On paper, #2 Syracuse defeated #19 Louisville by one point on the road. A solid win to be sure, but for those who follow this program closely know the win indicates so much more than just another quality win.
The Orange showed once again, that it overcome all sorts of obstacles thrown its way. Whether the other team is heating up on offense, or showing fantastic defense Syracuse, when at full strength, seems to be able to combat all hurdles thrown its way. This win was over Louisville, a team Syracuse hasn't beaten since Gerry McNamara was the point guard. A team that had beaten Syracuse 7 straight times, even prompting some to say and write that Rick Pitino had Jim Boeheim's number.
Boeheim showed tonight, that's not the case.
It wasn't the "usual" suspects in Kris Joseph or Scoop Jardine or Fab Melo leading the way, when things got tough and SU was losing late, it was C.J. Fair stepping to the plate tonight. Showing that this team flat out knows how to win, regardless of the situation. Fans and experts alike may say this win was ugly and they may be right, but the more accurate statistic is that Syracuse gained even more valuable experience heading into March, and shows it has another weapon when and if any of the other 9 players aren't playing to their potential.
Fair scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. He threw down a couple dunks and perhaps most importantly he scored the de facto game winning basket with 2 minutes remaining. Fab Melo continued to show how important he is inside with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The inside play of Fair and Melo offset a terrible outside shooting night for SU, where the Orange was 1-15 from three point land.
With the win, Syracuse is 26-1 and 13-1 in Big East play, they're next in action Sunday at Rutgers.
