Player of the week. (College Basketball).

Carmelo Anthony, F, Syracuse

If the first thing you think of when considering Carmelo Anthony is that he won't be a college player for long, you're missing an important point. Anthony is making more of an impact in his first season at Syracuse than many players manage in four. With the Orangemen playing last Sunday for the sake of getting on television against Michigan State, the team began a difficult stretch of three games in seven days, and only one of those was at home. Many other players in Anthony's class are struggling to perform comfortably on the road, but he seized this opportunity to deliver his most impressive work in an All-American season.

In three victories, Anthony averaged 26.3 points 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and just 1.3 turnovers. He shot 45 percent from the field and 44 percent on 3-pointers. He hit all five of his tries from 3-point range at Michigan State's imposing Breslin Center. He grabbed 15 rebounds against Georgetown and its big man, Mike Sweetney.

Anthony's performance in the overtime victory against Georgetown was flawed. There wouldn't have been overtime had he not missed a couple of late free throws, and he shot only 5-of-13 from the line. He hit just 1-of-7 from 3-point range. But he was dominant otherwise: 30 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks against the Hoyas. The victory was Syracuse's 11th in the Big East and 21st of the season.

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