Ten Deep

Late in the first half of yesterday’s blowout win over Depaul, the Orange had only bench players on the floor. Mookie and Waiters at the top of the zone, Fab Melo in the center, and Southerland and C.J. Fair playing the wings. And the best part was that by half-time, all of them, along with all five starters, had scored. Now I know Depaul is the only truly bad team in the conference, and that the Cuse had an easier time of it yesterday than in almost any other game this year. Still, it was encouraging to see so many guys contributing.

Fab Melo bounced back from his meltdown of a couple weeks ago, and scored a career high ten points. Actually ten points was more than I think I’ve seen him score in all the other home games I have attended this year, combined. Not only that, he grabbed a few rebounds, and came up with a steal and a block. He still managed to commit four fouls in 15 minutes, but I have to admit, he showed some decent low post moves. Good footwork.

Because Depaul chose not to play defense, the Orange shot over seventy percent from the field. Seven for nine from beyond he arc. They were hot. They missed only one free throw all afternoon. And the zone generated a number of turnovers that led to easy baskets. So that’s a good formula for a win – solid shooting from the outside, plus fast break points. Rick Jackson was good for 14 in the paint; some of those came off extra passes. It seemed like the team was trying to give him a great sendoff , it being his last game in the Dome and all. He got a great ovation wen he was introduced before the game, and once again when Coach took him out with a few minutes to go. It was a nice touch. He’d been on the bench for several minutes, and the game was out of reach. But with about four minutes to go, Boeheim put Jackson back on the floor, so that he could take him out and let the fans show their appreciation.

And speaking of last games in the Dome, it was my last game in the seats. Section 108, Row K, Seats 110 and 111. My dad, my uncle Joe, and I have been there for thirty one years, by my count. But no more. It was a nice way to go out – a blowout win, the most points of any game this season, in fact, the biggest margin of victory in Big East history.

So the regular season has ended with twenty-five wins; with the Orange ranked number 12 in the polls; with a double bye for the Big East Tournament and another day of rest before the post-season; and with Joe Lunardi picking them right now as a three seed. I think they keep that three if they win their first game in the Garden, and fall no further than four if they lose. But to play deep into March, they’ll need that combination they showed yesterday – defensive intensity in the zone, and good outside shooting. Go Orange.