syracuse college basketball wagering spreads

This season was all about Gerry McNamara for Syracuse, for good or for ill.

McNamara had his share of critics during his senior season. His numbers were about the same as last season, save for a lower shooting percentage and many more assists. Still, in basketball-crazy Syracuse, if the team isn't performing up to expectations, the team leader can expect to feel some heat.

For most of the baseketball season, Syracuse was a clear disappointment in the Big East. A 39-point loss at DePaul and a home defeat against Villanova left the team with a 7-9 finish in the league, the ninth seed at the NCAA tournament, and the sense that Syracuse would get to showcase McNamara at the Carrier Dome for a few more games in the National Invitation Tournament.

Indeed, for nearly 40 minutes in the Big East tournament opener against Cincinnati, it looked as if the Orangemen would be heading home Wednesday night with a thoroughly destroyed bubble. But McNamara nailed a 3-pointer in the final seconds and played the hero again in a quarterfinal victory over UConn that cemented the team's NCAA bid.

Syracuse went on to knock off Georgetown and Pitt for an improbable defense of its conference tournament title, but emerged as a banged-up, tired team. It hoped to get a Friday tipoff in the NCAA tournament opening round, but the selection committee game them a generous No. 5 seed and a miserly Thursday game. With McNamara hobbled, the Orange couldn't muster the energy to knock off Texas A&M and bowed out in the first round for the second consecutive year.

McNamara leaves with a prominent place in the school record book -- and also leaves huge shoes to fill. The Orangemen looked for consistency from the rest of the team all season, with forwards Terrence Roberts and Demetris Nichols and guard Eric Devendorf coming through with strong seasons. However, none have ever been counted on to truly lead the basketball team.

That day is here. In 2006-07, it will be up to the rest of the upperclassmen, as well as hotshot recruit Paul Harris, to lead the team back to the NCAAs.