Add 28 minutes of Billy Edelin, mix and let Josh Pace sit.

Such was the recipe for the Syracuse men’s basketball team Wednesday night. A recipe for success, it turned out, as the Orangemen topped Seton Hall, 83-65.

Well, team success anyway. For Pace, it meant 16 minutes sliced from his usual playing time. A formula is still undecided for Sunday afternoon, when Syracuse (12-2, 3-1 Big East) faces Miami (8-7, 1-3) at 1 in Miami’s Convocation Center.

“It’s difficult to play that extra guy in some of these games,” Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. “Each game is going to be different. Josh is going to have to keep himself ready to play. When he gets in there, he’ll have to make the most of it.”

On Wednesday, Pace, a sophomore guard, hardly had a chance. He played three minutes and missed his only two shots. He averages about 19 minutes and 4.6 points.

Last season, and to an extent earlier this season, Pace’s contribution to team chemistry was an electric shock from the bench. Though he never started, Pace averaged 4.3 points in 12 minutes last year.

After putting on muscle and retooling his shot during the summer, Pace seemed primed to thrive in a similar role this season. But that may be impossible if Edelin, who returned from a suspension last weekend, plays well and sucks up minutes.

“I’m not worried about it,” Pace said following the Seton Hall game. “I would say (it’s more difficult to thrive off the bench). But it’s just this game I didn’t get to play as much. Maybe next game I will.”

That may depend on what Edelin does Sunday. Against the Pirates, Edelin looked markedly better than in his debut at Pittsburgh, totaling 11 points, four rebounds and six assists.

If Edelin continues to improve, and logic dictates he will, he’ll play even more. That could mean more minute cutbacks for Pace, as well as less time for Kueth Duany, who’s struggled lately.

Last season, Duany averaged 12 points in 31 minutes. Though he helped save the Orangemen last time they played the Pirates, Duany managed just 2-of-6 shooting for 10 points Wednesday.

“You have to accept that role,” Duany said. “(Edelin coming back) just makes us better. Tonight, some guys didn’t get as much time as they deserve, like Josh Pace. But the next game Josh may come in, play 25 minutes and be that booster off the bench.”

On Sunday, it’s more likely that Syracuse will look for a boost from Gerry McNamara, who’s shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range.

He could thrive against a Hurricane team that’s ranked second-to-last in the Big East in 3-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot threes at a 37-percent clip. McNamara will again shift to his natural shooting-guard position when Edelin comes off the bench.

“I know Billy by reputation,” Miami head coach Perry Clark said. “I know he’s a tremendous talent. It just adds another dimension to the Syracuse team. And I thought they were a very good team to begin with.”

The Hurricanes counter with forward Darius Rice, who’s fresh off a 43-point performance in Miami’s 77-76 home win over Connecticut on Monday. With 0.5 seconds left, Rice stole an inbounds pass and lofted a 3-pointer to capture the win.

Rice and fellow forward James Jones combine to average 36.7 points.

“They’ve beaten a few good teams, and they got Florida into overtime,” Boeheim said of the Hurricanes, who are 7-0 at home. “I don’t really look at the records. I look at the team. They’ve played really well at home, and that’s where we’ve got them.”

Published on January 22, 2003 at 12:00 pm