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Syracuse graduate student Zoe Zimmer was excited for the ambiance in Schine Student Center. She was ready to watch Syracuse men’s basketball take on Houston in the Sweet 16, and though she admitted that her basketball knowledge was limited, she said it didn’t matter — she was just happy to be at the watch party.

For the first time since the pandemic began, students were able to participate in an SU-sponsored watch party for a game. About 60 students came to the newly-renovated student center, where social distancing measures were in place. The environment was COVID-19-safe, multiple students said.

“Everything is done well on the first floor, second floor and The Underground,” Zimmer said. 

At 9:10 p.m., 45 minutes before No. 2 seed Houston tipped off against No. 11 seed Syracuse, the first floor of the student center was already at full capacity. Security officers told students to move either to the second floor or The Underground, where the game was being shown as well. Graduate student Mudit Dhama went downstairs to The Underground. He was surprised to find the first floor already full when he arrived, but he was still excited to be a part of the event.

As the game began and the Orange got to a slow start, Schine remained relatively quiet except for some chatter. But as the Orange mounted a first-half run to pull within a possession, the volume of the crowd started to increase. And by 10:40 pm, when guard Buddy Boeheim went to the foul line and tied the game with his third free throw with just less than five minutes to go in the half, the students in Schine erupted. 

The celebrations weren’t limited to students, either. Event staff employees, such as Max Goldberg, were part of the watch party as well. 

“One of the reasons I came to the school was because of the school spirit,” he said. “So anytime I have an opportunity to root for any team, I will go all the way.” 

But the cheers were replaced with groans and frustration as the Cougars ended the first half on a 10-0 run. Many said the prospect of Syracuse winning left them uneasy about off-campus gatherings — such as the one at Castle Court when SU beat West Virginia last week. Some in Schine expressed concern that the aftermath of another SU victory could be the same, with over 100 people gathering, many without masks. 

“If we win, (the Castle Court gathering) will probably be topped just because Syracuse will be going further into the tournament,” one junior said. 

Henry O’Brien | Staff Writer

But Syracuse collapsed down the stretch, and the concerns never materialized. Initially, in the second half, the crowd was full of energy and enthusiasm, especially when forward Marek Dolezaj made SU’s first field goal out of halftime. Then, the deficit grew, the crowd got quieter, and the moans and groans started to get louder. One staff member shouted “No charge, ref?” after Dolezaj was called for a blocking foul. And with about 35 seconds left in the game, the crowd emptied.

Zimmer, like many others, was disappointed with the end result, but she still appreciated the experience. 

“I really enjoyed the night because watching this game in here was something really fun,” she said.

Published on March 28, 2021 at 3:41 am

Contact Henry: henrywobrien1123@gmail.com