Boeheim's Army wins! Game brings up questions about need for new arena - WSTM

What the report says

CNYcentral/WSTM reported that Boeheim’s Army, the Syracuse University alumni team, defeated Seton Hall’s alumni team, Hall In, 81-76 on Thursday night in The Basketball Tournament. The game marked the first time the annual TBT event was played at the War Memorial in downtown Syracuse, after previous local games were hosted on the Onondaga Community College campus.

The change of venue drew attention beyond the result on the court. According to the report, fans at the War Memorial discussed whether Syracuse needs a new arena, a question that has also surfaced in conversations among Onondaga County officials. The county has not approved or confirmed any arena plan, and the idea remains under discussion.

The War Memorial, a long-running downtown venue that has been part of Syracuse for 74 years, was praised by some attendees for bringing more activity into the city center. Boeheim’s Army fan Greg Szklany told CNYcentral that the downtown location made the event feel exciting and could help attract more fans to the area.

At the same time, the report said some attendees viewed the facility as needing upgrades. Concerns included seating comfort and technology improvements, issues that often shape debates over whether to renovate an existing public venue or pursue a replacement. The TBT game therefore served not only as a basketball event but also as a public-facing example of the broader discussion over the future of major indoor events in Syracuse.