Syracuse's Fab Melo out of NCAA Tournament: 4 Players Who Need to Step Up

Syracuse center Fab Melo has been ruled out of the NCAA Tournament because of eligibility issues. 

Melo averaged about 25 minutes per game and scored 7.8 points per game. He also hauled down 5.8 rebounds per game for the Orange this season.

But, Melo's most important impact came on the defensive end where he rejected almost three shots per contest. He occupied the middle of Syracuse's 2-3 zone with ferocity, and struck fear into anyone driving into the lane. 

The Orange will have a tough time advancing without Melo's services. The Orange struggled on the glass with Melo in the lineup, let alone without. 

Here are four players who must step up in Melo's absence:

James Southerland

James Southerland is a face-up, finesse forward on offense, but that does not mean he cannot hold his own on the defensive end. 

Southerland averaged 16 points per game during the regular season. He put up over six points per game and hauled down three boards per game over that limited span. 

Defensively, Southerland averages almost one block, and one steal per contest. He will need to make his presence felt in this area, especially. 

The Orange will miss Melo's massive frame in the center of their 2-3 zone, but Southerland's length could soften that blow a bit.

Baye Keita

Baye Keita has the best chance at replacing Melo's defensive presence. 

The Senegal native played only 11 minutes per game during the regular season, but he used that time wisely. Keita averages almost one blocked shot per game. 

This does not come close to Melo's 2.9 blocked shots per game, but Keita has made the most of limited minutes. He is the closest Syracuse has in terms of Melo's size, and must play even bigger with Melo ineligible. 

Keita is not going to provide much offense, but he is a capable rebounder and shot blocker because of his long, 6'11' frame.

Rakeem Christmas

Rakeem Christmas is an explosive athlete, around the rim. He is inexperienced, but will need to grow up in a hurry over the coming weeks. 

Christmas averaged around 10 minutes per game during the regular season. He made minimal contributions, but did score in double figures one time. 

Christmas will need to improve on his 2.5 points per game in the tournament. More importantly, he will need to haul down more than 2.6 rebounds per game with the loss of Melo down low.

He has the ability to alleviate the stress of Melo's absence. The Orange have struggled for rebounds all season, and Christmas will need to help make sure that problem does not get any worse with the loss of their star center.

C.J. Fair

Sophomore forward C.J. Fair is not as big as Melo, but he is far more skilled. 

Fair averages almost nine points per game to go with 5.5 boards per game for the Orange. He averages more minutes than Melo, at 26 per game, but will need to step up nonetheless.

Melo's absence on offense will leave a void in the paint. Fair must assume a larger role in the post because of this. 

Defensively, Melo was the stopper in the middle for Syracuse. Fair does not have the same hulking size, but he has the athleticism to disrupt opponents.

Fair will not be able to replace Melo on the defensive end, but he certainly has the skill to score more in what should be a larger role.

Honorable Mention: Jim Boeheim

Ok, ok, Jim Boeheim is not technically a player. However, he will need to step up as much as anyone with the loss of his starting center. 

Boeheim has the luxury of coaching a very deep Orange squad. He has no shortage of bodies to put on the floor, but he must be able to manage his new rotation.

Without Melo manning the middle of his patented 2-3 zone, Boeheim will need to be more creative with his substitutions. He will have to use smaller players down low, and put players in roles they may not be used to playing. 

The primary job of a college coach is to mold his player's into the best possible version of themselves. Boeheim is needed as a leader now, more than ever.