‘We’ve all been touched by cancer,’ said Boeheim, who is the national chair of Coaches vs. Cancer and a survivor of prostate cancer. ‘People give in this community. They always have. In time of need, the people of Syracuse support everything.’

Boeheim’s efforts have helped to raise more than $5 million locally for cancer research. Last year’s Basket Ball Gala sold out and netted $350,000.

‘The people here have come out and supported this event,’ Boeheim said. ‘Without the people we wouldn’t have this event.’

During Saturday’s game against Notre Dame, Boeheim will be one of many college basketball coaches across the country wearing sneakers signaling his support of Coaches vs. Cancer.

‘Everything we do, we hope people enjoy it and have a good time,’ Boeheim said, ‘and realize that they’re donating money that’s going to help fight cancer.’

Boeheim also announced the winners of the 2004 Fans of the Year Award. Peggy and Jim Carrick, both cancers survivors, joined Boeheim at Tuesday’s announcement.

With Saturday’s game against Notre Dame approaching, Billy Edelin should be a bit more excited than the rest of his Syracuse teammates.

In four career games against the Fighting Irish, Edelin has averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 assists. This season, Edelin is averaging just 4.2 points.

On Jan. 10 at Notre Dame, Edelin scored just four points, but he contributed five assists and a career-high seven steals. The 6-foot-4 junior repeatedly snaked into the lane and found open teammates.

‘He’s had good games against them, but I don’t know exactly why,’ Boeheim said. ‘I hope it continues.’

One reason may be Edelin’s size. Unusually tall for a point guard, Edelin can easily back down smaller guards. The two primary players who will guard Edelin, Chris Thomas and Chris Quinn, measure 6 foot, 1 inch and 6 foot, 2 inches, respectively.

With Edelin’s size working to his advantage, he scored 26 points on 13-for-20 shooting against the Irish on March 4, 2003, good for the second-best total of his career.

‘His size gives Notre Dame trouble defensively,’ junior guard Gerry McNamara said. ‘He backs smaller people down well.’

For the first time since the middle of December, Syracuse is enjoying a full week off between games. A heavy schedule early in the season provided the Orange a chance to rest.

While the players are excited about the time off, it comes at an awkward time, following SU’s 76-69 loss to Pittsburgh. The loss ended a 13-game winning streak.

‘Once we get in a rhythm, we should be fine,’ McNamara said. ‘Last time we lost, we got on a hot streak.’

Following Saturday’s game against Notre Dame, SU’s next four opponents are in the AP Top 25 poll. … Syracuse has won six of its last seven meetings against the Fighting Irish. … Following its loss to Pitt, SU dropped from No. 4 to No. 8 in the AP poll. No. 5 Boston College is now the Big East’s highest-ranked team.

Published on January 31, 2005 at 12:00 pm