Mookie Jones scored ten points and grabbed two rebounds. That's all you really need to know about the No. 1 Syracuse Orange's 19th win the season, a 78-55 pasting of Providence.
As you might have heard elsewhere, that 19-0 start ties the 1999-2000 team for the best start in school history.
In a game that was basically over five minutes into the second half, the Orange got down and dirty and just withsootd Providence's physical play early on until the talent gap was just too much for overcome.
Kris Joseph led the Orange with 13 points while Dion Waiters added 12. Scoop Jardine matched mighty Mookie with ten points while also dishing out 9 assists. The starters averaged 17 minutes of action the entire evening, so don't hold it against them if their stats are "down."
The Orange used one of their patented runs (15-0 late in the first half) to turn this one into a yawner. It was one of those games where everyone did their part. Syracuse had 22 assists and committed a mere 15 fouls, while forcing 16 first-half turnovers.
Fabricio de Melo put in another solid defensive performance, swatting four blocks to go with his four points and five rebounds.
C.J. Fair played the most minutes of anyone with 29 as he scored nine, grabbed six boards, dished four assists and netted three steals.
To be fair, the Friars were without their best player, Vicent Council, who missed the game for reasons not entirely clear. Kadeem Batts (13 points) and LaDontae Henton (12 points) did what they could but it wasn't nearly enough. I don't remember exactly but the Friars trailed by as much as 28 at one point.
The Orange now prep for the once-might Pittsburgh Panthers on Monday (remember when that game looked scary?). Win there and we're 20-0 for the first-time ever. Impressive.