After one his best weeks of practice this season, center Jeremy McNeil figured he’d receive more playing time against Virginia Tech on Saturday. But what might have been more important was what McNeil did after practice.

During the Syracuse men’s basketball team’s week off from games, McNeil got a chance to wrap his ailing knees in ice; something he says allows him to play his best.

Syracuse would be wise to make sure its ice machine keeps running. In 21 minutes – his highest total since playing 22 in SU’s opener against Charlotte – McNeil scored seven points, pulled down seven rebounds and blocked one shot in SU’s 76-64 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday at the Carrier Dome. McNeil’s three baskets all came on thunderous, two-hand dunks.

‘Jeremy gave us a big lift,’ SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. ‘That was the best I’ve seen him play above the rim all year.’

McNeil’s key performance came a week after he was supplanted as Craig Forth’s backup by freshman Darryl Watkins. In SU’s 66-45 loss to Pittsburgh, McNeil didn’t get off the bench for the first time all season.

Against the Hokies, though, Boeheim used a full-court press, in which McNeil excels. Much like during SU’s NCAA Tournament run last year, McNeil guarded SU’s basket and disallowed any easy baskets if Tech broke the press. It’s the perfect situation for McNeil and his right arm, which does to fast breaks what windshields do to bugs.

‘Perm stepped up tremendously,’ said guard Josh Pace, referring to McNeil by his nickname. ‘He hasn’t been playing as well or getting as much playing time the last couple games. Without him, I think we would have had a tough game.’

When Virginia Tech went on an early second-half run to cut SU’s lead to six, McNeil made three key plays to seize back momentum. With 11 minutes left, McNeil blocked a shot, but Tech kept possession after a scramble. But after Tech failed to score, McNeil grabbed the rebound.

On SU’s ensuing possession, McNeil snared an offensive rebound and kicked it to Gerry McNamara, who drained a wide open 3-pointer to give Syracuse a 59-47 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

‘Once that happened, I knew that was all she wrote,’ McNeil said.

With McNeil’s most complete performance this season, Forth had to retreat to the bench for much of the game – not that he cared, though.

‘He’s blocking a shot, he’s dunking, he’s happy,’ Forth said. ‘I don’t mind watching him play when he plays like that.’

Look who’s back

Gerry McNamara decided not to speak with reporters after SU’s win. Then again, he probably didn’t have to – his play likely answered all of their questions.

McNamara played his best game by far since he injured his left groin at Seton Hall on Jan. 20. He scored a game-high 26 points, nailing six of 14 3s and all six of his free throws.

Last Saturday against Pitt, McNamara scored only eight points. On Thursday, McNamara said the problem wasn’t his groin. Fatigue was McNamara’s largest adversary, he said, because he had to miss several practices leading up to the Pitt game.

That wasn’t a problem Saturday night.

‘Gerry was huge all night,’ Boeheim said. ‘He had a good week of practice. He was aggressive tonight, and that’s how he’s got to play.’

AC C-ya

Need proof that the ACC-Big East fiasco was football driven? Just talk to Hakim Warrick.

‘I forgot that, actually,’ the SU forward said when asked about playing Tech for the final time in conference. ‘But I guess it’s good. We beat Boston College, too, so we’re 2-0 against the teams leaving.’

Since Virginia Tech played in the Atlantic 10 in basketball until 2000 and played in the East Division, Syracuse played the Hokies only once in conference play. SU won, 81-69, in 2002.

This and that

With 7:25 left in the first half, referees issued Tech head coach Seth Greenberg a technical foul after McNamara canned a deep jumper. McNamara then converted both free throws, giving him an unorthodox four-point play. … McNamara hooked up with Warrick for a pair of alley-oops, one of which finished off a slick fast break. After the slams, ‘Mac to Hak’ flashed on the Dome scoreboard. … Bryan Randall, Tech’s quarterback in the fall, finished with eight points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. … Walk-ons Andrew Kouwe and Ronniel Herron played the final 14 seconds. … Freshman Terrence Roberts got in for the final 1:35, just enough time for a gaudy blunder. He attempted a huge baseline dunk with his left hand, but threw the ball off the back rim.

Published on February 1, 2004 at 12:00 pm