But promising underclassmen Rakeem Christmas, Jerami Grant and Trevor Cooney should be coming back.

WSJ: Boeheim plans on being back at Syracuse

Keita and Rakeem Christmas have made the going difficult in the paint for opponents.

WSJ: Syracuse's Keita a key cog in the Orange defense

Starting forward Rakeem Christmas, tops on the team with 40 blocks, has also heard his share of whistles.

WSJ: Reserves ready to go for short-handed Syracuse

On this night, it didn't matter as the Syracuse defense clamped down behind its front line of Fair, Jerami Grant and Rakeem Christmas, who combined for 44 points, six blocks, and 21 rebounds.

WSJ: No. 25 Notre Dame falls at No. 6 Syracuse, 63-47

Carter-Williams fed Rakeem Christmas for a slam dunk and less than a minute later Southerland slammed another home to complete a three-way passing play in the lane with Christmas and Triche to move Syracuse within 28-27.

WSJ: No. 10 Louisville beats No. 12 Syracuse 58-53