One shining moment
The whole game was one shining moment for point guard Gerry McNamara, whose 43 points prevented an early exit for the defending champions. McNamara made many huge shots -- his nine three-pointers set a Syracuse NCAA tournament record -- but his most critical contribution came in the last 4:47 of the first half, after forward Hakim Warwick was sent to bench with three fouls.
McNamara, who already had 15 points, almost single-handedly cut BYU's lead from 11 to two by adding another 13. In quick succession, he made a three, a free throw, a layup, four more free throws and a fastbreak three to pull Syracuse to within two with 1:24 left in the half. "He was the only thing we had going in the first half," said coach Jim Boeheim after the game, adding that McNamara's performance was "as good as I have ever seen in college basketball."
"With Hakim out, I had to pick up my play," McNamara said later. "When you're feeling it, you have to roll with it."
Player who impressed me
Pale, crewcut and, by basketball standards, short, the 6-foot-2 McNamara looks like the classic gym rat who is able to do what he does only by dint of endless hard work. But assistant coach Mike Hopkins says it just isn't true. "He works hard, but Gerry is not a guy who takes 500 shots a day," says Hopkins. "He's a natural. It's a feel thing with him. One day he might say, 'Hey, coach, let's shoot today.' But it isn't everyday.'"
"He produces, and that's what's important," adds freshman Louie McCroskey. "The dude can shoot. We always tease him about JJ Redick being the best shooter in the country. But I think [Wednesday] he proved that he is the best shooter in the country."
McNamara doesn't like to be thought of as just a shooter, however. He is much more athletic than people think, and he doesn't get beaten off the dribble often. "He is a player," says Boeheim. "A deceptively good player."
Courtside confidential
McNamara, who is known as G-Mac on the team, is known as "the Mayor" in his hometown of Scranton, Pa. Once a year, about 10 busloads of Scrantonese motor up I-81 for a home game.
Long-term prospects
Syracuse was outrebounded by BYU 36-22; Hakim Warrick, the team's leading rebounder (8.8 rpg) pulled down only two. The Orangemen have to get more production inside though McNamara played well in last year's Final Four, he isn't likely to have another game of his life. On the other hand, Maryland has struggled with the zone all year. Syracuse's 2-3 should put a clamp on the penetration of Maryland point guard and leading scorer John Gilchrist.
