ORANGE 'PASS' ANOTHER TEST ON WAY TO 10-0 START

Syracuse improved to 10-0, their best start in 10 years, as the Orange Turns Up the Pressure Against St. Francis (Syracuse Post-Standard) in a 75-51 win.

Coming off the big win over Florida on Thursday to close the 2009 SEC/Big East Invitational, Jim Boeheim expected a little dip in defensive intensity as SU Battles Letdown Before Victory (Watertown Daily Times) on Sunday. A few defensive breakdowns gave coach Boeheim teaching moments before the Orange iced this game away.

Arinze Onuaku led the Orange with 14 points and Wesley Johnson added 12 points and 9 rebounds as Syracuse used their decided size advantage to dominate St. Francis. The Orange shot 54% from the field while limiting the visitors to 29% and forcing 17 turnovers.

From my Carrier Dome vantage point on Sunday the aspect of this SU team that stuck out to me was their passing (24 assists on 29 made baskets Sunday). Not only the skill of being one of the better passing teams I have seen in a while, but the unselfish mindset that this team has. The veteran presence of 5th year seniors Arinze Onuaku and Andy Rautins along with 4th year junior Wesley Johnson shows this is a team that 'gets it' and they understand their roles. Brandon Triche and 'Scoop' Jardine fit the personnel perfectly while running the show. This is also a very BIG Orange line-up, able to fill the backline of the 2-3 zone more impressively than any SU team in recent memory going back to the national championship team with Hakim Warrick and Carmelo Anthony on the blocks. They might be a little thin at guard and not the best three-point shooting team outside of Rautins, but with Kris Joseph and Mookie Jones finding roles off the bench and playing to their role, this team has it going on!

The Carrier Dome should be a very fun place this winter!!