Regular Season Finale: DePaul vs. Syracuse

Syracuse closes out the regular season Saturday against DePaul at the Carrier Dome (4 PM ET, Big East Network).

Significance: Rick Jackson's journey will be honored Saturday as he plays his final game in the Carrier Dome. Also, a win gives Syracuse a double bye in the Big East Tournament.

Three Pointers:

1. Cleveland Melvin is out for DePaul: He's given the Blue Demons a bright future averaging 14.3 ppg as a freshman, but Cleveland Melvin was sidelined last week for the rest of this season. Without him, what little chance DePaul had is now almost certainly gone.
2. Syracuse must avoid a slow start: Last year against DePaul, Syracuse came out to a slow start. The Orange fell behind by as much as 18, and didn't have a lead until the last four minutes of the game before going on to win. To be sure, Syracuse should put this game away early.
3. Time for the Orange to fine tune themselves: The DePaul game couldn't have come at a better time: Syracuse is on a four game winning streak and looking at a double bye in the Big East Tournament. This is their chance to work out some kinks, like defending the three, hitting free throws, and finding Kris Joseph on offense.

Prediction: Normally a game against DePaul wouldn't be too exciting. But it's the regular season finale and Rick Jackson's last hurrah, so it's worth the drive over here, even if it's a little out of the way.

Syracuse 73, DePaul 55

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