By John Kekis
The Associated Press

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim wears his best party hat while clutching the NCAA Championship trophy and net upon arriving in Syracuse, N.Y., Tuesday. Senior Kueth Duany follows (see zoom view). (AP photo) | ZOOM |

NEW ORLEANS - Decisions, decisions. Seconds after Syracuse defeated Kansas for the national championship, coach Jim Boeheim was pondering his team's future - and he probably wasn't alone.

"I was thinking about what we're going to do next year," Boeheim said after freshman Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara led the Orangemen to an 81-78 victory over the Jayhawks on Monday night at the Superdome.

Not only did Syracuse win its first title, the Orangemen produced their third 30-win season (30-5) in Boeheim's 27 years as coach of his alma mater.

But what's next? An encore? With Anthony or without him?

The fabulous freshman, who had 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, could declare himself eligible for the NBA draft. If so, he's certain to be a top pick, if not No. 1. He has until May to decide.

"That's his decision," Boeheim said. "I'm not going to make it for him. I'll talk to him."

Anthony said he's having too much fun and won't announce his decision until the semester winds down. "We're the national champs," he said after the game. "I had a fun year, a great year on the court and off the court in school."

Kansas coach Roy Williams is expected to make an even more eagerly anticipated decision. The North Carolina job is open, and Williams must make the hard choice between staying with the Jayhawks or taking over at his alma mater.

"Obviously, you want to avenge what happened this year," a teary-eyed Williams said after the game. "But right now, you just have to live the moment. Now we'll just go back to Lawrence and move on."

When the team returned home Tuesday, Williams and the players were greeted by fans at the Topeka airport.

Some held up a sign that made a reference to Williams' disparaging remark about the North Carolina job, when he uttered an expletive during a live postgame interview.

Kansas also must replace its best two players - Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich - among others.

Syracuse should be loaded with talent next season, even if Anthony leaves. Winning a national title won't hurt recruiting, either.

The Orangemen lose senior guard Kueth Duany, but they have three solid freshmen waiting to begin their careers: Louis McCroskey from New York, Terrence Roberts from Jersey City, N.J., and Boston-born Demetris Nichols.

McNamara, forced to play more at point guard because of Billy Edelin's 12-game suspension at the start of the season, will see more time at shooting guard. Against the Jayhawks, he hit most of his six 3-pointers from well beyond the arc.

"You know, he's pretty good," Boeheim said. "I think that he will come out of his shell a little bit more next year."

Returning as a junior will be 6-foot-8 forward Hakim Warrick, who blocked Michael Lee's 3-point attempt in the final two seconds. He was voted the Big East's most improved player after averaging 15 points and nearly nine rebounds.

Josh Pace, who had eight points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists in only 21 minutes against Kansas, also will be a junior. And Syracuse's centers - 7-foot center Craig Forth and shot-blocking specialist Jeremy McNeil - will return.

USA Today/ESPN Top 25

	Record	Pts	Pvs
1. Syracuse (31)	30-5	775	12
2. Kansas	30-8	742	6
3. Texas	26-7	694	5
4. Kentucky	32-4	666	1
5. Arizona	28-4	654	2
6. Marquette	27-6	626	11
7. Oklahoma	27-7	595	3
8. Pittsburgh	28-5	559	4
9. Duke	26-7	493	7
10. Maryland	21-10	384	17
11. Connecticut	23-10	371	24
12. Wake Forest	25-6	361	9
13. Illinois	25-7	345	10
13. Wisconsin	24-8	345	19
15. Notre Dame	24-10	333	20
16. Florida	25-8	309	8
17. Xavier	26-6	253	14
18. Michigan State	22-13	252	-
19. Louisville	25-7	244	13
20. Stanford	24-9	164	16
21. Butler	27-6	133	-
22. Missouri	22-11	122	25
23. Creighton	29-5	121	15
24. Oklahoma State	22-10	94	23
25. Dayton	24-6	81	18

Others: Gonzaga 73, Auburn 65, Miss. St. 59, Memphis 45, Cal 41, St. Joseph's 20, Utah 14, NC St. 9, Purdue 8, So. Illinois 8, Oregon 6, St. John's 4, Tulsa 4, Arizona St. 1, C. Michigan 1, Georgetown 1.

RPI Ratings

	W	L	Rating	Rnk	RPI
1. Kentucky	32	4	.5937	18	.6603
2. Syracuse	30	5	.6078	9	.6566
3. Oklahoma	27	7	.6336	2	.6537
4. Kansas	28	8	.6351	1	.6524
5. Arizona	28	4	.5902	21	.6504
6. Texas	26	7	.6217	5	.6488
7. Marquette	27	6	.6034	12	.6428
8. Pittsburgh	28	5	.5685	47	.6338
9. Georgia	19	8	.6282	4	.6302
10. Notre Dame	24	10	.6301	3	.6289
11. Duke	26	7	.5835	27	.6277
12. Wake Forest	25	6	.5764	36	.6265
13. Louisville	25	7	.5805	31	.6223
14. Missouri	22	11	.6217	6	.6167
15. Florida	25	8	.5746	37	.6140
16. Illinois	25	7	.5626	51	.6136
17. Oklahoma St.	21	10	.6079	8	.6124
18. Dayton	24	6	.5582	53	.6121
19. Utah	24	8	.5844	26	.6113
20. Xavier	26	6	.5486	62	.6095
21. Wisconsin	24	8	.5746	38	.6094
22. Stanford	24	9	.5792	32	.6064
23. Connecticut	23	10	.5833	28	.6044
24. BYU	23	9	.5813	30	.6030
25. Michigan St.	22	13	.6064	10	.5994
Other
36. Cincinnati	17	12	.6051	11	.5838