For Trenton Gaucher, it came as no surprise that Syracuse University made World Report’s Top 10 list of ‘Best Colleges For Basketball Fans.’

‘The list is made of some worthy schools,’ said Gaucher, the president of SU athletics fan group Otto’s Army and a senior accounting major. ‘But Otto’s Army and Syracuse as a whole deserves the spot it earned.’

The report, which includes competitive basketball campuses, such as Duke University, the University of Kansas and the University of Kentucky, cites the Orange’s longstanding tradition of winning as a reason for its position on the list. Syracuse has achieved 39 consecutive winning seasons and an NCAA record, while ranking fifth in most all-time wins among all Division I men’s basketball programs.

Though the list does not necessarily rank the 10 schools, Louis Milman said the rich athletic tradition, history and game day environment at Syracuse should be a reason for SU to be vaulted to the top spot on the list.

‘Being included on this list is an incredible compliment,’ said Milman, a senior writing and rhetoric major.

Although winning is an important part of SU’s basketball culture, one of the nation’s most loyal student fan bases was not overlooked. Gaucher said one of Otto’s Army’s main jobs is to add to the loyal and steady fan base, which he said helps achieve a home-court advantage.

As a leadership group, Otto’s Army works directly with the SU Athletics Office to organize cheers, plan special events and fan giveaways, and offer student ticket deals. But even though it may not be official, the entire student section should also consider themselves part of Otto’s Army, Gaucher said.

‘I have a mental image of last year’s Villanova game,’ Milman said. ‘With 34,616 fans there that night, it shows that there’s no better environment for college basketball.’

The Carrier Dome, SU’s indoor stadium for 30 years and a significant campus landmark, has played host to several of NCAA basketball’s largest crowds in history.

‘The Loud House having the record for highest attendance for a single game should be enough to show why SU basketball games are so amazing,’ said Tyler Kenly, an undecided freshman in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. ‘There’s little doubt we’re one of the best basketball schools in the country.’

Although Duke University is not one of SU’s direct basketball rivals, the Cameron Crazies, Duke’s student section, is the gold standard of student involvement for Otto’s Army, Gaucher said. He added that Otto’s Army will try to raise to its level by the end of the season.

With six home victories already this season, fans are looking to continue the tradition that placed Syracuse on the list in the first place.

‘The games so far this season have been exciting, even though there’s only been one game against an opponent SU wasn’t expected to demolish,’ Kenly said. ‘When Georgetown and Villanova come, it’s going to be unreal. I can’t wait.’

ervanrhe@syr.edu

Published on December 7, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Contact Erik: ervanrhe@syr.edu | @therealvandyman