SI.com - 2003 Men's NCAA Tourney

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Carmelo Anthony needed one season to take Jim Boeheim to the promised land. Led by its fabulous freshman, Syracuse won its first national title with an 81-78 win against Kansas on Monday. SI.com's Stewart Mandel says by beating senior-laden KU, Anthony and the young Orange changed the game.

• SI Photos from the Field: Golden Orange
• Closer Look: Warrick blocks KU comeback
• Photo Gallery: Syracuse wins first title
• Take your pick: Plenty went wrong for Kansas
• Final Bracket | Day-by-day results

Season at a Glance
• Unpredictability was 2002-03 season's hallmark

• Kansas' Williams talks with UNC legend Smith
• Orangemen greeted by jubilant fans in Syracuse
• MOP Anthony leads Syracuse to championship
• Syracuse's 'other' freshman does damage early
• Title game ratings fall; tourney ratings down
• Boeheim finally captures elusive national title
• Careers of Hinrich, Collison end in disappointment
• For more stories, click here | Other college hoops news

F		Carmelo Anthony Syracuse Orangemen 20 pts, 10 boards, 7 assists Syracuse 81, Kansas 78

G		Gerrry McNamara Syracuse Orangemen 18 points, six 3-pointers Syracuse 81, Kansas 78

F		Nick Collison Kansas Jayhawks 19 points, 21 rebounds Syracuse 81, Kansas 78




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Hot hands
Gerry McNamara discusses how it feels to be "in the zone" during a national title game.
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One for the coach
Nick Collison expresses his disappointment at not winning a title for Roy Williams.
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Diamonds in the Rough
• Four players who can make a difference

Tournament Trends
• The Big Easy has seen some Big Games

National Championship History
• Year-by-year look at NCAA champs

SI Flashbacks: New Orleans
• 1982: Finally, it's Carolina
• 1987: Smart's 3 sinks Syracuse
• 1993: Michigan's technical knockout
• SI.com's History of the Final Four

Hoops Bracket Challenge
• Check in on your tournament pool

6	First-half 3-pointers by 'Cuse freshman Gerry McNamara in the championship.

18	Free throws missed by Kansas, the most ever in the championship game.

61.1	Percentage of total Syracuse points scored by its freshmen.

121	Total points scored by Carmelo Anthony in six NCAA tournament games.

Stewart Mandel: Here in Bracketland
Williams, Boeheim swear the title isn't everything.

Grant Wahl: Inside College Basketball
The stars are aligned for Kansas to win it all.

Who is the best freshman to win a NCAA title?
Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse
Mike Bibby, Arizona
Pervis Ellison, Louisville
Michael Jordan, N. Carolina

View Results

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