Rakeem Christmas

A Christmas to remember: SU big man has career night in win over Wake Forest
By Tyler Piccotti
January 14, 2015 - 5:43pm
The senior poured in a career-high 35 points as the Orange continued its hot start in conference play.

With freshman forward Chris McCullough now sidelined for the rest of the season, Syracuse will need to move forward without half of its potent one-two punch inside the paint. 

But on Tuesday night against Wake Forest, the other half proved he’s capable of delivering knockout blows all by himself. 

Orange begins ACC play with momentum... and lingering questions
By Tyler Piccotti
January 2, 2015 - 12:01pm
Without a signature win to its credit, SU is hoping for a strong push during conference play to bolster its tournament chances.

Since the Orange’s opening victory against Kennesaw State on Nov. 14, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim has repeatedly said his team has the potential and talent to win any game. All it needed was time, both for key underclassmen to find an offensive flow and the team’s confidence to return to a level not seen since last season’s 25-game winning streak. 

But as the Orange’s second slate of Atlantic Coast Conference games began Saturday at Virginia Tech, that time officially ran out. 

Syracuse basketball: Cooney's big night lifts Orange to nail-biting victory
By Josh Carney
December 17, 2014 - 2:43am
The guard's best shooting performance of the season helped set up a dramatic last-second win.

Trevor Cooney and Tyler Roberson couldn’t have picked a better time to have their best games of the season.

As senior center Rakeem Christmas and freshman forward Chris McCullough struggled to stay out of foul trouble against Louisiana Tech, the much-maligned Cooney and Roberson sparked Syracuse (6-3) to a 71-69 win over the visiting Bulldogs that ended the Orange’s two-game non-conference losing streak.

Men's basketball: Orange dominates paint again in win over Holy Cross
By Gabriella Kreuz
December 1, 2014 - 1:12pm
Rakeem Christmas and Chris McCullough shine as perimeter shooting continues to fail SU.

Syracuse stormed to a post-Thanksgiving win Friday night, defeating Holy Cross, 72-48, in front of 19,167 fans at the Carrier Dome. Senior Rakeem Christmas and his younger counterpart, freshman Chris McCullough, collectively scored 39 points. 

As has been the case so far in 2014, the Orange struggled from the perimeter and did much of its damage (42 points) in the paint. 

Men's basketball: Orange defense stifles Loyola in easy victory
By Gabriella Kreuz
November 26, 2014 - 1:32pm
SU dominates in the paint en route to its best defensive performance in almost two years.

Syracuse pulled away to its fourth win of the season Tuesday night, defeating Loyola (Maryland), 70-37, at the Carrier Dome.

Although the 47-point victory might suggest the Orange’s offensive struggles are in the rearview mirror, head coach Jim Boeheim said that’s far from the truth.

"I thought our defense was good. That's it," Boeheim said. "Obviously, we have a long way to go on offense." 

Men's basketball: Orange staves off pesky Iowa in 2K Classic
By Jessica Eley
November 22, 2014 - 5:46pm
A late defensive stand helps SU rebound from loss to California.

The athleticism and scoring ability of lanky 6-foot-9-inch freshman Chris McCullough late in the second half gave Syracuse the extra push it needed to outlast the Iowa Hawkeyes, 66-63, on Friday at the 2K Classic at Madison Square Garden. 

McCullough and senior Rakeem Christmas led the team with 20 and 18 points, respectively. 

“At the end of the game, Chris made a great steal,” SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. “He just made a great play. That was the game...if he didn’t come across and get that one, then we don’t win.” 

Men's basketball: Orange overcomes tough Hampton zone to win second game of season
By Julia Morris
November 17, 2014 - 2:04am
Strong performance in paint sparks the SU offense in easy victory.

Syracuse forward Michael Gbinije drained a jumper and drew a foul with only two seconds left on the shot clock late in the second half to give the No. 23 Orange a 13-point lead over the Hampton Pirates. 

The 22,848 fans at the Carrier Dome erupted, but it was one of the few times during Sunday’s game they were able to do so. 

Men's basketball: Syracuse defense stymies Kennesaw State in opening victory
By Matthew Alexander
November 16, 2014 - 2:02am
An explosive fast-break attack helps the Orange overcome another slow shooting performance.

When the shots simply weren’t falling, No. 23 Syracuse turned to its signature 2-3 zone for the spark it needed in a 89-42 thumping of Kennesaw State Friday night at the Carrier Dome. 

With only four buckets in 18 attempts from the field, SU struggled to get its wheels turning in the first 10 minutes, allowing the Owls to stick around early.

But as turnover followed turnover, a stout Orange defense paved the way for numerous fast-break opportunities that, before long, built a huge lead and got the offense humming on all cylinders. 

Orange Madness kicks off Syracuse basketball season
By Julia Morris
October 18, 2014 - 3:25pm
The event featured scrimmages by both SU squads, along with a Legends Game, dunk contest, three-point contest and "selfie stations."

While Syracuse’s annual Orange Madness celebration didn’t feature Drake warming up on the court, there was certainly a lot of excitement at the Carrier Dome on Friday night. 

Men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim came out for introductions in a Humvee. Former Syracuse forward John Wallace proved that, even at 40 years old, he can still throw down a dunk. And 10-year-old Nicholas Trivelpiece made a shot in the final seconds of the men’s scrimmage game.   

Early exit: Syracuse falls to Dayton in third round of NCAA tournament
By Tyler Greenawalt
March 22, 2014 - 11:33pm
The Orange didn't make a three-pointer and only converted one shot outside the paint in a 55-53 loss to the Flyers.

BUFFALO-Tyler Ennis drove four straight times in the final two minutes of Syracuse loss to Dayton Saturday night. And four straight times, the freshman scored, bringing the Orange to within one point of the Flyers’ lead.

With 13 seconds left in the game and a 54-53 score on the board, head coach Jim Boeheim said he wanted to get the Ennis the ball so he could drive the ball to the basket. Instead, the freshman opted for the free throw jump shot.

He missed.