Former Syracuse big man Fab Melo died Saturday at the age of 26 in his native Brazil, according to local authorities. Orange coach Jim Boeheim called it "a sad, sad day."
John Wildhack, who has spent 36 years with ESPN, has been hired to be Syracuse's next AD. His last day at ESPN is July 28.
Dwayne "Pearl" Washington was 52. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor last summer and had surgery in the fall. He was an All-American at Syracuse from 1984 through 1986.
The Tar Heels do their best work in the paint, so playing in wide-open NRG Stadium for the Final Four could be the one time this season when inconsistent outside shooting works in their favor.
Westgate SuperBook has four bets booked on Syracuse winning the NCAA tournament, including a $100 ticket that would pay $100,100.
North Carolina begins the week as 4-5 favorites at the Westgate SuperBook to win the NCAA tournament.
