By Euclid 419er

via rivals.com

A couple very interesting developments on the b-ball front today.  First, it was announced today that the Cedar Falls Cinderella, Northern Iowa, will be Syracuse’s first victim opponent of 2010.  You’ll remember Northern Iowa from such moments such as this.

Ali Farokhmanesh and company are slated for a November 12^th visit to the Dome.  Just a couple days ago, the great Dana O’Neil profiled the Panthers and how its Cinderella campaign featuring Farokmanesh’s jump shot, boosted a university. A heart-warming read.  I can’t wait to bring them down to Earth come November.

And as Andy Katz noted, it’s a solid first game for the Orange at home and that both teams are retooling, rather than rebuilding.  Part of Syracuse’s retooling effort got a big boost today.

Rakeem Christmas is signing with Syracuse. Fox Sports Jeff Goodman gets the scoop:

“I had a lot of great options, but I fell in love with Syracuse,” said Christmas, who took a visit to the school earlier this week. “I know a lot of the guys on the team and that made a difference in my decision. I also felt that I could fit in well with their system.”

As the Army’s Tom Sullivan has pointed out, signing Christmas would certainly soften the blow of missing out on Anthony Davis Jr.

The top center in the Class of 2011, he would be one heck of a fallback if he were to commit to Boeheim and his staff. If Davis does choose to take his talents elsewhere (and I’m not talking about South Beach), every Cuse fan should start hoping we’re celebrating Christmas early this year.

Deck the halls, my friends.