Ithaca is Gorges, Fab Melo is Mildly Attractive

Yes, Syracuse Basketball finally got an easy one on Tuesday against Cornell, dominating the first half and cruising through the second to take the game 78-58. Rick Jackson led the way (as usual) with 17 and 13, his sixth double-double in seven games. Kris Joseph put up his third straight quality game, with 16 points including 2-4 from beyond the arc. That early season 14% is inching up to respectability. But the story from Tuesday's game is not Joseph and Jackson, its the balanced offensive attack and contributions from unexpected sources.

Fab Melo absolutely shocked the Dome, contributing 8 points, 7 boards and 4 blocks. He made mistakes and looked a step behind at times, but it was a huge, huge improvement over the first six games. Further surprises include Dion Waiters and Brandon Triche, who may be responding to some healthy competition for playing time. Waiters is earning more and more, with 11 points (3-4 from 3) and 4 assists. In addition, his active defense on the perimeter continues to impress. Triche struggled early but made some plays in the second half to turn in a respectable game. Is he feeling the heat?

It was a nice, easy win for the Orangemen. Maybe a little too easy. Cornell shot only 33% for the game, a product of good defense no doubt, but they missed many open looks. The Big Red handed the Cuse this one on a silver platter. Hey, at least we accepted their offering with alley-oops and thunderous dunks. Oh, and if you've got a link to C.J. Fair absolute posterization midway through the second half, leave it in the comments. Dunk of the year, baby!

UPDATE: the dunk in question, below

Ithaca is Gorges, Fab Melo is Not; Part 1

Tonight, the Syracuse Orangemen take on the Cornell Big Red at le Dome. While Cornell hasn't beaten the Orangemen since 1968, this annual tradition has been a rocky road for the Cuse for the last decade or so. Cornell has put together some good teams, even reaching the Sweet 16 last year, but they've suffered serious attrition in talent and leadership in 2010.

I'm tempted to say this year would be different, and Syracuse would blow out the "rivals" from Ithaca that have lost to the likes of St. Bonaventure (at home), Lehigh and Boston University, but I'd be lying to myself if I thought anything would come easily to this team.

In last year's contest against Cornell Brandon Triche scored 21 points. A sequel to that scoring performance is light years from from the realm of possibility based on what we've seen (or haven't seen) from Triche so far. What has happened to Brandon? He obviously doesn't have the same supporting cast, but its not like he's being relied on the score every time up the floor. Hell, its not ever points I'm after! Any kind of contribution would be out of character for Triche so far this season.

This is what I'm wondering:

• Will Triche finally show up?
• Can Kris Joseph keep his streak of back-to-back good performances alive?
• Can we please get an easy one?
  

Check back after the game for the Cuse Connection's post game thoughts and answers to these questions.