NEW YORK CITY- Just two years ago, Syracuse and Memphis met up in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Back then, it was just a one-game affair. The Tigers defeated SU, 70-63, and of course the Orange went on to win the national title later that season.

When Syracuse and Memphis meet again tonight, Syracuse will hope half of 2002’s eventual outcome holds true. This time, though, the Orange also hopes to come away with a victory and a Coaches vs. Cancer title.

No. 5 Syracuse and No. 24 Memphis square off at approximately 9 p.m., 20 minutes after the conclusion of the consolation game between No. 12 Mississippi State and Saint Mary’s.

‘This is a stronger team (than in 2002),’ Memphis head coach John Calipari said. ‘But let me say this. (Syracuse) is stronger, too.’

Not only does tonight’s game offer the Orange a chance at revenge, it also gives Syracuse a chance to complete the goals head coach Jim Boeheim laid out for Syracuse at the beginning of the tournament.

Obviously, he wanted to win. But more importantly, he hoped to give his team four quality games to start the season. While Syracuse’s 101-54 win over Northern Colorado proved laughable, SU’s other two games have been far more competitive.

After showing a sputtering offense in a 56-45 victory over Princeton last Friday, SU’s offense again got off to a slow start in last night’s 71-58 win over Mississippi State. Fortunately for the Orange, its offensive attack woke up, giving SU a chance to face its second Top 25 opponent in as many days.

‘I picked (Memphis) very high this year to be a top 10 team,’ Boeheim said. ‘They were picked in most places to be top 20, but I think they are better than that. It’s going to be a great test tomorrow.’

Boeheim is typically criticized in the media for his failure to schedule top early season opponents. But along with the Bulldogs and Tigers, SU also plays No. 7 Oklahoma State on Dec. 7. With a more veteran team, Boeheim thinks the Orange is ready to face top opponents early on.

‘We’ve been in two battles,’ Boeheim said. ‘It’s uncharacteristic for what I like to do early in the season.’

While most of Syracuse struggled in the first half, one player didn’t.

Josh Pace scored eight points in the first half – 12 points and seven rebounds for the game – and helped fuel an important comeback before the end of the half.

The Orange trailed by as many as eight, but Pace helped Syracuse make a late 12-4 run to close the half. Pace knocked in two of the final three Syracuse baskets, including a floater in the lane as the half expired.

‘Josh knows how to get in the lane and make plays,’ Boeheim said. ‘He puts numbers up.’

In the second half, Pace helped Syracuse by manning the point on many offensive possessions and playing stellar defense.

Pace forced back-to-back steals on Mississippi State possessions in the midst of a 19-7 Syracuse run.

‘He’s a guy that we need,’ SU sophomore guard Louie McCroskey said. ‘He’s a very versatile player. He scraps and plays good defense. He’s also one of our best scorers, too. We needed Josh and he stepped up.’

Thursday’s 71-58 victory over Mississippi State also temporarily put an end to Syracuse’s problems in Madison Square Garden. Coming in, SU had won just three of its last nine games in one of the world’s most famous venues.

The Orange picked a good time to play well in New York City. Syracuse plays at least three more times at Madison Square Garden this season, including tonight against Memphis. SU returns Dec. 7 for the Jimmy V Classic against Oklahoma State and Jan. 5 against St. John’s.

Assuming the Orange reaches the Big East tournament, it will have to return a fourth time.

Said Pace: ‘Just being here and playing here is great experience for later in the year when you know you’ve got to play here again.’

Published on November 18, 2004 at 12:00 pm