Fred Imbert with the recap of No. 5 Syracuse University's [6] season opener victory against Fordham [7], 78-53.
Syracuse’s zone, which can be susceptible to the long ball, was particularly effective against Fordham. The Rams made only 4-19 three-pointers.
Brandon Triche [8]struggled from the field, shooting only 3-10, but he still hit the glass hard. Triche led the team with 7 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards, in only 16 minutes.
Sophomore Dion Waiters [9] was in Jim Boeheim’s [10] doghouse last season thanks in part to his poor decision-making and quick trigger. In the opener though, Waiters was efficient from the field, 6-9, and had zero turnovers.
The Orange’s length was intimidating inside. Syracuse blocked seven shots, led by Fab Melo [11], who totaled four rejections.
Much has been discussed of Syracuse’s depth this season. Versus Fordham, 10 players logged at least nine minutes.
Syracuse shot 47 percent from the field, 30-64. There doesn’t seem to be much dust on the cobwebs heading into the season.
The Orange host Manhattan [12]Monday in the Carrier Dome at 7 p.m. The Jaspers took the Orange to overtime the last time they visited the Dome, 2005, but could not pull off the upset, losing 87-82. Watch out for junior guard George Beamon [13]. He scored 15 points and recorded 10 rebounds in the team's season opener against the New Jersey Institute of Technology [14].
