Former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony names one team he could ‘never beat’ in his college career
Despite being a national name during his Oak Hill Academy days, Carmelo Anthony's lone college year with Syracuse Orange was one of its kind. Anthony averaged 22.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals on 45.3% shooting while starting all 35 games in the 2002-03 season.
He led the program to its only NCAA championship while pouring 33 points in the Final Four game and a 20-point/10 rebound double in the title game to garner the Most Outstanding Player award. Nevertheless, despite achieving the highest NCAA honors in just a year, Anthony recently shared one feat he missed during his collegiate run.
"I'm a UConn hater," Carmelo Anthony said on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast with The Kid Mero and Kemba Walker. "I never beat UConn, never," he added as.
Carmelo Anthony faced the Huskies twice during his Syracuse days and faced a double-digit loss in both games. As the rest of the Syracuse unit combined for 31 points, Anthony posted 29 points in the February 10 game alongside 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals.
Anthony delivered similar numbers in the March 14 rematch, scoring 29 points and 15 rebounds (8 offensive) in another double-digit loss. Other starters for the Orange managed only 23 points as four starters on UConn scored in double digits.
Carmelo Anthony has a UConn Huskies lover in the family
Dan Hurley's back-to-back championship runs have turned many heads in the basketball world and made the Huskies the most successful program in the last 5 years.
With that, as players eye a chance to learn the winning ropes early, Carmelo Anthony's son, Kiyan Anthony, hopes that Hurley extends him an offer.
“I like UConn. Whenever I see the coach walking around during live periods, he always shows me love. So I hope UConn reaches out," Kiyan Anthony told On3 last year.
Kiyan Anthony currently holds offers from nearly 10 universities including UMass, Manhattan, Providence, Indiana, Tennesse, his dad’s alma mater and others.
Given that he is one of the brightest players in the pool of 2025, there is still a possibility that the younger Anthony might end up playing for the college team his father hates.