If Syracuse forward Terrence Roberts’ knee was a question mark going into last night’s game against Bethune-Cookman, it shouldn’t be anymore.

Roberts scored a game-high 15 points, snagged six rebounds and added two steals in SU’s 68-37 victory at the Carrier Dome. But the most important thing for Syracuse was that whatever bothered Roberts in the first exhibition Nov. 1 against Saint Rose seemed to not be an issue. Roberts’ and his customary intensity were present in the Carrier Dome on Tuesday night.

‘Terrence played well,’ Syracuse senior Gerry McNamara said. ‘He’s a big energy guy for us. Any time he’s on the floor, he’s going to step it up a notch. We have to follow him. He’s going to bring energy every night and we have to match his level of intensity.’

He definitely displayed intensity, diving on the floor for loose balls even when the Orange had the game wrapped up in the second half. In one stretch, Roberts covered the floor on the fast break quicker than the rest of his teammates and quickly returned on defense when the play didn’t yield any points.

Roberts said his knee felt good and he didn’t show any signs of being slowed by it last night, playing 26 minutes.

‘I think I did pretty good,’ Roberts said. ‘I’d give myself a ‘C.’ I got a couple turnovers down low.’

This game was especially important for Roberts since he played sparingly in the two exhibitions last week. He said he needed a solid performance to prepare for Cornell today and whatever opponents Syracuse may meet in the future.

Syracuse made it a point of pushing the ball into its paint players, and head coach Jim Boeheim wasn’t pleased with Roberts’ decision to dribble in some spots where he could’ve easily shot over a shorter opponent. Roberts had three turnovers against the Wildcats.

Still, Roberts was physical and energetic, something SU needs if it’s going to win.

‘He was active,’ Boeheim said. ‘He’s got to get to the boards better. He’s more of a threat inside on the boards. He’s coming away from the basket a little too much and not going to the boards enough. That’s his strength; that’s where he’s very good. That stuff’s going to have to come in time.’

The rest of the Orange seemed pleased with Roberts’ first full game this year. He shot accurately, making 6-of-7 field goals and only committed two fouls.

Surely the knee isn’t completely healed, but Roberts showed it wouldn’t stop him from fulfilling his role on a team where his contributions are needed.

‘He played big for us and that’s the way he has to play every game,’ Syracuse sophomore Josh Wright said. ‘He’s a little gimpy, but he still has the game and the mentality to dominate. That’s something he can do and that’s what he did (Tuesday).’

Published on November 8, 2005 at 12:00 pm