Orange freshman Fab Melo has a long way to go before he challenges Gerry McNamara's Big East run, but it was thrilling to see the SU freshman have a "breakout" game after spending the majority of the season riding that learning curve. Melo has struggled with giving up easy fouls all year long, and was even benched a few games by head coach Jim Boeheim after missing practice. But it was Boeheim himself today who claimed that he sensed Melo was in for a big game, 12 points and 4 rebounds in a 79-73 quarterfinal win at the Big East Tournament.
"We've had great practices because we had so many days off," says Boeheim, "and he's looked good and he had a good game against DePaul and he's been getting better and better. And he was the difference tonight without question, he and Brandon(Triche)."
Hopefully Melo can ride this momentum into tomorrow's Big east Semifinal against Connecticut.
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The bright lights of Madison Square Garden brought out the best in the Syracuse Orange.
SU knocked off St. John's Thursday night, 79-73, behind huge performances from its big men.
Fab Melo played 22 minutes and scored 12 points, while Rick Jackson lead the team with 38 minutes played. He had 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Brandon Triche lead the team in scoring with 22 points, including 8-8 from the free throw line.
Thursday's Quarterfinals win was SU's first game of the tournament after securing a double-bye. The Orange next plays UConn Friday at 7. The Huskies beat Pittsburgh on a last-second shot by Kemba Walker.
Check in later on for updates, and feel free to comment. We'll use your comments in tonight's newscasts. You can also follow John Evenson, Matt Mulcahy and Niko Tamurian on Twitter.
Game stats provided by ESPN.com.
