Women's Hoops (@CuseWBB) October 22, 2016

Syracuse's all-time leader in 3-point field goals made, men's assistant coach Gerry McNamara, came off the bench to challenge Cooper. McNamara hit his final shot to match Cooper and tie the competition.

In the men's scrimmage, 'Cuse athleticism was on full display with a mix of dunks, blocks and impressive outside shooting. In the end, the Orange Team prevailed, 23-17, over the White Team. Standing out were strong performances by Tyler Roberson at both ends of the floor, outside shooting by freshman Tyus Battle, and beauty of dipsy-do drive and score by graduate transfer John Gillon at the buzzer.

Competing in the always-popular dunk contest were defending champ Doyin Akintobi-Adeyeye and Battle. The freshman guard took the title with a lob-between-the-legs dunk that draw brought the crowd, and his teammates, to their feet, drawing nines across the board from judges Jadakiss, Nick Trivelpiece and Greenberg.

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— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) October 22, 2016

Jadakiss closed the show by performing on the court with the two teams.

Following Orange Madness, the evening finished with #CuseSelfie stations in the backcourt area, allowing fans to get photos with their favorite players and coaches.

Also performing throughout the evening were the Syracuse cheer and dance teams, the Sour Sitrus Society pep band, "Orange Girl" Meghan Sinisi, and of course Otto the Orange.

Syracuse University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Doyin Akintobi-Adeyeye

Tyus Battle

Gabrielle Cooper

John Gillon

Alexis Peterson

Tyler Roberson

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