NCAA Scores 2012: Syracuse Looks Fab-ulous Despite Melo's Absence

The Syracuse Orange look like they are ready to keep things rolling in this year's NCAA tournament, despite the absence of regular-season starter Fab Melo.

The Orange took down the Kansas State Wildcats in the third round of the tourney, as they blew them out in the second half to take a 75-69 win to move into the Sweet 16.

Both teams were neck-in-neck at the end of the first half with the score at 25-24 in the Orange's favor. Syracuse took off in the second, as they outscored the Wildcats 50-35 to make a huge statement to the rest of the field.

Melo, who was averaging 7.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 2.9 blocks, was not allowed to play with the team as he was declared ineligible by the school, so the team has had to make the best of their situation without him.

And that they have.

Despite a close call in the second round against UNC-Asheville, the team is looking like what we thought they were all season long.

Dion Walters and James Southerland led the attack off the bench, as the two dropped 18 and 15 points, respectively.

The Orange shot 51.1 percent from the field, as well as going 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. They held the Wildcats to just 31.3 percent in shooting, and if they keep up that type of defense, there is no telling how far this team can go.

The Orange will have to get past the Wisconsin Badgers or Vanderbilt Commodores in the Sweet 16, and if they play like they did today in the second half, this team could make a serious run to the Final Four, despite the odds being against them without their star center.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.

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