CJ Fair

October 19, 2013 - 11:57am
The energy of SU basketball began Friday night, and some saw what Syracuse basketball is like for the first time.

Throughout our daily routines, we rarely stop to think about the energy that surrounds us – the energy it takes to turn on the lights, the energy that goes into the production of our food or the energy used to heat our showers.

However, as I stood in the student section of the Carrier Dome last night for my freshman introduction to the long-awaited basketball season, energy was all I could think about. Never before had I been in a place where so much enthusiasm and excitement was packed into one building.

Never before had I experienced anything quite like Orange Madness.

October 18, 2013 - 11:27pm
The two squads displayed what each respective team will look like the annual Orange Madness. The event officially kicks off the start of the college basketball season.

The glitz and glamour of Orange Madness kicked off the start of the basketball season for both the men and women’s basketball team. The one night spectacle was held in front of a Syracuse crowd that got its first taste of what the 2013-2014 season may look like for both squads.

April 24, 2013 - 4:32pm
Fair announces he will return for his senior year instead of declaring for the NBA draft.

It looks like the Syracuse basketball team won’t be losing a fourth starter to graduation and the NBA. CJ Fair decided Wednesday to stay for his senior year at Syracuse, according to SU Athletics.

“After talking it over with my family and my coaches, I decided another year at Syracuse was best for me,” said Fair. “I'm excited about working hard with my teammates to put together another great season and graduating has also been a goal of mine.”

April 3, 2013 - 5:03pm
After running through the East region, the fourth-seeded Orange face the Michigan Wolverines, who won the South region.

It’s been 10 long years since the Orange played for a spot in the championship game. But this week, Syracuse heads to Atlanta for the Final Four. In a season featuring a suspended star player, a late season swoon and a Big East tournament thrill, the Orange is ready to take on the Michigan Wolverines.

“Every time you get there its special, but there’s nothing like the first time,” head coach Jim Boeheim said.

March 22, 2013 - 10:21pm
Two similar teams face off in the third round of the NCAA tournament.

The Syracuse Orange will take on a tough opponent in the California Golden Bears in the third round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, after being handed a 48-point victory over the Montana Grizzlies Thursday night.

The Bears (20-11, 12-6 Pacific 12) have a very similar team to the Orange. California is similarly sized, has similar records, employs a successful zone defense and has an almost identical shooting percentage. Syracuse shoots slightly better from beyond the arc, but Cal shoots marginally better from the charity stripe.

March 17, 2013 - 1:02am
In the final Big East tournament for No. 19 Syracuse, the Orange could not hold on to a halftime lead, eventually falling to the No. 4 Cardinals, 78-61.

The No. 4 Lousiville Cardinals (29-5) won the Big East Championship for the second straight year and third since 2009. This time, it was a 78-61 victory over No. 19 Syracuse. The Orange (26-9) came out swinging in the first half, coasting to a 35-22 lead at halftime. However, the second half was all Louisville, who outscored the Orange 56-26, including a 44-10 run.

“I thought that they were the best team in the league from the beginning of the year,” head coach Jim Boeheim said. “They proved that today.”

March 15, 2013 - 11:40pm
No. 19 Syracuse finally won against No. 5 Georgetown this season, thanks to the unexpected help of Baye Moussa Keita and Trevor Cooney.

Third time’s the charm. At least as far as No. 19 Syracuse was concerned.

March 14, 2013 - 6:42pm
On the heels of a 20-point performance against Seton Hall, James Southerland scored another 20 in a 62-59 victory over No. 17 Pittsburgh

After beating Seton Hall just a day earlier, it was unclear how No. 19 Syracuse (25-8) would fare against the extremely physical No. 17 Pittsburgh Panthers. The last time the two teams met, the Orange was without James Southerland, leading to an Orange loss. But Southerland’s presence played a major role in Thursday afternoon's 62-59 victory.

March 13, 2013 - 6:20pm
Despite a horrid first half, the Orange rallied to beat Seton Hall, 75-63, and move on to play Pittsburgh.

After an incredibly slow start, Syracuse pulled out the victory over Seton Hall in the second round of the final Big East tournament.

The No. 19 Orange (24-8) won 75-63, but were down by as many as 10 in the first half, before mounting a comeback to tie the game up at halftime. The tie allowed for a reset for the second half, which turned out to be all Syracuse.

March 12, 2013 - 9:24pm
In the Orange's final tournament as a member of the Big East conference, Syracuse looks to end its recent woes.

When the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team takes the court at Madison Square Garden this Wednesday, they will begin their final Big East tournament. After this season, the Orange will call the Atlantic Coast Conference home, and play their conference championship at the Greensboro Coliseum.