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RUNNING BACK Syracuse rediscovers transition game to reach top of Big East By Ryne Gery
A
STAFF WRITER
fter Syracuse’s loss to Villanova, Brandon Triche realized the transition game that powered so many decisive runs in nonconference victories had disappeared in Big East play. Nothing came easy in the Orange’s first eight games in the conference. The loss in Philadelphia followed by another in Pittsburgh hammered that point home for SU. But on Monday, the team returned to earlyseason form. A swarming defense and quick decision-making revived the fast break, a fact not lost on Triche after an impressive 16-point victory against Notre Dame. “I can’t remember the last time we got a fast-break point now that I think about it,” Triche said with a laugh. “I think we got one against Pittsburgh, that was an alley-oop, but other than that this was like one of our games from early in the season.”
“I can’t remember the last time we got a fastbreak point now that I think about it. I think we got one against Pittsburgh, that was an alley-oop, but other than that this was like one of our games from early in the season.” Brandon Triche
SU GUARD
No. 9 Syracuse (19-3, 7-2 Big East) will look to carry that performance into its matchup with St. John’s (15-8, 7-4) in the Carrier Dome at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Orange remains tied with Marquette for first place, but the conference race is muddled at this point. Ten of the conference’s 15 teams have at least five wins in Big East play, adding significance to every matchup as they fight to build their postseason resumes. Syracuse learned that lesson after falling to the Wildcats and Panthers in consecutive games. “When you lose two in a row in this league, you get nervous,” SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. “Everybody does. This was a real good bounce-back win.” As Triche said, the win also marked the return of Syracuse’s fast break after the team combined for just seven points in transition in the two losses.
SEE ST. JOHN’S PAGE 10
sam maller | asst. photo editor BRANDON TRICHE has been a catalyst for Syracuse as it’s reverted back to a transition-oriented offense. Rebounding has been a crucial element of the Orange’s fast-paced offense as well. Syracuse is undefeated in contests in which it outrebounds its opponents.