Syracuse Orange Sophomore Spotlight: Why Dion Waiters and Company Are Key

Now that the Syracuse Orange basketball squad has seen some stiff competition in the NIT Season Tip-Off, we're starting to see which players are ready for prime time.

The sophomores have come up big so far, and they'll be the key to whether Jim Boeheim's crew makes a national title run.

In the NIT semifinals and finals in Madison Square Garden, the Orange offense struggled to find its way against Virginia Tech and Stanford. In both games, Syracuse was down at halftime and relied on stingy defense and playmaking to win. Sophomores Dion Waiters, C.J. Fair and Fab Melo all rose to the occasion, and will be counted on to play major roles this season.

Fab Melo has shown the most improvement out of anybody this season. Against the Hokies, he played outstanding defense by blocking five shots, altering other attempts and drawing charges. In the finals against Stanford, he filled the stat sheet with nine rebounds, six points, three blocks and three steals.

He's improved his positioning on defense and has expanded his offensive game. If he can continue to be a force in the paint, the Orange will cruise this winter.

Off the bench, both Waiters and Fair scored in double-digits in the semifinals and finals. But it's not just the points, it's the energy that makes them effective.

Fair averaged 33 minutes, 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds off the bench at Madison Square Garden. He has a nose for the ball, and Boeheim will rely on him to pull down 7-to-10 rebounds per game. Fair's increased adeptness in the 2-3 zone will help Syracuse have one of the best defenses in the country.

Waiters is a lethal reserve for Jim Boeheim. His energy, creativity and passing ability have all improved since his freshman year, and the Orange needed him desperately against the Hokies and Cardinal. When he brings a spark off the bench and makes good decisions on offense, Syracuse is tough to handle.

It looks like freshmen Rakeem Christmas and Michael Carter-Williams still need some time to develop, so the sophomores will be counted on for more minutes and production. So far, it looks like they're up to the task.

Sophomore slump? These fellas want no part of that.