Stunning defeat leaves Syracuse looking for answers

Hakim Warrick finished his stellar career with a not-so-stellar game.
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) -- Hakim Warrick never thought his stellar career at Syracuse would end so abruptly.
Warrick, who returned for his senior year with big hopes of making it to the Final Four again, was left in tears Friday night after the fourth-seeded Orange were upset 60-57 in overtime by upstart Vermont in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
"It's unbelievable," said Warrick, who led the Orange to their first Big East tournament title in 13 years and won conference player of the year honors. "I can't believe my career ended this way."
Syracuse picked the wrong time to play its worst game of the season. The Orange committed a season-high 24 turnovers and had a season-low 51 points in regulation.
"We just made too many mistakes," Coach Jim Boeheim said.
Past problems
The setback rekindled memories of the Orange's past problems in the tournament and was the worst loss since Syracuse became the first team in history to lose to a 15th seed. Richmond upset the No. 2 Orange in 1991.
Still, Warrick, swingman Josh Pace and center Craig Forth leave as one of the top senior classes in school history, having been part of 103 wins and the school's lone national title in 2003.
"These guys have had tremendous careers," Boeheim said. "They're great kids. I really am proud to be around them. They're great leaders. They never give up."
The departure of the seniors leaves Boeheim with a lot on his plate as he heads for his 30th year at his alma mater, some of it not so appealing.
Three reserves were missing from the bench for the Vermont game -- troubled junior guard Billy Edelin, freshman guard Josh Wright and freshman forward Dayshawn Wright.
Boeheim refused to discuss the matter.
"Yes, there's a reason," he said.
Attempts to reach university officials Saturday for an explanation of the players' absences were unsuccessful.
None of the three was a significant contributor in this 27-7 season. Edelin, an integral part of the Orange's run to the national championship, didn't play in Syracuse's final seven games and didn't travel here with the team. He's had academic problems, and whether he returns for his final year of eligibility remains a question mark, especially with McDonald's All-American guard Eric Devendorf set to enroll in the fall.
Nevertheless, Boeheim will have a solid nucleus to build on in fiery guard Gerry McNamara, who averaged 16 points a game.
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