Thoughts about West Virginia-Syracuse

The streak is over. After almost a full month, Syracuse has won a home game.

 The Orange (21-6, 8-6) got off to another slow start against West Virginia (16-9, 7-6) but took over in the second half and never looked back, going on to win, 63-52. Some bits of tid:

• Syracuse's start to the second half may have been the best string of plays they've made all season. The first four possessions were three-point plays by Kris Joseph and Brandon Triche followed by three pointers from Triche and Scoop Jardine. The last basket came off a fast break set up by a ridiculous spike/block from Baye Moussa Keita.

• West Virginia couldn't find an answer for Triche all night. He led the offense with his second straight 20 point performance.

• Moussa Keita started again tonight as Fab Melo sat out for the second consecutive game for missing practice. He couldn't take advantage of the opportunity, though, grabbing just four rebounds and failing to score.

Bad Mutha Keita with a thunderous block (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli)

• Jardine had another solid game, stuffing the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, six assists, and five steals.

• Syracuse's difficulty defending long range shots persists. Even the Mountaineers, who aren't a particularly strong three point shooting team, shot 11 for 22 from three. Seven of those came from Casey Mitchell, who finished with 23 points.

• That being said, the Orange still played great defense. In the second half West Virginia was held to just 22 points on 7 for 24 shooting, and was held scoreless in the last 5:20 of the game.

• Yelling "C.J. Fair" has become a common chant in the student section. He had 8 points and 5 rebounds, further solidifying himself as the team's sixth man.

• Rick Jackson got back to his usual self but just missed a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

• Dion Waiters' poor play continued tonight. He went in for about ten minutes, missed a few bad shots, and that was pretty much it. His play was almost Mookie-esque.

• Whose idea was it to have the announcers in different spots along the sideline? The game doesn't feel any different to viewers when watching on television.

• Only 22,669 were in attendance for the game, but they made their presence felt in the big moments.

So things are looking good for Syracuse; for now at least. They'll look to keep rolling on Saturday against Rutgers.

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