South Regional | Edge: Syracuse-Oklahoma
MIAMI -- The Eric Devendorf moment finally came with about four minutes left in the second half Sunday against Arizona State. It took almost two games in the NCAA tournament for him to stop and pose, but it was his time after a 3-pointer that clinched the game for Syracuse.
The junior guard for the Orange is among the most hated players in college basketball. Isn't that a title usually reserved for someone from Duke or North Carolina?
Most of the time that's the case, but not this season. This year, it's Devendorf.
That's what happens when you're covered in tattoos. There also was an ugly off-the-court incident, an altercation with a woman that could have gotten him kicked out of school this season. And then there's the preening after he makes shots.
He has been called all sorts of names by opposing fans. In the first round Friday, members of the Stephen F. Austin band yelled that they hate him.
On Sunday, there were "you beat women" and "you're a loser" chants from the Sun Devils faithful.
"I'm not going to repeat anything," said Syracuse junior forward Rick Jackson of what has been yelled at Devendorf during the year. "I've heard a lot of things."
With four more wins in the NCAA tournament, you might be calling Devendorf a champion. Syracuse beat Arizona State 78-67 in the second round of the South Regional behind 21 points from Devendorf. The No. 3-seeded Orange advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2004 and will meet No. 2 Oklahoma in Memphis.
Syracuse played at Memphis on Dec. 20, but Devendorf missed that game. It was part of the two-game suspension he served after being suspended for striking a female student in the Nov. 1 incident.
A review panel originally recommended he be suspended for the remainder of the academic year, but Devendorf was ultimately ordered to complete 40 hours of community service before becoming eligible to regain his status as a student and athlete.
He did his community service at the Rescue Mission in Syracuse. Devendorf stayed through Christmas break and even spent Christmas Day at the mission serving food and washing dishes.
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| Eric Devendorf scores 21 points, including a pair of big 3-pointers, for Syracuse. (AP) |
It also made him grow up. He admits he made a mistake and vows to be a better man.
"I learned a lot through being there," Devendorf said about the community service. "It made you step back and count your blessings."
But there's still the posing after he makes shots that tends to drive everyone mad. He will hold out his right hand after a 3-pointer or grin at an opponent running down the court.
With Arizona State cutting the lead to 61-57 with about 6:30 remaining, Andy Rautins and Devendorf hit back-to-back 3-pointers to pretty much put the game away. Devendorf followed with a second 3-pointer 37 seconds later, and it was over at 70-59.
When he released the second shot, Devendorf stood there for a couple of seconds after it went in.
"I don't know if I posed," Devendorf said with a smile. "I probably just stood there."
Jackson said there is nothing wrong with Devendorf's antics on the court.
"He loves the game," Jackson said. "He shows his emotions. People get mad at it, but for what? Fans are just mean. They don't like anybody."
It's hard to like Devendorf based on what has happened the past year and some of the on-court displays. But his teammates have rallied around him, and he has remained a standout on the court.
He said Sunday when the game is on the line, he wants the ball. He likes the big stage, and he has that now for the first time in his career with the Sweet 16.
"That's my personality," Devendorf said. "I want to be in that position. I'm going to step up and take it.
"It feels good to know I have the opportunity to be in this position."
He almost lost the opportunity by his own mistake. All he can do now is move on and try to put it behind him.
He'll just have to deal with the chants from the crowd and all the harassment he continues to get as a hated player. But that's what happens when you pose after making shots.
Sometimes when you act like the villain, you get what you deserve.
