Syracuse men’s basketball assistant coach Mike Hopkins couldn’t wait to play his first game as an Orangeman – even if it was an exhibition.

Three hours before tip-off, Hopkins sat on the Syracuse bench, envisioning the first contest of his career.

‘I was so nervous,’ Hopkins said. ‘So, so, nervous.’

Tonight, when Syracuse takes on Nike Elite at 7 p.m. in the Carrier Dome, four new faces will go through the same gut-wrenching wait Hopkins did 13 years ago.

Carmelo Anthony, Billy Edelin, Gerry McNamara and Matt Gorman will make their debuts against an exhibition squad featuring a host of former college basketball players. Exree Hipp, if only for his name, and Dedric Willoughby represent the most notable members of Nike Elite. The other six members hail from schools as varied as Fairleigh Dickinson – it’s in New Jersey – and Kansas State.

Although the assortment of former-collegiate talents was assembled especially for exhibition contests, Syracuse won’t have much of an advantage in the cohesion category.

Nearly half of SU’s nine scholarship players are freshmen, while seven have completed less than two years.

‘We just want to go out and try to play together,’ assistant coach Troy Weaver said. ‘We have a lot of young guys. We just want to see how long we can go out, play hard and play as a team.’

Although the Orangemen are anxious to begin the 2002-03 campaign, they’re more anxious to put last season behind them.

A host of troubles beset SU last year. Then-freshman Mark Konecny left school in November and never returned. Then-junior DeShaun Williams was suspended three games for driving while ability impaired and was later declared academically ineligible for this semester. He later transferred to Iona. Junior Jeremy McNeil also left the team but returned several days later. And Edelin missed all of last year because of an indefinite suspension that came after two SU students accused him of rape and sexual assault.

‘I’m really glad to be back,’ Edelin said last month. ‘I want to show people the real me more than anything.’

Check the face of head coach Jim Boeheim for proof that the Orangemen are eager to start this year. Rather than wearing his traditional sour puss, Boeheim’s sporting a slight smile.

Syracuse students got their first glimpse during last Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage, when Anthony whispered into Boeheim’s ear and received a grin and playful shove in the back.

Syracuse’s inexperienced defense, though, may make Boeheim frown. While the Orangemen plan to test a variety of defenses against Nike, including man-to-man and a press, communication is especially key in SU’s specialty, the 2-3 zone.

On Saturday, Anthony finished second with 31 points. Only senior Kueth Duany, whom Anthony was allegedly defending, scored more, dropping in 36.

The mention of the defense in that game caused assistant coach Bernie Fine to crinkle his nose, as if the team’s dirty uniforms had been waved across his face.

‘Defense is about desire and heart,’ Fine said. ‘We’re a good offensive team. If we’re a good team, we will depend on our defense.’

Boeheim said yesterday he had not selected a starting lineup for tonight but that every Orangeman would play.

One potential lineup may include Edelin and Duany at guard, Anthony and sophomore Hakim Warrick at forward and sophomore Craig Forth at center.

The most inexperienced position is point guard, where Edelin appears likely to start. Gerry McNamara, also a freshman, will see time at the point as well.

‘At the beginning of the year, we might have our troubles,’ Edelin said. ‘I think (Boeheim) knows we have a young team.’

Published on November 4, 2002 at 12:00 pm