Behind the scenes, though, activity is bustling as the athletics department staff is planning for a bowl experience that will be enjoyable for the team and fans alike.

In the coming days, you'll read plenty about activities planned for New York. Plan on stopping by at BowlMor Lanes in Times Square the night before the game for a bowling-optional tailgate party of sorts.

Through our padded studio walls, I can hear the whistles from football practice taking place in the newly-renovated Manley Field House complex. Tonight at Red Robin in Fayetteville, come ask Coach Marrone for updates on recruiting and preparations for his hometown bowl game. The AmeriCU Doug Marrone Show is 7-8 p.m.

Different Manhattan: Kansas State must feel as though it's playing a bowl game on Syracuse's turf with all SU has invested in NYC. At a press conference early this month, Wildcat coach Bill Snyder hinted that as few as three-or-so of his players had ever been to the Big Apple.

“To be in New York City is something they are excited about, to play a storied program like Syracuse, which I have great respect for. We're enthused about it,” Snyder told me today. The climates of Manhattan, Kan. and the five boroughs are similar. “We practiced (outside) the other day and it was minus-3 with the wind chill factor, so there is a little bit of equivalency with the weather.”

After our visit, the 71-year-old Snyder said he plans to reach out to Orange punter Rob Long, who was scheduled for surgery to remove a benign brain tumor yesterday. Amen.

Jackson's Action: Rick Jackson's eight double-doubles this season are not only second nationally but have surpassed his previous three-season total. In fact, prior to this season, Jackson had never before had two straight 10-rebound games, let alone six straight as he's already accomplished this year. Some Jackson stocking stuffers:

·         He had 11 rebounds against Florida Dec. 10, 2009, his only previous game with more than 10 boards. This year, he's had six games with at least a dozen.

·         Rick has played about eight minutes more per game this year than last (34 to 26) but his rebound-per-minute average has increased by 37%.

·         Without Wesley Johnson and Arinze Onuaku getting their share, Jackson is claiming 31% of the Orange's rebounds. You have to go back to Derrick Coleman in 1990 (29%) to find the last time an SU player accounted for anything near that.

Hoopy Holidaze: Don't let the next series of basketball games sneak up on you. While they may not have the brand names of Michigan St. and NC State, those remaining on the Orange's pre-Big East schedule should get the team's full attention. Iona (in the Dome Saturday) has won seven straight and 6-7 junior forward Mike Glover is averaging nearly 22 points per game. Morgan St. (Mon., 12/20) won 27 games last year and muddled up a first round NCAA matchup with West Virginia. Drexel (Wed., 12/22) won 52-46 at Louisville last night. That's a fitting leadup to the conference opener against Providence Dec. 28.

Matt's Musings: It's interesting that West Virginia is reportedly considering bringing in a head coach-in-waiting from another school to take over for Bill Stewart after next season Any chance Coach Stew can at least stay on as head interviewee?... Carmelo Anthony turned in a monster performance yesterday 35 points and 11 rebounds in Denver's win over Orlando.

This Week's Broadcasts:
Tonight/7:00p    TK99/97.7 AmeriCU Doug Marrone Show live at Red Robin
Thu./7:00p          TWCS          Syracuse Sidelines
Thu./7:00p          TK99/97.7 AmeriCU Jim Boeheim Show live at Delmonico's
Sat./5:30              TK99/97.7 MBB vs. Iona