Jim Boeheim knew he could rely on Rakeem Christmas for some lockdown defense. But he may not have expected his senior center to be Syracuse’s offensive leader, as well.
With Michael Gbinije inactive for undisclosed reasons, Christmas picked up the slack and scored a career-high 21 points in Syracuse’s season opener. It ignited the Orange to an easy 89-42 win against Kennesaw State on Friday night in the Carrier Dome.
“When he’s near the basket, he’s going to finish or get fouled,” Jim Boeheim said. “He’s a good offensive player and he’s gotten better every year.”
Christmas' post presence helped Syracuse outscore the Kennesaw State, 50-14, in points in the paint. The Owls were forced to take several long, contested shots. They didn't score for a six-minute stretch midway through the first half and the Orange built up its lead with a 16-0 run.
After a modest four-point first half, Christmas scored ten points in the first five minutes and 53 seconds after intermission. The Orange expanded its lead from 20 to 32 during that stretch and put away doubt.
“In the first half, they pushed him outside too far and he had to make shots that he isn’t even really working on in practice,” Boeheim said. “He had to make a couple of turnaround jump shots that is not really the shot he needs to get. He was getting the shots in the first half that they wanted him to get. In the second half, he got the shots that we need him to get.”
Late in the second half, Christmas moved to his right and scored one last field goal – a soft hook shot which put Syracuse up 85-37. After beating Adrian, Christmas told reporters that his best offensive move was his hook shot. And on Friday, he backed it up. The Owls, meanwhile, had no answer.
"Coach Hop and Coach Boeheim told me this is going to be my year," Christmas said. "I’m going to get the ball a lot so everybody’s going to play off me."
It wasn’t a single-handed effort by any measure, though. It was a glimpse at Syracuse’s potential. Four other players for Syracuse scored in double-digits, including Chris McCullough. The freshman began his college career with a double-double as he scored 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
BJ Johnson finished with 19 points – also a career high – while Trevor Cooney and Tyler Roberson added 12 and 10, respectively. Cooney shot a respectable 5-7, but only managed one three-pointer. Like his team, most of his damage came near the basket. Syracuse didn't make a shot outside the paint until McCullough hit a mid-range jumper with 90 seconds left in the first half.
But with Syracuse's front-court offense, it didn't matter.
"They’re not giving (Cooney) many good looks," Boeheim said. "And when that happens, there should be room inside for Rak and Chris and that’s what happened."