Syracuse played like a top-ten team should play Wednesday night, dismantling Providence College, 84-59.
"We had real good patience on offense," head coach Jim Boeheim said. "That first half, you really couldn't play better basketball than that."
Four players scored double-digit points for the No. 8 Orange (22-4, 10-3 Big East), including two double-double performances by CJ Fair [14] and Michael Carter-Williams [15] in what was at one point a 30-point lead.
Fair had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Carter-Williams finished with 15 points and 12 assists, his first double-double since Jan. 2 against Rutgers.
“I just have to stay patient; with my teammates, with coach, and with myself,” Carter-Williams said “I just need to be a leader out there and guide my team.”
James Southerland [16] added 20 points and six boards off the bench as Syracuse dominated in their 38th straight victory at the Carrier Dome.
The first half was all Orange, as Syracuse went on a 31-4 run and held a 43-16 lead going into halftime. But once the second half began, the Firars (14-12, 6-8 Big East) were able to string together some points, outscoring the Orange 43-41. Syracuse held Big East scoring leader Bryce Cotton [17] to just two points in the first half, and 10 points overall.
“It was a very good offensive first half,” Boeheim said. “While the second half was just kind of treading water.”
Carter-Williams' partner at the guard position, Triche, had just under his average with 14 points and was impressed with the team's play.
“It felt like non-conference play,” senior guard Brandon Triche [18] said. “Everything worked.”
Jerami Grant [19] recorded five rebounds and three assists, in what has been an ever-changing role. He’s seen added playing time first with six game absence of Southerland because of academic ineligibility and then with DaJuan Coleman [20]'s injury.
“It's been different than I thought it would be,” he said. “But it's fine. As long as we get the win, and we've been winning.”
Trevor Cooney [21] played 15 minutes and scored just four points, but showed a different element to his game, by driving aggressively to the hoop.
“He (Boeheim) believes I can make plays off the dribble, it's just a matter of getting confidence in myself, which is starting to come together for me now,” Cooney said. “If I can do that, I can get in the rhythm and hit threes.”
The dominating victory could not have come at a better time, as Syracuse takes on Georgetown Saturday in front of a record-breaking Dome crowd. The Hoyas are playing as good of basketball as anyone in the country, Boeheim said.
After a win like the one tonight, Syracuse is confident going up against Georgetown.
“Finally, we're back to playing Syracuse basketball,” Carter-Williams said.
