Josh Wright thought SU forward Darryl Watkins looked ‘pretty’ sporting the plastic mask he now wears to protect his nose.

But more importantly, it fits comfortably for the most part. As Watkins played 21 minutes-the first time he stepped on the court since last week where he sat out due to a bruised nose-he didn’t feel the mask prevented him from seeing. The round sockets fit perfectly around the base of his eyes.

The only adjustment was getting used to the breathing. But he thinks it’s minimal.

It didn’t take him long to become comfortable on the court. The 21 minutes, seven points, six rebounds and two blocks suggest Watkins is back in form.

‘I knew I was going to come back and play this much because I saw what happened in the Canisius game,’ Watkins said. ‘I knew I was immediately needed.’

Watkins checked in at the 15:04 mark. SU head coach Jim Boeheim didn’t know how much he would play him given his injury, but he’s not all surprised he was able to sustain 21 minutes.

‘I wanted to see what he could do and he did a lot,’ Boeheim said. ‘He played very well.’

This and That….

Matt Gorman started his third consecutive game for SU, but played only nine minutes. Boeheim said Gorman was sick before the game and didn’t look too good around tip. Gorman did not attempt a shot and grabbed only one rebound. …Paul Harris sported the new baby blue and white Nike ‘Melo’s, former Syracuse forward Carmelo Anthony’s new shoe.

Published on November 27, 2006 at 12:00 pm