The moment he first appeared, the student section released four years worth of adulation. And it blew him away. Still 90 minutes away from his Senior Day ceremony, Gerry McNamara said he was already overcome with emotion.

So it wasn’t surprising when the tears flowed as he hugged his parents during the tribute. They haven’t missed a single game in his SU career. He didn’t want to let go of his mom, Joyce, because he didn’t want to pick his head up for all to see.

Yet with all the pressure of the country watching on national television and the backdrop of a recent Sports Illustrated player poll that labeled him the conference’s most overrated player and the biggest crybaby, McNamara delivered more than could be expected on Sunday against No. 4 Villanova.

He conquered a slow start to play one of his best games of the season with 29 points – the fourth-highest total at the Carrier Dome in his career – in SU’s 92-82 loss to the Wildcats. But like a majority of games this season, McNamara played to his good, yet limited, capabilities but was missing a supporting cast needed for victory.

Offensively, Demetris Nichols, who scored eight points on Sunday, has completely lost his shooting touch from earlier in the season. Twice against the Wildcats 3-point attempts went over the backboard.

On the other side of the ball, Eric Devendorf continues to post a negative number in hockey terms. Though his offense has improved – he scored 19 points on Sunday – he allows opposing guards more points than he puts up. He was one of the liabilities that allowed Villanova’s four starting guards to score 78 total points.

As his counterparts duly noted, McNamara’s not the star player who can do it all himself. But considering all the circumstances, he couldn’t have performed any better against one of the team’s that should receive a No. 1 bid to the NCAA Tournament.

‘He’s done everything he can do to get us to where we need to be,’ SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. ‘It’s disappointing we haven’t gotten him any help from guys that should certainly have been well-prepared to help him this year.’

Especially early in the game Sunday, McNamara and the team were affected at the start by the pregame festivities.

The ceremony started with a video montage that paid homage to his career highlights. He then walked to halfcourt and hugged Athletic Director Daryl Gross and Chancellor Nancy Cantor before McNamara’s parents. He then held up a framed jersey.

But then once the actual game began McNamara missed his first few shots and committed several turnovers as Villanova raced out to a 14-3 lead that actually proved to be the difference.

‘In the beginning I was so drained because I wanted to savor every moment,’ McNamara said.

But the Pride of Scranton eventually settled in, and so did his team. McNamara made 5-of-12 3-pointers and added eight assists. In the second half, he managed to deliver his signature in his final home game: He nailed 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions – the final with 3:04 left – to put Syracuse within five points, 83-78.

All in the face of national speculation. Orange assistant coach Mike Hopkins hadn’t read the recent Sports Illustrated, but said McNamara told him about it.

‘Gerry’s one of those guys like (Duke guard) J.J. Redick that people love to hate,’ Hopkins said. ‘He’s had a lot of success in his career and has struggled this year. Any time a champion struggles, people like to joust a little bit.’

But none of that was deserved on Sunday. People would have felt bad had he played poorly, but it would have been understood. The 33,633 fans came to see him score 29 points. And he did.

Sometimes athletes say their nerves disappear once the ball is in play, but McNamara acknowledged the emotions were there the whole 40 minutes.

‘I’m glad Coach took me out when he did because I’m not sure how much longer I could have held it together,’ he said.

Trouble was, like much of the season, none of his teammates wanted to help him. But years from now nobody in attendance will remember that. They’ll recall how their beloved Gerry, despite his limitations and distractions, didn’t disappoint.

Ethan Ramsey is the sports editor at The Daily Orange, where his columns appear occasionally. E-mail him at egramsey@gmail.com.

Published on March 5, 2006 at 12:00 pm