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Welcome to shrine of Carmelo Anthony. If you have not seen Carmelo playing in college here is what he did on the way to championship. This wondrous 6-8 freshman small forward, from his 27-point Division I debut at New York's Madison Square Garden to his 5-for-5 long-range perfection at Michigan State to his 33-point destruction of Texas in the national semifinals and, finally, to the 20-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist masterwork Monday night against Kansas that helped secure Syracuse's first national championship. Isn't that amazing. I can still see him dunking over Kansas player and shooting the jumpers. Also you have not seen is his gift for comedy, which, in a basketball context, was reserved for members of the Syracuse family and used to keep a young team from remembering its youth. Anthony played the college game better than any freshman in NCAA basketball. Ever. He was the third to be named Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four but the first to function as the dominant member of a championship team since freshmen regained eligibility in 1972. He joined McNamara in one of the youngest starting lineups ever for a champion, with a combined 10 years college experience. Anthony's season of freshman-orientation heroics eclipsed those of DePaul's Mark Aguirre, Oklahoma's Wayman Tisdale and LSU's Chris Jackson. Anthony did not average as many points as Jackson or grab as many rebounds as Tisdale. His excellence was not acknowledged as readily. Instead, he ended his first college season with something none of them could manage. He made this his team, and he made it the nation's best team. In Syracuse's semifinal victory over Texas, the Longhorns tried to help 6-4 Royal Ivey double-team Anthony, and Anthony still logged 33 points and 14 rebounds. He scored not just because of his superior size and skill but an intelligence that put him in the proper position to make plays. So in the school Carmelo did came up big and helped Syracuse win the ultimate prize in College Basketball. College Stats: 35 Games, 22.2 Points, 10.0 Rebounds, 2.2 Assists, 1.6 Steals, 45.3% FG Shooting, 33.7% 3-Point FG Shooting, 70.6% FT Shooting Freshman (2002-03): Averaged 22.2 points (16th in nation, 4th in Big East) and 10.0 rebounds (19th in nation, 3rd in Big East). Posted 22 double-doubles and led team in scoring in 24 of 35 games. Led team in scoring, rebounding, minutes played (36.4 mpg), field goals made and attempted and free throws made and attempted. Was second on the team to fellow freshman Gerry McNamara in assists (2.2 apg) and steals (1.57 spg) and in three-pointers made and attempted. In the national championship game victory over Kansas, scored 20 points, adding 10 rebounds and seven assists. In Final Four win over Texas, exploded for a season-high 33 points and 14 rebounds. In six NCAA Tournament games, averaged 20.2 points and 9.8 rebounds. In Big East Tournament loss to Connecticut, tallied 29 points and season-high-tying 15 rebounds. Scored at least 20 points in 25 of 35 games. Played 38 or more minutes in 16 games and played at least 30 minutes in all but one game. Notched career-high 15 rebounds twice, vs. Georgetown and Connecticut. Also grabbed 14 rebounds four times. Produced 27 points and 11 rebounds in collegiate debut vs. Memphis. Recorded 30-point outings vs. Rutgers and at Georgetown. Hit 10-for-10 from the line against both Notre Dame and Rutgers.
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