Syracuse Orange: Fab Melo Is Arguably the Most Improved Player in the Country

Freshman numbers: 9.9 minutes per game, 2.3 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, .8 blocks per game, 60.7 field-goal Percentage, 36 free-throw percentage

Sophomore Numbers: 23.9 mpg, 7.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3 bpg per game, 57 percent fgp, 66.7 percent ftp

But it's not those numbers that enlighten us to both his improvement and importance to this team. It is the fact that Syracuse is 28-0 with him on the floor and 2-1 without him on the floor with the three-game absence due to academic issues. 

He only had four points against the Cardinal, but his eight rebounds and four blocked shots intimidated Louisville, something Syracuse has never been able to do seemingly since the national title run. If he can improve like this the next two seasons with the Orange (if he stays that long), Syracuse will make three runs with Melo for a national title. 

No. 1: Fab Melo Is Arguably the Most Improved Player in the Country

Freshman numbers: 9.9 minutes per game, 2.3 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, .8 blocks per game, 60.7 percent field-goal percentage, 36 percent free-throw percentage

Sophomore numbers: 23.9 mpg, 7.7ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3 bpg per game, 57 percent fgp, 66.7 percent ftp

But it's not those numbers that enlighten us to both his improvement and importance to this team. It is the fact that Syracuse is 28-0 with him on the floor and 2-1 without him on the floor with the three-game absence due to academic issues. 

He only had four points against the Cardinal, but his eight rebounds and four blocked shots intimidated Louisville, something Syracuse has never been able to do seemingly since the national title run. If he can improve like this the next two seasons with the Orange (if he stays that long), Syracuse will make three runs with Melo for a national title. 

No. 2: All Demons Have Been Crossed off Except for Two

The Orangemen have thrown every team to the wayside, with the exception of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a game that ended their 20-game winning streak, but has then been followed by a now 10-game winning streak. 

Jim Boeheim out-coached Rick Pitino this season, as he has prepared Syracuse to not walk on eggshells when playing this squad and just play their game as the much more talented team on the floor. Their seven-game losing streak has turned into a two-game winning streak against their biggest, most annoying nemesis 

With the way they have dominated the Big East this year, there is no way they should lose the Big East Tournament this week. The first demon is to win the tournament, as, if they do lose in it, they could lose their No. 1 seed, as inconceivable as that may sound if two teams from the Big 12 (Missouri and Kansas) or two from the ACC (UNC and Duke) play more impressively.

The second demon is that of not failing when many expect you to win in the NCAA Tournament. That occurred last year when the Orange were shockingly defeated by No. 6 seed Marquette in the NCAA tournament's second round.

If this season is any indication, then there should be no problem overcoming these demons.

No. 3: Syracuse Has Found a New No. 1 Lineup

The best starting five for Syracuse, or at least the one they have used in crunch time recently, has been Scoop Jardine at the point, Dion Waiters at the two, Kris Joseph at small forward, C.J. Fair at power forward and Fab Melo at center.

Defensively, all these players are as long and athletic as anyone at their position in the country, allowing them to be aggressive on the perimeter with Melo ready to swipe any shot in the direction of the basket. Fair does not have a great perimeter shot, meaning he is much better at the four because he doesn't need to play on the perimeter offensively, and he is such a great defensive player that any size differential against his player is made up for with his length and athleticism.

This lineup allows for isolation plays for their backcourt and allows Joseph and Fair to run by whoever is covering them at their position. Joseph's underrated ability to get into the paint and pass inside or outside opens so much for the offense in a half-court set, but is deadly on the fast break with this group's ability to force turnovers.

These five players will probably be the difference between a championship or failed season, because at this point, a championship is the only way this season is a success. 

No. 4: When Both Are On, It's Syracuse, Kentucky and Everyone Else

Two stud center recruits are at the "center" (very pun intended) of two of the most improved teams in the country despite both being perennial national title contenders. Fab Melo and Anthony Davis sounds like an interesting Final Four matchup that will have NBA scouts salivating at their potential.

Just like these two players at their positions, Kentucky and Syracuse are far and away the two most talented teams in the country. Yeah, North Carolina looked very good in Cameron last night, but are you really sure they could run up and down the court with either the Orange or Wildcats or penetrate the 2-3 zone or score against Anthony Davis inside? Try to answer those questions without any doubt because if they aren't, the Tar Heels are still behind both squads significantly.

With the NBA talent on the floor and coaches involved, it would arguably be the most-watched Final Four game of all-time, regardless of whether it is the semifinal or championship. 

No. 5: This Team Has the Makings of a Dynasty

Take away Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine and plug in C.J. Fair and Brandon Triche. Juniors Fab Melo and Dion Waiters can only get better, especially with Waiters starting at the two. 

Adding to that, Coach Boeheim always seems to find the gem of the bench, whether it is Andy Rautins, Kris Joseph, C.J. Fair, Waiters and next year's new studs, James Southerland and Michael Carter-Williams. 

The Orangemen should have the deepest lineup in the country the next two years, and that doesn't account for whether Rakeem Christmas will live up to the hype and any possible superstar recruits that look at Syracuse as a national title one-and-done opportunity.