It didn’t matter to Rakeem Christmas that there were six seconds left in the game. It didn’t matter that Syracuse had a 16-point lead or that nearly all of the other players on the court were just standing and waiting for the time run out in an Orange win.

After Tyler Roberson cut across the middle and missed a step-back jumper, Christmas went up unguarded to tip in another two points and give him his fourth double-double on the season.

“As long as Rak’s going good, it all starts with him,” SU forward Michael Gbinije said. “Teams are starting to double-team him down low, which is helping us get shots and make plays. I think as long as he keeps going, I think we’ll be good.”

Christmas’ double-doubles in the Orange’s last two games earned him the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week honors on Monday. It’s been a season in which the experience of the point guards, the ability of the outside shooters, and the team’s basic fundamentals have all come into question, but Christmas has remained a powerful constant.

His 17.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game lead Syracuse and he’ll have another chance to continue his breakout season when his Orange (8-4) hosts Cornell (6-6) in SU’s final nonconference game of the season in the Carrier Dome on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

“He’s been big for us all year,” SU freshman point guard Kaleb Joseph said. “He’s been aggressive, he’s hitting shots. He’s strong down there and staying out of foul trouble helps us out a lot.”

Sunday marked the first time this season that Christmas didn’t record a foul. He had recorded at least three in 10 of the season’s first 11 games.

But his ability to avoid foul trouble, like every aspect of his game, has been improving. He’s averaging 2.2 fouls per game over the past seven contests compared to 4.2 in the first five.

Over the past two seasons, he’s improved his scoring by nearly 12 points per game — netting at least 13 points in all but one of the Orange’s games this year — and his rebounding by three boards per game. On Media Day in October, before anyone had seen Christmas play, SU head coach Jim Boeheim said he was most impressed with what he had seen from his senior.

He was better.

“We’re looking for Rak,” Boeheim said after Sunday’s win. “But if he’s double teamed, he passes the ball out. He’s playing extremely well.”

On Sunday, when Syracuse had a hard time pulling away from a pesky 49ers squad, it was Christmas that led the charge as the Orange outscored LBSU 41-27 in the second half, buoyed by the forward’s 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and hitting 5-of-6 from the line.

With 2:47 left in the second half, Gbinije found him cutting on a cross-court lob pass. Christmas caught the ball high over his head and slammed it home. It stretched the lead to 16 and forced Long Beach State to call a timeout.

The Syracuse fans rose to their feet as they cheered while Christmas landed on his feet with his arms raised high above his head.

It’s a sight they’ve begun to grow accustomed to.

“I’m just focused on doing me,” Christmas said. “I just want to go out there and do what I’ve been doing.”

Correction: In the Dec. 30 article, the number of fouls Rakeem Christmas has had this season is incorrect. He has had at least 3 fouls in 10 of his first 11 games. The Daily Orange regrets this error. 

Published on December 30, 2014 at 2:11 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3