SAN JOSE—So much for being concerned about distractions. News of a continuing NCAA investigation into their basketball program clearly had no effect on the current Syracuse players as the fourth-seeded Orange whipped 13th-seeded Montana 81-34 last night in an East Region second-round game at the HP Pavilion.
The Orange flexed its Big East muscle — or is that ACC muscle? — early in the game, racing to a 20-4 lead before the Grizzlies, winners of the Big Sky Conference Tournament, knew what hit them. It was never really close after that. Syracuse will play Cal tomorrow with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16.
Coming off three wins in the Big East Tournament before losing the championship to Louisville, Syracuse (27-9) scored almost at will. Their size overpowered Montana (25-7) inside, while senior forward James Southerland and junior forward C.J. Fair found plenty of room for open jump shots. Michael Carter-Williams and Brandon Triche hardly broke a sweat. By halftime Syracuse led 38-15 and shifted into cruise control. Triche had 20 points to lead Syracuse, while also got 13 from Fair.
It was an impressive showing, considering all the fuss stirred on Wednesday when various media outlets reported the NCAA was conducting an on-going investigation in the school’s basketball program. No penalties are expected to be announced soon, if ever, though it’s logical the NCAA wouldn’t continue an investigation unless it believes a valid purpose exists. That will be for another day.
For now the Orange has to be happy with its performance last night. It was the equivalent of a one-sided sparring session. It also had to be especially satisfying considering what happened the last time they were a fourth seed playing the 13th seed. That was in 2005 when Syracuse was beaten 60-57 in overtime by Vermont. It was one of the more bitter loses in the school’s post-season history.
There was never any danger of an upset last night. Syracuse came out as if it intended to prove a point, shooting 56 percent from the field in the first half to just 20 percent for an overwhelmed Montana. It looked like the varsity playing the J.V., though the Grizzlies weren’t considered slouches. They had won their last six games while junior forward Kareem Jamar was the Big Sky’s most valuable player after averaging 14.5 points a game during the regular season. But Jamar had zero points in the first half last night, going 0-for-4 from the field.
Montana had no clue how to attack Syracuse’s zone defense and it couldn’t contain SU’s offense. With 15 minutes left, Syracuse was up 53-17.
Syracuse looks like a completely different team than the one that ended the regular season losing four of its last five games. But wins over Seton Hall, Pittsburgh and especially Georgetown has fueled Jim Boeheim’s team with renewed confidence.