Syracuse Basketball Players Talk Favorite Pro Teams, Players, Food and Top Jim Boeheim Stories

By Ehtel S. Klein Last updated Apr 15, 2022

The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball season is upon us. As we head into the start of non-conference play next week, we still have some media day leftovers to hand out ahead of time.

Given the dignity of our work here as regular detectives (carry on, Dick Tracy), we spoke with more members of the Syracuse basketball team on their favorite professional teams, their players, their food, and the best Jim Boeheim times they’ve had since joining the team, among other things.

There are challenges when it comes to being an individual credential army that is TNIAAM: We tried unsuccessfully to get answers from every player, but we were timid. That’s life.

Among the players we spoke to, here are their answers.

Sorry for the others we missed. We are sure you are completely devastated.

Patrick Gorski – USA TODAY Sports

Friend Boeheim:

NBA team: Lakers

NBA player: Melo

NFL Team: Bucs (Tom Brady fan)

Food: Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Best place to eat in Syracuse: Santangelo’s

TV Show/Movie: The Office / Space Jam (original)

Pre-game songs: Anything from Drake, Meek Mill or Lil Baby

Favorite former Syracuse player: Melo or GMAC.

Not Jim?

Nope ! Not him. He’s going to get mad at me for that. He says he’s a better player than me so I can’t agree with that.

The best of Cusa: Just the family culture. Playing for my dad, playing with my brother. These coaches I grew up with and this fan base.

Best Jim Boeheim Moment: Probably falling off the chair last year was really funny against NC State. It’s this one.

Cole Swider:

NBA player: james lebron

NFL Team: patriots

Food: Salmon

Best place to eat in Syracuse: CoreLife Restaurant

TV Show/Movie: Friday Night Lights / Hoosiers

Pre-game songs: Drake, Lil Durk

Favorite former Syracuse player: Gerry McNamara

The best thing about Cuse: Global support

Best Jim Boeheim Moment: Just going to his house and seeing him in that atmosphere was hilarious. Seeing the Hall of Famer at home is so funny.

Joe Girard:

NBA team: miami heat

NBA player: Steph Curry/Dwyane Wade

NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys

Food: Chicken wings

Best place to eat in Syracuse: Pastabilities/Varsity

TV Show/Movie: Ozark / The Blind Side

Pre-game songs: Drake, little baby

Favorite former Syracuse player: G-Mac

The best thing about Cuse: That I’m home and everyone can come see me play

Best Jim Boeheim Moment: There are many. The way he interacts with John Bol [Ajak]. Any interaction with John Bol.

Chaz Owens:

NBA team: Lakers

NBA player: Kevin Durant

NFL Team: Baltimore Ravens

Food: Cesar salad

Best place to eat in Syracuse: Premier Steakhouse

TV Show/Movie: Stranger Things/Scarface

Pre-game songs: Travis Scott

Favorite former Syracuse player: Billy Owen

The best thing about Cuse: My teammates

Best Jim Boeheim Moment: When he yells at us in the locker room. About to throw chairs, things like that.

Does a particular moment stand out?

I can’t think of one. There’s too much.

Benny Williams:

NBA team: Nets

NBA player: Paul George (wears #13 because of him)

NFL Team: I do not have any

Food: Chicken wings

Best place to eat in Syracuse: Tully’s or Varsity

Pre-game songs: Anything lil baby

Best Jim Boeheim Story: His love for Jerry West. He loves Jerry West. Once we were home for a rookie and Sy [Symir Torrence] was saying how Giannis was the all-time top 25 and he was like no, Jerry West! Jerry West!

NCAA Basketball: NCAA-Syracuse Tournament at San Diego State

Jesse Edwards:

NBA team: N / A

NFL Team: N / A

Food: Sushi

Best place to eat in Syracuse: Not one in particular

Film: Gladiator

Favorite former Syracuse player: carmelo anthony

The best thing about Cuse: The dome and the carriage

Best Jim Boeheim Moment: Just come and see what it’s like when he coaches the team. It’s like laser focus.

Symir Torrence:

NBA team: Lakers

NBA player: Russell Westbrook

NFL Team: giants

Food: Pasta

Best Jim Boeheim Moment: I would just say that when I signed up on the phone, I heard Juli Boeheim and him. Juli Boeheim said, “You better come here! And Buddy and Jimmy were laughing and the coach was laughing too. It’s a moment I will cherish forever.