Official Syracuse men’s basketball practices begin Saturday, and unofficially, players might miss their preseason routine.

And why not? Most days, the Orangemen finish their workouts with a one-hour scrimmage that combines all the elements of a driveway game – lax defense, flashy moves and occasionally a good-natured argument about a foul or score.

Coaches are prohibited from attending these scrimmages, so players are on their own to establish rules and teams. Sometimes they even try to establish themselves.

Freshman Carmelo Anthony, for example, is already known for his strong inside-outside game – and an affinity for taking his top off more often than a convertible driver in the summer. Likewise, Gerry McNamara has developed a reputation as SU’s best outside shooter.

‘We really have gelled through these practices,’ McNamara said. ‘When you have a group of selfish guys, things don’t always work out and people get upset. But here, everyone’s so unselfish.’

No player would contend with McNamara’s notion at this point, but then again, this year’s Orangemen have no experience outside intrasquad games. In a typical five-on-five scrimmage, players divide quickly to create the best individual matchups.

On Monday, Josh Pace and Kueth Duany – two players with similarities in size and quickness – squared off for every rebound and every step of space. As the game came down to a final point, Duany even challenged walk-on Ronneil Herron about an out-of-bounds call.

‘We always have good matchups, and sometimes things can get going,’ Pace said. ‘But it just shows that we’re going to have a good team this year.’

Said Duany: ‘Things like this build the team. Sometimes things can get tough or people can get tired, and that’s when you have to bring people together.’

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McNeil mourns loss

Syracuse center Jeremy McNeil’s mother, Zohnnie, died last weekend at age 43.

McNeil returned to his San Antonio home to be with the rest of his family and take part in the funeral that’s scheduled for Friday. At least one teammate, Duany, and assistants Troy Weaver and Bernie Fine, will join head coach Jim Boeheim to accompany McNeil at the funeral.

‘It’s very difficult for Jeremy,’ Boeheim said. ‘[His mother] was a young lady, and that would be a shocking thing for anybody. Especially with Jeremy being in a single-parent home, he’s gone through a lot. It’s devastating.’

Zohnnie is survived by her three children and her mother.

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Trivia question

This season, one Syracuse player will be the first in SU history to wear a particular uniform number. Name the player and the number.

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Changing the Pace

Through several weeks of unofficial practices and scrimmages, Pace, a sophomore, continues to struggle with his outside shooting. The 6-foot-6 guard is working to rid himself of a hitch in his shot – a disruptive habit that he developed as a high school senior.

On many shots, Pace makes a quick jerk with his arms, almost as if he is doing a push-up. Coaches say Pace can shoot successfully with that flaw, but they’d rather see him lose it.

‘We’re going to keep working with him. That’s all I am going to say,’ Boeheim said. ‘He still needs a little more work.’

Last year, Pace shot nearly 50 percent from the field, but he converted on just one of 10 three-pointers.

‘Before I developed that hitch I was shooting good,’ Pace said, ‘and then it just became a habit.’

Pace believes he is a capable shooter, and that his reputation as a liability from long-distance comes mostly from not shooting enough. Averaging a shade above 12 minutes of playing time last season, Pace made a trademark of rarely shooting, instead converting loose rebounds into follow-up points.

That ability for proper positioning will earn him time on the floor this season, Weaver said, even if the shooting takes time to come around.

‘He has a knack for the ball,’ Weaver said. ‘He’s always where he should be, almost like a linebacker. If there’s a loose ball, he’s always around to pick up the garbage and the loose change.’

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This and that

Both McNamara and Andrew Kouwe have missed practice the last two days with groin injuries. … Terrence Roberts, the high school power forward who SU targets as this year’s final recruit, will take his official visit to Maryland this weekend. His stay with the defending national champions coincides with the Terps’ Midnight Madness event. … According to recruiting expert Dave Telep, Maryland recently got a commitment from 6-foot-10, 270-pound big man Hassan Fofana – a signing which may decrease the Terrapins’ desire for Roberts. … Former Orangeman and current Philadelphia 76er Damone Brown may not be a Sixer for much longer. Philadelphia head coach Larry Brown told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Brown’s still too small to play power forward. ‘He’s the greatest example of why some kids are better off playing in the developmental league or the CBA,’ Brown said. ‘It’s going to be an uphill battle for him.’

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Trivia answer

Tyrone Albright, a walk-on and transfer from Onondaga Community College, will wear No. 2.

Published on October 8, 2002 at 12:00 pm