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COACHING
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It was always going to be a challenge to replace the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft and two proven, battle-tested seniors. But Boeheim and Co. have done it so far in 2012-13, leading the Orange to another top10 ranking and a spot in the elite tier of the conference. Lately, though, the team’s play has dipped, with three straight wins by 11 or fewer points. The staff needs to find more offensive consistency beyond the fast break to avoid an unexpected loss or two.
MIDSEASON
REPORT CARD
Ryan MacCammon | Staff Photographer
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS Without Scoop Jardine and Dion Waiters, Carter-Williams has filled in beautifully. He’s brought a unique blend of passing and individual athleticism that seems to make him almost un-guardable. At the midway point of the season, he is averaging 11.9 points per game and 9.4 assists per game — the latter is quite staggering. He needs to improve his jump shot in order for teams to guard him beyond the 3-point line, but other than that he’s been more than solid. Most draft experts already have him as a lottery pick after this season.
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Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer
Roughly midway through its season, Syracuse is 16-1 and has suffered plenty of ups and downs along the way.
BRANDON TRICHE
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Ryan MacCammon | Staff Photographer
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Of all of Syracuse’s starters, the most dependable was Triche going into this season. As a four-year starter, he’s easily the most experienced player for the Orange. Head coach Jim Boeheim believes he has the ability to be great in every game, it’s just a matter of making sure Triche believes that, too. He’s had some huge performances, like a 25-point game against Rutgers in which he drained five 3-pointers. He’s struggled in others, like his 2-for-10 performance at Providence, but still came up with five assists. While he’s been up and down from the field, he’s still been reliable.
he Orange has struggled from the free-throw line, been hot and cold from the field and now the indefinite
C.J. FAIR
ineligibility of James Southerland has created a new wrinkle in the Orange’s season. But Michael Carter-Williams has become one of the best point guards in the nation, Brandon Triche has been a steady leader. With Syracuse near the halfway point of its season as it prepares to hit the toughest part of its schedule, The Daily Orange evaluates the Orange so far.
COMPILED BY THE DAILY ORANGE SPORTS STAFF
Fair has proven to be the most consistent player on the floor for Syracuse. He’s averaging 13.8 points and seven rebounds per game for the Orange. Fair has scored in double digits in the last seven games, including a dominant 25-point performance that essentially went to waste in Syracuse’s loss to Temple on Dec. 22. He has shown the ability to take control of the game when the Orange needs him, like he did against Villanova Saturday when he scored 11 of Syracuse’s first 13 points of the second half. Plus, he shoots 80.8 percent from the free-throw line. In his junior season, Fair has been an active defender and has given Syracuse a reliable scorer who can strike from multiple spots on the floor.
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C.J. Fair has been a consistent scorer and
Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer