Fab is Back

With Fab Melo in the lineup - Syracuse is a complete team

By Shane McCarthy on February 6, 2012

The Orange played three games without Fab Melo in the lineup (academic reasons), went 2-1 and saw their 20 game win streak snapped, and even in their two wins they looked like a different team.  They looked like a team that was timid and lacking confidence.

Now it's not that Melo lights it up on the stat sheet - he averages 7.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game.  Syracuse as a team averages 78.1 points per game and 36 rebounds per game, making Fab's contribution 9.5% and 15% respectively.

Fab lights it up on the floor by just BEING on the floor.  The Orange are a totally different team when he is banging down in the low post and centering the swarming 2-3 zone.  When he was away for those three games all three opponents time and again attacked down low.  Luke Harangody, I mean Jack Cooley (you can't convince me they aren't somehow related), of Notre Dame went for 17 points and 16 boards!  He's a good player, but he doesn't do that with Fab in the game.

When Fab is in the game opponents have trouble dumping it down low as he controls that zone.  He has vastly improved his footwork (will give most of that credit to Weight Watchers) which has allowed him to average 3.0 blocks per game - and the team averaging 7.8 blocks per game with him in uniform (3rd in NCAA).  This forces opponents to keep the ball on the outside and take long-range shots, which is exactly what this fast and athletic 2-3 zone wants.

On the offensive end he allows the offense to run more smoothly.  Opponents may not have to commit a double team to him, but you definitely have to account for him at all times.  This allows the crafty guards  Scoop Jardine, Brandon Triche and Dion Waiters to dribble drive and force extra defenders to commit to them.  Then kicking it out to a wide-open Kris Joseph, James Southerland or the other guards just mentioned for an open look or throw a lob up to Melo for an easy dunk.  It doesn't hurt that Melo has a solid stroke from the line as well.

Melo has only been back for one game, and that was a blowout win over St. John's at Madison Square Garden which is more of a home game for Syracuse than it is for St. John's.  St. John's is undersized, inexperience and lacks depth, so this wasn't much of a test for the Orange.  But this team played with a different swagger and confidence compared to the previous three games.  Without Fab it seemed they lacked confidence which translated into poor shooting performances and a plethora of turnovers.  With him they are a different team, a team that is deep, talented and explosive.  Fab Melo completes the 2011-2012 Syracuse Orange.

@shane_t_mac