Syracuse’s chances of challenging for Big East and NCAA championships just got a whole lot better.
That’s because The Syracuse Post-Standard reports that 7-foot sophomore center Fab Melo has been reinstated after missing three games, reportedly for academic reasons.
Melo will be eligible to return Saturday when the Orange (22-1, 9-1 Big East) face St. John’s at Madison Square Garden.
Syracuse had no official comment Wednesday night.
Without him, Syracuse lost its first game of the season, at Notre Dame, in a game in which Irish center Jack Cooley dominated down low.
The Orange also won at Cincinnati and at home against West Virginia courtesy of a no-call on a late goaltending move by Syracuse big man Baye Keita.
Melo is averaging 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
Photo: Post-Standard