Fab Melo missed Syracuse’s last two games at Notre Dame and Cincinnati because of academic issues. Sources said that it could "be a while" before those academic issues are resolved.

Because of student privacy issues surrounding his academic status, SU officials have not publicly commented, beyond saying that there was no new information about Melo's playing status.

Nerlens Noel has decided to remain in the Class of 2013 instead of enrolling in college this fall. Noel is the top center in the class of 2013 and in the top-3 overall.

“It was a possibility but I’ve been coming to the decision that… I’ll be staying 2013,” Noel said. “I’m just staying to get stronger. I think it’s going to be a good summer, a good school year. I tried to stay stress-free, just really focused on working hard academically, in the weight room and on the court and just leaving that recruiting stuff for when I got free time.”

Noel is being targeted by Syracuse, UConn, Kentucky, Louisville and Georgetown.

“The type of program thats fits me is probably up-tempo, that likes to move the ball and just go,” Noel said. “But then again I think I can play in a good offense running system that gets their big men the ball, high and low.”

Syracuse is averaging 20.4 transition points per game, a 4.4 point increase from last season.

Leading the Orange in the transition game is Dion Waiters.

The sophomore guard has been coming off the bench and providing energy by stealing the ball almost four times per 40 minutes, the third-highest rate in Division I, and scoring a Division I-high 97 transition points.