EAST LANSING, Mich. — Being the top freshman in the country, a seven-time Big East Rookie of the Week recipient and a sure NBA draft pick weren’t enough. Carmelo Anthony still felt he had something to prove.

Entering yesterday’s game at Michigan State, Anthony and the No. 15 Syracuse men’s basketball team had yet to defeat a quality opponent away from the Carrier Dome. And despite all the accolades heaped upon Anthony, he’s constantly questioned about how a freshman can develop the toughness to compete at an elite level.

Yesterday, during Syracuse’s 76-75 win over Michigan State in front of 14,759 in the Breslin Center, Anthony provided an answer.

Anthony scored 25 points, including a game-winning 3-point play, against one of the most physical defenses he’s seen this season.

“I proved a lot in this win,” Anthony said. “We hadn’t played well on the road, and Michigan State is one of the most physical teams in the country.”

With Syracuse leading, 73-70, Anthony bullied his way toward the basket and stretched to lay the ball in. While Anthony was in midair, Michigan State (14-11) guard Kelvin Torbert cut his legs out from under him, sending Anthony tumbling to the ground. Anthony writhed in pain, rolling on the floor while holding his back.

Since trainers came on the floor to help Anthony, Syracuse (19-4) was charged a timeout. While the Orangemen spent the timeout discussing strategy, Anthony spent it doubled over, stretching his back in various angles.

By the time he stepped to the free-throw line, even Anthony questioned whether he could make the shot.

“I thought I was going to airball it,” he said. “I couldn’t feel half my body, because it was numb.”

Instead, Anthony swished it. The free throw was SU’s final point and supplied Syracuse with its slim victory.

“He proved how great he is, and he proved how tough he is,” Syracuse point guard Gerry McNamara said. “He makes everyone around him better.”

After Anthony’s free throw, Michigan State’s Chris Hill, who led the Spartans with a season-high 34 points, nailed a 3-pointer from four steps behind the 3-point line. A pair of free throws helped the Spartans climb within a point before their final possession.

With the clock winding down, SU center Craig Forth guarded Torbert, who fired a short jumper. The shot bounced off the rim and was tipped twice before landing in the hands of sophomore Alan Anderson. With two seconds left, Anderson spun and clanged a runner off the rim. As the buzzer sounded, he pulled the bottom of his shirt over his head, hiding his face.

“That’s the way the year has gone for us,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said. “It was a game we could have won, not saying we should have. But I think we could have.”

If they had, Hill could have taken sole responsibility. He nailed a Big Ten-record 10 3-pointers in 18 tries and finished 12-of-20 shooting.

But Hill’s exploits weren’t enough. Anthony provided Syracuse just enough room. In the first half, Anthony matched Hill shot-for-shot. Three times Hill buried 3-pointers that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Each time, Anthony hushed the fans by returning the favor on the next SU possession. Anthony finished the first half with 15 points, while Hill totaled 17.

Izzo tried myriad defenders on Anthony. He tried zone and man-to-man defenses. It all failed.

First, MSU tried to use guards to defend Anthony. But SU’s freshman dropped 3-pointers over them and backed through them.

“He can bring the ball down the court,” said Anderson, who guarded Anthony for portions of the game. “He can pass. There’s nothing he can’t do.”

Izzo eventually called Aloysius Anagonye — a 6-foot-8, 260-pound mound of muscle — to defensive duty. Initially, Anthony challenged the bigger defender, crashing into him on every opportunity.

“I was trying to battle with him,” the 6-foot-8, 220-pound Anthony said. “You can’t battle with anybody who’s that big.”

Rather than collect rebounds and points, Anthony collected his first injury of the game.

With 8:47 left in the second half, Anagonye and Anthony battled for a rebound, landed on the floor and exchanged elbows while getting to their feet.

Minutes earlier, Anthony and Anagonye collided while grabbing for a rebound. Anagonye picked up a foul, while Anthony skipped down the sideline, howling in pain and gripping his elbow.

“They threw a lot of stuff at (Anthony),” Boeheim said. “He struggled earlier in the season. He had a few games where he scored 11 or 12 points.”

Rather than look flustered, Anthony looked for teammates. Anagonye’s effectiveness wore off when Anthony began passing the ball. While collecting all four of his assists in the second half, Anthony proved tough enough to win on the road. He also rid himself of one more pesky question.

“(Anthony’s) obviously proved he’s a good player over a long stretch,” Boeheim said. “He’s been a terrific ballplayer all year. If he’s shooting well from outside, he’s not guardable. I’m not sure if there are two people who can guard him if he makes those.”

Published on February 22, 2003 at 12:00 pm