MIAMI - When your program hasn't won an NCAA tournament game in five years, fatigue doesn't become much of a factor.

Many - myself included - questioned how Syracuse would respond physically after their draining Big East title game run in which the Orange logged seven overtimes and played four games in four days.

"We're young, 21 and 22 years old," Syracuse junior Paul Harris.

Jonny Flynn logged 181 minutes over four games in the Big East tournament and is playing about as well as any point guard in the nation these days.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim played his star point guard 38 minutes in a first-round win against Stephen F. Austin on Friday afternoon that was never close.

"I'm good," Flynn said after the victory. "My legs are fine. Unlike the Big East, we've got a day off now. Maybe I'll sit out at the pool a little bit."

Flynn has been the recipient of some good-natured ribbing from guys like Louisville's Terrence Williams, UConn's Hasheem Thabeet and even Davidson's Stephen Curry over the summer because he had yet to win a game in the Big Dance.

"Stephen's quiet, but even he got into it," Flynn said. "It feels great right now. ... To get back to the NCAA tournament and win a game is big for the program."

This is a 'Cuse group that had been to two straight NITs before getting back into the Big Dance this season. Prior to that, the Orange lost twice in a row in the first round of the NCAA tournament - to Vermont and Texas A&M.

"I don't think we have too many guys that have played in the NCAA tournament," Harris said. "We certainly weren't going to come out flat - especially after seeing teams struggle yesterday. We didn't want to be in a close game."

Notes: Syracuse reserve forward Kristof Ongenaet said he could have played against Stephen F. Austin - if the game had been close. He was vomiting Thursday night and sat on the bench. "I was weak and Coach (Boeheim) didn't want to play me. I'll be back Sunday for sure."