Sometimes Josh Pace looks like he would rather be anywhere but on a basketball court.

His slow amble across the hardwood seems better suited for a crowded mall than a Syracuse men’s basketball practice. His silent demeanor would fit in equally with librarians or teammates. His half-closed eyes — reminiscent of former NBA player Eric “Sleepy” Floyd — make him look more anxious to lay in bed than convert a layup.

But Pace, generously listed as a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, hasn’t spent his time replenishing his energy by sleeping. Instead, he’s been providing the Orangemen with an energy boost off the bench.

‘When the time comes,” Pace said, “I produce.’

Chances are, things will be no different tonight when Syracuse (1-1) plays Colgate (2-2) at 7 in the Carrier Dome.

‘(Pace) brings an intensity to our game,’ freshman point guard Gerry McNamara said. ‘We just feed off him. For him to give us that is more valuable than him giving us 30 points.’

Pace has played more than 20 minutes in each of SU’s first two games.

In the opener against Memphis, he jumpstarted a stagnant SU offense, making all five field goal attempts in a 70-63 loss. During an 81-66 win over Valparaiso on Nov. 24, he finished just 2 of 7, but the Orangemen built momentum with Pace on the floor.

The sophomore tallied four rebounds, six assists and a block with only two turnovers.

Against Memphis, Pace replaced an ineffective Kueth Duany at shooting guard. Against Valparaiso, SU head coach Jim Boeheim switched to a smaller lineup, using Pace and Duany together and benching centers Craig Forth and Jeremy McNeil. Pace also briefly spelled McNamara at point guard.

‘He’s like a Miami football player in terms of basketball,’ assistant coach Mike Hopkins said. ‘He’s big enough to play (small forward), smart enough to play (point guard) and fast enough to play (shooting guard).’

Pace has flourished in the sixth-man role. He ranks fifth on SU in minutes and points, but is third in rebounds, second in assists and tied for first in steals.

‘I would say he’s very unusual in that regard,’ Boeheim said. ‘Most guys take more time to warm up. He comes right in and starts playing. Most guys struggle with that.’

Pace insists this is nothing new. But last year, it appeared only in flashes.

Sure, Pace sparked the Orangemen to a Feb. 4 win over West Virginia with 12 points, five steals and five rebounds and also shot 4 of 6 against Richmond in the NIT quarterfinals on March 20.

But he barely saw the floor during early-season matchups with DePaul and Michigan State and failed to play a minute in two of Syracuse’s first five Big East contests.

Pace struggled to adjust mentally from a high school star to a college reserve.

Worse yet, he was slotted behind Duany, sharpshooter Preston Shumpert, former point guard James Thues and DeShaun Williams.

‘It was tougher last year,’ Pace said. ‘I was disappointed not playing as much as I thought I should, but it was something I had to do. In high school, I started all the time. Last year, I had to come off the bench.’

Pace has been overshadowed at SU.

Last season, 7-footer Craig Forth’s potential and Hakim Warrick’s high-flying dunks earned fanfare among the freshmen. This year, newcomers McNamara and Carmelo Anthony earned starting spots. And next year, another top recruiting class should battle Pace for playing time.

All the while, Pace has refused to gripe about his sixth-man status.

‘I just try to wait my turn,’ Pace said.

Neither Pace, nor his numbers, have to speak about his importance to Syracuse. His teammates will do that for him.

‘He might get overlooked as far as the fans go,’ McNamara said. ‘But as far as I’m concerned, he’s one of the most valuable members of this team.’

Published on December 2, 2002 at 12:00 pm