Steve Novak wore a Syracuse Orange sweatsuit on the flight to Miami on Monday. It was part of Carmelo Anthony’s serious sports-betting roll with his alma-mater Syracuse, which has made the Final Four and faces Michigan tomorrow in Atlanta.
It is the first time the Orange are in the Final Four since Melo led the school to its only NCAA title, in 2003. Along the way, Anthony’s ’Cuse took out Jason Kidd’s California Bears and Mike Woodson’s Indiana Hoosiers.
After losing his bet with Anthony in the Elite Eight battle between Syracuse and Indiana, Woodson was forced to hold an orange at the morning shootaround last week in Tarrytown. Anthony’s run of luck started with his hometown Baltimore Ravens winning the Super Bowl over the 49ers — Tyson Chandler’s team. Chandler had to wear a purple Ravens hat during a postgame interview the day after.
“I’m going down the line. I’m going down the line,’’ said Anthony, whose 40-point performance in Atlanta on Wednesday was viewed live by Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and some Orange team members.
Syracuse could meet Louisville in the Finals. Chris Smith, who is rehabbing with the Knicks since tearing his patella tendon during training camp and getting cut, is J.R.’s Smith younger brother. Chris played at Louisville.
“J.R. is rooting for Louisville and he didn’t even go to school,’’ Anthony said. “So he’s next.’’