MVP

FIRST ROUND vs. MANHATTAN

Anthony wanted to start the game at Boston by checking the accuracy of his jumper. After going three for nine with only seven points in the first 26 minutes, he changed his approach. Anthony’s last six shots came from five feet and closer -- and he made four of them to finish with a team-high 17 points in the Orangemen’s 76-65 victory. “I know now I have to start out the game from the inside,” the 6-foot-8 Anthony said.

SECOND ROUND vs. OKLAHOMA STATE

Anthony was having one of those freshman moments in the first half, missing shots and turning the ball over. “We’re going to make mistakes and turn the ball over,” Anthony said. “It’s a matter of how hard we play after the turnover or the mistake.” Anthony made his presence felt on defense, where the Orangemen forced 22 turnovers in an 68-56 victory. Syracuse trailed by double digits most of the first half before turning up the pressure.

EAST REGIONAL SEMIFINAL vs. AUBURN

Anthony struggled against Auburn’s triangle-and-two defense, going scoreless in the first half although Syracuse still managed to hold a 10-point lead. “The defense they threw at me got me out of sync,” he said. Anthony got back in sync in the second half with 18 points as Syracuse held on for a 79-78 victory.

EAST REGIONAL FINAL vs. OKLAHOMA

Anthony cut down the nets after a 63-47 victory over the Sooners, then stuck strands underneath his brand new white cap that showed the next stop for the Syracuse Orangemen: New Orleans. He scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Orangemen to the Final Four at the Superdome. “This is my first time getting to the Final Four,” he said, “and hopefully not my last.” Coach Jim Boeheim yelled in response: “I’ll second that one.”

NATIONAL SEMIFINAL vs. TEXAS

Anthony twisted, turned and dunked all over the Longhorns, stealing the show with a career-high 33-point performance that led the Orangemen to a 95-84 victory and berth in the national final.

NATIONAL FINAL vs. KANSAS

If this was a one-season stopover for Anthony, he stamped it as a season Syracuse would never forget. The freshman with NBA talent scored 20 points, had 10 rebounds and had a career-high seven assists to carry the Orangemen to their first national championship in an 81-78 victory over Kansas.

-- Compiled from Times Wire Services