The Syracuse men’s and women’s basketball teams were both in action throughout the Winter Break. SU defensive end Chandler Jones declared for the NFL draft as the football team entered its offseason. Here’s a look at the top sports stories over the last month:

Dec. 12

Syracuse takes over the No. 1 ranking in the nation in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. The previous week, the top two teams in the nation — Kentucky and Ohio State — lost, paving the way for SU to ascend to the top spot.

Dec. 17

In its first true road game, and its first game since becoming the No. 1 team in the nation, Syracuse pulls away from North Carolina State late to win by 16. The Orange’s bench outscored the Wolfpack’s bench 46-4.

Dec. 27

SU announces the hiring of Leonid Yelin as volleyball head coach. He replaces Jing Pu, who was fired during his 17th season in October. Yelin had a long, successful run as head coach of Louisville from 1996-2010, taking the Cardinals to 14 NCAA tournaments.

Dec. 28

Syracuse begins Big East play with a blowout, defeating Seton Hall 75-49 behind a school-record 10 blocks by Fab Melo. The SU defense caused 23 turnovers, leading to 26 points for the Orange.

Dec. 30

Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones announces via Twitter that he will forego his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. If he gets drafted, he’ll join his brother Art Jones, a defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, in the NFL.

SU women’s basketball completes its nonconference slate with a 51-point win over Colgate. The Orange defeated Niagara by 51 in its game before that. Forward Iasia Hemingway paced SU in its rout of the Raiders with 31 points.

Jan. 5

Syracuse athletics announces that wide receiver Alec Lemon and cornerback Keon Lyn will miss 2012 spring football practice due to shoulder injuries. They will be evaluated during the spring to determine their status for the 2012 season.

Jan. 7

The Orange avenges its NCAA Tournament loss to Marquette last season with a 73-66 win over the Golden Eagles. Syracuse used a 19-0 run in the first half to take an 18-point lead into halftime and hold off Marquette’s late charge for the win.

The women’s ice hockey team ties conference powerhouse No. 5 Mercyhurst. The Orange dropped the series opener against the Lakers 8-4 a day earlier. Sophomore goaltender Kallie Billadeau made 33 saves in net for SU after allowing three goals and taking the loss in the opener.

The women’s basketball team wins its first Big East game with an 83-60 rout of Pittsburgh. Hemingway topped her career-high set against Colgate with 33 points against the Panthers.

Jan. 9

Syracuse linebacker Dyshawn Davis is named the Eastern College Athletic Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year. Davis established himself as one of the Orange’s top playmakers on defense, making 43 tackles and leading the team with 10.5 for a loss.

Jan. 12

The men’s lacrosse team holds its annual media day to kick off the 2012 season. The Orange is ranked No. 7 in the 2012 Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook Preseason Top 20. It’s the team’s lowest preseason ranking since 2008.

Jan. 14

Syracuse uses a 15-0 first-half run to blow past Providence, 78-55. SU improves to 19-0, tying the 1999-2000 team for the best start in school history.

The SU tennis team drops its season opener, 5-2, to No. 42 South Florida. The Orange has five freshmen on a team with just four returnees.

Jan. 15

The Orange women’s basketball team falls behind by 28 at halftime and loses 69-42 to then-No. 18 Georgetown. SU is just 1-4 in Big East play.

The football team picks up verbal commitments from kicker Ryan Norton and defensive lineman Josh Manley for the Class of 2012 on the same day. Both Norton and Manley visited SU this past weekend before committing.

—Compiled by The Daily Orange Sports staff

Published on January 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm