Back in home state, Eric Devendorf relishing role as behind-the-scenes mentor

Detroit -- About a decade ago, when he was a college basketball lighting rod and one of the leading scorers for the Syracuse men's basketball team, a return to his home state from Eric Devendorf might have constituted quite an event in downtown Detroit.

But when 11th-seeded Syracuse faces No. 6 Texas Christian on Friday night, Devendorf figures he'll have a few supporters in the crowd at Little Caesars Arena, a symbol of his transition from headliner to supporting cast.

"Just my mom, my sister and my niece," Devendorf said. "I've had people contact me for tickets but you don't get an unlimited number, you know? So I keep it to the family."

Now in his second year as an assistant strength coach…