‘Will to Win’: Syracuse Basketball’s Unlikely Rise from Underdogs to 2003 NCAA Champions

"Will to Win: Syracuse Basketball's Unlikely Rise from Underdogs to National Champs" is a groundbreaking syracuse.com documentary featuring never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes accounts from every scholarship player and coach of the 2003 NCAA championship team, including Carmelo Anthony, Gerry McNamara and Jim Boeheim.
The film is packed with fresh and revealing interviews from the players and coaches involved in the most unforgettable period in SU basketball history - one that united an entire community. The documentary, presented OneGroup, marks the 20th anniversary of the group that rose from being unranked in the preseason to claim the program’s first national championship during the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
Besides Melo, G-Mac and Boeheim, the film features Kueth Duany, Hakim Warrick, Mike Hopkins, Troy Weaver and the rest of the 2003 team Tyrone Albright, Josh Brooks, Billy Edelin, Craig Forth, Matt Gorman, Gary Hall, Andrew Kouwe, Jeremy McNeil and Josh Pace.
Syracuse.com Hall of Fame reporter Mike Waters also interviewed Juli Boeheim, former Kansas coach Roy Williams and former associate coach Bernie Fine as he traveled coast-to-coast to document this unforgettable season.
Follow all of our coverage around the 2003 national championship season:
www.syracuse.com/will-to-win/
Film contains language that may be offensive to some viewers
Produced and directed by
CHRISTA LEMCZAK
Executive Producer
LAUREN LONG
Written by
NATE MINK, MIKE WATERS
Edited by
JOHN LAMMERS, TRISH LaMONTE, LAUREN LONG
Director of Photography
N. SCOTT TRIMBLE
Motion Graphics
CHRISTA LEMCZAK
Music
SUBCAT STUDIOS, SHANE PATTERSON, TONY VADALA
CHRISTA LEMCZAK, EPIDEMIC SOUND
Audio post-production
STEVEN VAUGHN KRAY
Reporting
DONNA DITOTA, MIKE WATERS
Syracuse.com photo archives/animation
STEPHEN D. CANNERELLI, RILEY CLARKE, JOHNATHAN CROYLE, DENNIS NETT
Archival photos/footage provided by
TYRONE ALBRIGHT
THE BOEHEIM FAMILY
JORDAN BRINGERT
JANISE DUNCAN
GARY HALL
ANDREW KOUWE
TIM MCNAMARA
ROB STRONACH
QUEEN WARRICK
CAPITOL HOOPS
CITRUSTV
GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS
GETTY IMAGES
STEVE BYRD STUDIO
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
UNC ATHLETICS
WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
WNEP-TV
Archival Footage Services
CATAPULT SPORTS INC.
ESPN ENTERPRISES, INC.
NCAA/VERITONE
Supported by
UPSTATE NURSING
HOWARD HANNA REAL ESTATE SERVICES
CHINA TOWNE FURNITURE AND MATTRESS
HOFMANN SAUSAGE CO.
LANDMARK THEATRE
VISUAL TECHNOLOGIES
Special thanks
GABE JOHNSON
MOST HOLY ROSARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
THE WILDCAT SPORTS PUB
YMCA DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE

[@SouthernSkeptic]

this team is actually underrated in CBB history. They only ever talk about Melo and GMAC but they were much more than that.

[@kavienjay8]

Outside of my Tarheels, this Syracuse team was my favorite to watch win it all . What a duo McNamara & Melo were ! I remember watching them in like early Jan. Big East play & immediately being drawn to this team .

[@im1million]

5 stars, incredible documentary! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Melo's a superstar with character, huge character, he gave back to the program with the "Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center". And the Coach? There'll never be another iconic legend in NCAA men's basketball ever again. Never.

[@jeanday303]

Melo is hands down the best college player I have ever seen.....He smoked everyone who stepped in front of him.....

[@MrBongobongbongo]

As a Orange fan Melo was the only player that didn't give me what I call "Orange anxiety", you knew it was going in.

[@paullastnamehere3295]

What a way to remember the 20 year anniversary. That was a great season and its great to hear some of the behind-the-scenes stories.

[@iamray09]

Ppl gonna think I’m lying but the first game I saw Melo play in college they lost and I was like they go win the championship. He was just a different type of player

[@tylerv.5645]

Best college basketball team ever…

[@gusweinstein6012]

Hakeem was different, man. Two feet in the lane, literally flew out to block that shot in less than half a second. Unbelievable athleticism. Pure instincts.

[@danevans5823]

Thanks for a great trip down memory lane.Really well put together by everyone

[@johnb2706]

I was stationed at Shaw AFB in South Carolina and I was forced to be on duty on this night. Luckily there were some young guys who knew how big this was for me so I got to see most of the game. Best night ever for me as an SU fan !

[@syracusecom]

It was 21 years ago today that the Syracuse Orange defied the odds and won the 2003 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Thanks for watching.

[@yomommaahotoo264]

This was right after I moved from Syracuse to another state after 20 yrs.. Watched that game and wondered why I left.

[@Buckeye2043]

Life long resident of Seneca Falls about 35 minutes west of Cuse. This was an amazing run. I’ll never forget it. Gmac and Melo are always talked about but Warrick was my favorite player on this squad. Athletic freak.

[@Hamjr193]

Attending SU when they made it to the sweet 16 in 2021 you could feel how electric the campus was, I couldn't imagine how it would be had we went on to win the chip

[@bobsandler4563]

Excellent. So great to see the whole team participate in the interviews. Great job.

[@michelephelps1087]

Nicely done. Made me want to watch the highlights of the 6 OT game as well. 😊

[@alexcarl3050]

I was the only 'Cuse fan watching at a sports bar in Burbank CA and I sobbed when that final buzzer sounded. I was 15 years old when Smart beat us at the buzzer in '87 and had been haunted by that image for years. Great documentary.

[@TheOne-bs9sn]

What an amazing documentary. High-quality, well written, and so in-depth with all the interviews. Absolutely does that season justice. Orange forever 🍊🍊🍊

[@JustCoolnShawn]

This whole unit turned the program around that season. Everybody played their role and we’re great at it. Fast forward to Carmelo Anthony is a first ballet hall of famer. Jim B is one of the greatest college coaches ever.

[@moneymeekins3457]

The reason I started watching basketball!!! Melo living legend 🍊🐐

[@darrenrichards3100]

My home town

[@peacelove5873]

The Texas Teabag never gets old!

[@elliemyers6435]

I'm SO happy to see the stuff on Billy Edelin...he played SUCH a big role on that team, and especially in the national championship game, and then it seemed like he disappeared off the face of the earth after that season. I remember he was a very highly recruited guy (Did he play with Melo at Oak Hill?) and it seemed like he had NBA talent, but was he only at 'Cuse for a year? In any event, I'm just glad to see him in this.

[@jasoncuthbert4169]

Totally agree. He also played at Dematha for Morgan Wooten. Very good player

[@prorespluscom]

My favorite player on that team. In the hotel after the nat championship he signed my SU.hat

[@fatdave1974]

I was at the CUSE for the run in ‘96. Heartbreaking!! But I remember celebrating on Marshall Street when we won that semi final game. So glad coach was able to get his ring in ‘03. That was a great team. Loved this doc. 🍊🧡

[@brianbanks3044]

even though I know they won, i still get nervous watching the final seconds

[@sustud1531]

Absolutely

[@CarnivoryHODL]

Best Syracuse team in history!

[@lookingforfalse4082]

Ok so as a 50 year old man born and raised in Syracuse, this team finally brought us what were waiting for , thanks so much, side note the parade was off the chain

[@bpitch1071]

Grew up in SYR Fan my whole life This was a phenomenal team

[@CuseSouthSide]

I still can remember where I was at when Syracuse won; I was at my sister's playing poker and watching the game..

[@danfinn2210]

Without Jeremy McNeil’s defense in the games leading up to the final, Syracuse would not have been there. He earned and deserved more playing time.

[@MalcolmDesigns]

Great documentary. I was a junior at SU when we were in the final in 1987 and lost to Indiana. This 2003 win was amazing, I'll never forget the game. GO Cuse!

[@tomek6132]

I live in Ottawa, Canada. Last year decided to give NCAA football game last year. Fell in love with the team. Went back for my first NCAA basketball game later that year. Love the orange so much. GO CUSE!!!

[@scotttimmins5297]

I still have the game on a VHS tape!

[@thomaswick4260]

That made me feel proud to be from Syracuse and to have been home with all my friends from my youth when Syracuse beat Kansas to win the NC in 2003 that was special and forever ❤

[@JaxBiv513]

20 years, yo! I was in the fifth grade watching this team win the National Championship. I remember Melo was still on the cover of ‘NCAA March Madness ‘04’ even though he was already in the NBA and you couldn’t even play as him in the game 😂. Great documentary!

[@elliemyers6435]

I remember watching this game so vividly in my living room when I was 17....and one thing I still think about is why Kirk Hinrich didn't take that last three....Michael Lee was the best guy by percentage, but Kirk had a pretty clean look from the wing (he had missed one in and out either the possession before or a couple possessions before, maybe that's why he didn't take it) that I bet you if you asked him now, he'd say he should've shot it. That said, even if KU had gotten it to OT, it's really hard to see them pulling it out...Collison and Keith Langford had fouled out...that was just Cuse's game all the way.

[@mosinc7388]

What a season. Glad Jim got one.

[@MrHB323]

this was dope! very interesting to hear the story from all sides who were involved in this journey and the backstory to the main story. could've dove a little deeper into some of the lead ups like Melo's back injury and the first loss of the season but overall, this was great to watch!

[@strangebotwin-]

I didn’t think I’d love any ‘Cuse player as much as I did John Wallace… and then came Anthony. Melo for life!

[@bigblue4920]

I have been following them since 1970 and 20 years ago still seems like yesterday. Great job by all involved with this quality production!

[@tariqwho7239]

What a documentary! I learned so much that’s awesome.

[@slikdarelic]

This was well put together.. I teared up a few times watchin it.. thk u for this!!! LETS GO ORRRRANGE!!! 💪🏿❤

[@alangabrielponce1313]

I was highschool when I accidentally changed channel and want to want some basketball. Then a game by Syracuse popped up and I fell inlove. Their 2-3 zone was elite, their chemistry is off the charts. And from March Madness, I became a big Melo and Warrick and Cuse fan. Thank you for making my childhood the best! And thank you for making me fall in love with basketball even more. Love from the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@Parkbenchaquatics]

This is a great watch and brings back a ton of memories! Thanks!

[@richardsamson4079]

Brought me right back into the feels

[@J-K-A]

This is a great documentary. Thanks for making this.

[@AudreyAntonetteTC]

love this, you guys did a great job putting this together. thank you!

[@MassaroMinistries9782]

Outstanding Recruiting Video if you can get a young guy to view it in its entirety.😊

[@juliansballinclips8117]

GOOSEBUMPS and I was only a year old when this happened. I love you melo

[@Bluzslam]

Really well done!!!

[@CriZBeX]

It was awesome to go back in time and relive these moments!

[@RMGCBG]

From Auburn, this is my favorite moments in sports

[@cuse445]

Auburn, GA or Auburn, NY?

[@GreliBelandres]

My favorite player of all time Carmelo Anthony! 🍊

[@44032]

Superbly done. I wish we had more of them to do. Maybe someday...

[@heidistephens9485]

This video and the premiere event at the Landmark turned out to be a wonderful way to pay tribute to Coach Boeheim as he retires. I remember watching the 2003 championship game at home after work. I have never screamed at a TV set as loudly as I did that night.

[@BrandonHill-gj3rz]

Give melo is flowers he still has enough in the tank to get a championship for any team before he retire

[@LensOfSin]

Great documentary!

[@josh58025]

This was amazing!

[@terrybrown9206]

This is one of the best teams that I can remember in the last 20 years

[@dken1149]

Phenomenal documentary

[@brennanoneil2114]

Good stuff!

[@WillEvans15]

Man what a time to be alive! My freshman year of HS I can remember really enjoying college basketball because I wanted to follow some of the guys I looked up to in my neighborhood. Then that year I’m saying to myself wow this Syracuse team is crazy good! Carmelo is an NBA Talent!

[@MitchMitchellStories]

It feels funny to think this, but this was better than any of my favorite professional sports teams winning a championship. I followed some months after my dad passed away, never getting the opportunity to watch it. It's the only championship that's ever made me cry; Go Orange!

[@Losdamost100]

Melo 🍊

[@PANCHOSWAY]

What a documentary!!! Wow

[@stevedarms9914]

This was really well-done. It's interesting to compare the 2004 "Orange Odyssey" documentary to this one with interviews 20 years later. The only aspect of this I wasn't crazy about was the "players watching other footage on tablets" motif, which is basically stolen from ESPN's "The Last Dance" documentaries.

[@MMCGIRTH12]

Honestly if Melo stayed, he could’ve won again & went 1st overall pick

[@craighare1711]

Love all of you!

[@robind4677]

Gerry and Melo were babies at the time, but, were men on the court were it counted!

[@KingBeastBDE]

This was dope!! The tournament definitely put me on to Melo. Been my favorite player since. Still feel he should’ve won NBA ROY

[@lindajennings3482]

I wish Melo had come back. Naismith winner and back to back NCAAs.....would have been awesome!

[@mpwhitney88]

It will always be the Orangemen and the carrier dome to me

[@nancyhall9870]

Was there a real need to have Bernie Fine in the show?

[@strangebotwin-]

I was thinking the same thing. Shouldn’t have done

[@christopherrainey9694]

Jimmy B the GOAT💯🙏🏾 takes a real one to tell a kid to leave and go be great over him staying and helping ur personal legacy❤️

[@MrJackchap]

Awesome cuse team- best story in sports

[@Lebowski_Sports_Cards]

Go Orange!!!

[@MoeNeil]

10/10

[@shaq323]

LETS GOOO CUSE. Bring this back to todays team!!!

[@teamsaxors394]

My idol carmelo anthony⛹‍♂️🔥💪

[@gregdunston6308]

I’m here before 100k

[@mrdremiles]

I need that sweater and Hat

[@cambo__]

Legendary 🍊 💪

[@jbartosch8233]

If I were to rename the Documentary Title, for Coach, the players, the Team, the Fans. It wasn't a Miracle on Ice, it wasn't a DDay, It wasn't One Small Step, they had the Will no doubt... And like those 1980 hockey players, in their own way they were and are Champions. Much like 1959 and the Elmira Express... So maybe the title would be The Syracuse Dance.

[@t.j.abrams3769]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jdredman]

I was living in Amarillo, TX during this run. I was the only one at my job excited about every win. People looking at me like, "what's wrong with you?" When Warrick blocked the shot, I know everyone in my little apartment complex heard my jubilation. Sorry y'all!

[@tumbleweedconnection7906]

One error around 48:34 whoever that media guy was talking about Kansas said they were a #1 seed but if I remember correctly they were a 2 seed that year.

[@prorespluscom]

Correct

[@Mz.CeCeE.]

🔥#syracuseu03🏆🏀🎉 #carmeloanthony🐐👑🔥🥇🖤🙏🏾 #livinglegend #stayme7o #SpreadLove_theLoveofJesusNotHate❤️🙏🏾🌍

[@SmokinBlunts781]

🍊🍊🍊 Best video on KZbin 🍊🍊🍊

[@colinmcginn3315]

This 1 championship was cute

[@blillc4939]

Oh wow! SOCOM was my sh#*!!!

[@Bentray-Reed]

🍊

[@georgezalatan2280]

😮

[@WABBNMedia]

🍊🍊🍊

[@Zeekdafreak989]

Melo coulda stayed and got 2 or 3 more championships

[@yomommaahotoo264]

Where's that Oklahoma State game at on YT?