WASHINGTON — Don’t let the rhetoric that has gone on between John Thompson Sr. and Jim Boeheim mislead you into believing the two don’t share a great fondness and respect for one another.
It was in this building just a few weeks ago that Georgetown drubbed the Orange, 61-39, in the last Big East regular-season game between the schools. In the postgame interview session, Thompson bellowed “Kiss Syracuse goodbye.’’
Thompson came to the Verizon Center Wednesday just in time to catch Syracuse take the court for its 50-minute shootaround. Thompson, with a huge smile, said to Boeheim, “Bleep you, Coach. Why are you still coaching?’’
Boeheim retorted, “Why are you here? Georgetown is not here. There are no Georgetown people here.’’
Thompson then explained his feelings for Boeheim and Syracuse.
“It bothered me more when Syracuse left than the rest of the schools leaving the Big East,’’ Thompson told The Post. “Because with a lot of the animosity and the competitiveness that you share, you also share a lot of affection.
“You have to have somebody that you can compete against so that you can create dislike for, a competitive dislike for them. That bothered me more than anything. You learn to appreciate and respect people as well as you learn to dislike and hate them competitively. It’s almost like a family, it was like your family was leaving.’’
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Indiana junior Victor Oladipo has played at the Verizon Center multiple times, having won the Washington city championship at DeMatha High School in Maryland, less than 7 miles from the arena. On the opposing bench, will be another familiar face — fellow DeMatha grad Jerami Grant, a freshman at Syracuse.
“That’s my little brother, even though he’s a little taller than me,’’ said Oladipo. “His big brother, Jerian Grant, is at Notre Dame and he’s been my best friend since freshman year of high school. I used to hang out at his house all the time. We’re family.”
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Miami senior center Reggie Johnson, who averages 6.7 points and a team-high seven rebounds per game, is not with the Hurricanes, having undergone minor knee surgery Tuesday. At 6-foot-10, 292 pounds, Johnson’s absence hurts Miami’s size advantage in the frontcourt.
“Not having him with us is a blow for us, psychologically and him being around us, because we love him and that’s our brother and we feel for him. But that’s motivation for us as well, to play our best basketball, so we can make it to Atlanta so he can be with us again,” Miami forward Julian Gamble said.
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Indiana senior guard Jordan Hulls, who has played more games than anyone in Hoosier history, injured his shooting shoulder in a collision with a Temple player in Sunday’s win. He played the second half with a harness for his right shoulder. Hulls said he wasn’t sure if he will wear it again tonight, but that his shoulder was feeling better and the harness wouldn’t impact his shot.
“Shoulder is good,’’ said Hulls. “Once it got loose, I was able to shoot well.’’
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Michael Carter-Williams’ house in Hamilton, Mass., was destroyed by fire during the Orange’s win over Cal last weekend. No one was hurt, but Carter-Williams and his family are reeling.
“It was tough. I wish I could’ve been there with my little brothers and sisters. We lost a lot of things we can never get back, but I’ve been calling them and making sure they’re alright. I’m doing as much as I can for them while focusing on the game.”
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Syracuse reserve forward Russ DeRemer made his parents proud yesterday when he set an unofficial team record by gobbling four bananas in less than a minute in the ’Cuse locker room. DeRemer’s mother, Darlene, is a member of the university’s Board of Trustees. His father, Russ, rowed for the Orange.
Syracuse swingman James Southerland of Queens was the unofficial winner of the Orange’s dunk contest during yesterday’s open practice. After botching his first attempt, Southerland tossed a ball off the backboard, caught it in midair, executed a perfect around-the-world move and threw down a monster dunk.