Missouri center Arthur Johnson was coming off a 30-point bonanza against Baylor. Syracuse centers Craig Forth and Jeremy McNeil had given up 26 points to Boston College freshman center Craig Smith.

Syracuse’s centers appeared set for a drubbing. Instead, Forth turned in his most efficient defensive effort of the season. He limited Johnson to 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting and frustrated his fellow big man into four fouls.

‘If we had played the way we had been playing defensively (before this game), we would have been behind at halftime,’ SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. ‘Our defense was much better inside.’

Forth limited Johnson’s touches, fronting him and forcing the Tigers to rely on 3-point shooting. Missouri struggled from the 3-point line, converting only 7 of 24 attempts. Syracuse, meanwhile, hoisted 10 fewer 3-pointers.

Forth was also key to SU’s balanced offense. The Tigers continuously double-teamed Carmelo Anthony as he rounded screens. With a defender subtracted from inside, Forth repeatedly found himself open. He made 5 of 9 shots, many from close range.

Once the defense began guarding Forth, he dished the ball off to teammates. During SU’s deciding run, Forth picked up two assists, finding Gerry McNamara for a pair of wide-open 3-pointers.

Big screen

Despite the advertising efforts of Syracuse’s Fans First Initiative, some students remained unaware that a video screen like the one that hung above the Carrier Dome’s blue curtain last night will be a permanent addition to the Dome. Over the summer, two screens will be installed in the northeast and southwest corners of the Dome.

‘Is that from ESPN?’ said freshman Dan Lavia, a front-row member of the student section.

Although Syracuse’s students may not know who gave them the gift of instant replay, they were thankful.

‘It’s a huge improvement,’ Lavia said. ‘It’s great. I was going nuts.’

Last night, students spent more time watching themselves on the monitor than Michael Jackson spends staring into the mirror.

At halftime and near the end of the game, a camera panning slowly across the mass of bodies sent the student section into a frenzy.

‘It’s about time,’ longtime season-ticket holder John Glinsky said. ‘All the big-time programs have them.’

Resting time

For once, Gerry McNamara won’t mind seeing his playing time cut.

McNamara — who this season has played more than 35 minutes in eight games, including two in the past three days — is ready to welcome back fellow freshman guard Billy Edelin with open arms.

‘Would you be tired if you played 40 minutes?’ McNamara asked. ‘Well, then.’

Edelin, who many penciled into the starting lineup during the preseason, returns Saturday at Pittsburgh from a 12-game NCAA-imposed suspension for playing in a recreational league last winter.

‘It’ll take a few minutes from everyone,’ Boeheim said. ‘Instead of 40, they’ll be playing 32. I think we’ll be fresher at the end of the game. We can’t expect Carmelo to do the things he does on offense and defense for 40 minutes a game.’

McNamara has earned his starting point-guard job and Anthony said he believes Boeheim will bring Edelin along slowly. Still, Edelin’s presence will allow McNamara to spend more time at his natural shooting-guard position and will give Anthony and Kueth Duany more rest.

‘(Edelin’s) been practicing with us this whole time,” Boeheim said. ‘It’s different in games, but we’ve got to get him rotated back in there and get adjusted.’

But don’t expect Edelin to get an adjustment period from Pittsburgh on Saturday. Instead, he’ll match up against Brandin Knight, the Big East’s preseason Player of the Year.

This and that

Syracuse held Rickey Paulding, Missouri’s leading scorer, to 11 points, his lowest total of the season. … Chicago Bulls’ general manager Jerry Krause attended the game, presumably to watch NBA prospect Anthony and prospects-to-be Hakim Warrick and Johnson, the Tigers’ center. … After missing a jump shot early in the second half, Forth fell backward, bumping his head on the Carrier Dome floor. After briefly having it checked on the bench, Forth returned. … Students rushed the court after the game, foolish considering the Orangemen were 5.5-point favorites.

Published on January 13, 2003 at 12:00 pm