Five years ago is a long time but fans usually have long-term memories. And Syracuse University fans have committed to memory not too fondly what happened on March 18, 2005.

That was the night No. 13 seed Vermont knocked off No. 4 Syracuse, 60-57, in the first

round of the NCAA Tournament. The surprising victory gained the Catamounts plenty of national

attention and a huge boost in recruiting. But during Selection Sunday the fact that Vermont

was playing Syracuse in a tournament rematch gave Catamounts coach Mike Lonergan another kind

of feeling.

"I was sick to my stomach," he said. "It wasn't anything I was hoping for, that's for sure."

Indeed, Lonergan has mixed emotions about playing the Orange. He grew up a huge fan —

his favorite player is Dwayne "Pearl" Washington — and he played at Archbishop Carroll,

the same Washington, D.C., high school that produced former Orange guard Lawrence Moten and

quarterback Marvin Graves. Former Syracuse assistant coach Troy Weaver, the man responsible

for recruiting Carmelo Anthony, is one of Lonergan's best friends.

But if Lonergan's stomach is queasy now, wait until Vermont takes the court against this

year's version of the Orange. And Syracuse fans will let them know that time doesn't always

heal all wounds.

The Catamounts

Is there anything Marqus Blakely can't do? Blakely is the only player in the country to

lead his team in points (17.4), rebounds (9.4), assists (3.7), blocks (1.9) and steals (2.3).

Blakely doesn't take the three; he prefers to slash to the basket. Because Syracuse plays a

2-3 zone, he might be easier to defend.

Maurice Joseph (14.1 ppg), the Michigan State transfer, has the ability to shoot over the

zone, and Blakely's passing skills have aided the emergence of junior Evan Fjeld (10.6

ppg.,6.1 rpg.) into a double-double player. Guard Joey Accaoui comes off the bench to pop

three-pointers. Lonergan's biggest concern is Vermont's lack of size. Vermont got a lot

smaller when 6-10 freshman Ben Crenca went down with an ACL injury in February.

The Orange

For all the talk about the availability of center Arinze Onuaku (it is unlikely he will play

this weekend), Syracuse probably doesn't need him for this round. The Orange will likely go

with Kris Joseph (11.3 ppg.) at power forward and move Rick Jackson (10.0 ppg.) into Onuaku's

spot at center. Or, SU could run a three-guard lineup with Brandon Triche (8.1 ppg.) and Scoop

Jardine (8.8 ppg), who both play the point, and sharpshooter Andy Rautins (11.7 ppg). Whatever

happens, the Orange has a distinct size advantage over the Catamounts, who don't have anyone

to match up with high-flying small forward Wesley Johnson (16.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.8 bpg).

Outlook

The Catamounts will have to play a near perfect game to upset the Orange and make some jump

shots to pull Syracuse out of its zone, but they aren't a particularly good three-point

shooting team. Syracuse has as good a chance as any team to win the national championship and

beating Vermont is the first step. What happened five years ago is ancient history.