December 05, 2005
at last!
On Friday SU Basketball came out against Siena and finally got themselves a win, staying undefeated all-time against the Siena Saints, 96-77. The game involved a series of tension-breaking moments, as we the fans have been getting a little more worried about this team with every game. At last, the Orange looked like a real team again. Aside from the opening minutes of each half, the offense clicked, reassuring all SU fans that they won't have to suffer through two painful sport seasons in one academic year.
Syracuse was able to address their most pressing issue of the season thus far: consistency on offense. There was a flow to the game this time, as teammates found each other for open shots on nearly every possession and even knocked them down fairly regularly. Gerry hit 6 of 11 from three, improving to 30% from behind the line for the season. J. Wright played 23 quality minutes and picked up 8 assists (2 turnovers), providing the team with a true point guard who gives McNamara a chance to find his shots. Roberts was benched through much of the first half (which probably should have happened earlier in the season) and responded with a strong 2nd half, hustling on both ends and showing some serious athleticism with a mighty one-handed alley-oop jam that literally threw me back against my seat in awe and caused most spectators to whoop and yell each time the replay was shown on the jumbotrons. Boeheim planted Watkins next to Roberts throughout most of the first half and, although he didn't respond as effectively as Terrence, the center showed that he would no longer take his position for granted. At last, the team had a different feel to it, from the announcing of the starting lineup (subtract McCroskey, add Devendorf) to playing comfortably at the end, passing on easy points in favor of running out the clock.
Now, Siena doesn't exactly share the same level of defensive prowess as UConn or perhaps Texas, but the Orange used the game-speed opportunity to show that they are clearly becoming more comfortable with each other on offense. As a team they dished the ball underneath for easy buckets and created open shots on the perimeter with solid screens and quick passing. At last, the Cuse had a solid game from long range, hitting 12 threes at 46%, and the Roberts/Watkins duo was much stronger in the post, combining for 28 points and 14 rebounds.
Personally, I felt they were at their best with Wright running the point - whether it was because he allowed Gerry to spot-up more often or because of his speed and vision while handling the ball, the offense was more productive with the sophomore at the top of the key. This isn't a knock on McNamara, as he plays the point as well as or better than anyone, but when Wright is filling the role, the sum of the parts seems to be more effective. It's almost as if by putting Gerry at the 2 spot, the team gives itself another scoring option. Perhaps Boeheim is thinking along the same line, as he allowed the Utica product to tally the most minutes of his young career against the Saints.
The statistical improvements represent an important step in the team's effort to regroup after The Bucknell Disaster, but the most important result of the Siena game is the increased confidence coefficient. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Orange had a little bit of their swagger back - everyone on the floor seemed pleased to know that they aren't as bad as their worst losses, even if they may not be as good as their best win just yet (except McCroskey, who was visibly upset that Wright ran out the gameclock during the last two possessions instead of feeding him in the lane - perhaps he was determined to outscore Devendorf?). Up next is Manhattan on Wednesday, a team that SU has faced 2 of the last 3 seasons and seems to provide more competition than most Big East teams are able to muster in the Dome. They aren't as talented this time - no Luis Flores to wreak havoc on the zone - but they'll still do their best to prove they can play with the big boys, as SU is currently their only ranked opponent this season. Even so, I finally feel confident enough to pick the Cuse to win big over a less talented team. At last.
Syracuse was able to address their most pressing issue of the season thus far: consistency on offense. There was a flow to the game this time, as teammates found each other for open shots on nearly every possession and even knocked them down fairly regularly. Gerry hit 6 of 11 from three, improving to 30% from behind the line for the season. J. Wright played 23 quality minutes and picked up 8 assists (2 turnovers), providing the team with a true point guard who gives McNamara a chance to find his shots. Roberts was benched through much of the first half (which probably should have happened earlier in the season) and responded with a strong 2nd half, hustling on both ends and showing some serious athleticism with a mighty one-handed alley-oop jam that literally threw me back against my seat in awe and caused most spectators to whoop and yell each time the replay was shown on the jumbotrons. Boeheim planted Watkins next to Roberts throughout most of the first half and, although he didn't respond as effectively as Terrence, the center showed that he would no longer take his position for granted. At last, the team had a different feel to it, from the announcing of the starting lineup (subtract McCroskey, add Devendorf) to playing comfortably at the end, passing on easy points in favor of running out the clock.
Now, Siena doesn't exactly share the same level of defensive prowess as UConn or perhaps Texas, but the Orange used the game-speed opportunity to show that they are clearly becoming more comfortable with each other on offense. As a team they dished the ball underneath for easy buckets and created open shots on the perimeter with solid screens and quick passing. At last, the Cuse had a solid game from long range, hitting 12 threes at 46%, and the Roberts/Watkins duo was much stronger in the post, combining for 28 points and 14 rebounds.
Personally, I felt they were at their best with Wright running the point - whether it was because he allowed Gerry to spot-up more often or because of his speed and vision while handling the ball, the offense was more productive with the sophomore at the top of the key. This isn't a knock on McNamara, as he plays the point as well as or better than anyone, but when Wright is filling the role, the sum of the parts seems to be more effective. It's almost as if by putting Gerry at the 2 spot, the team gives itself another scoring option. Perhaps Boeheim is thinking along the same line, as he allowed the Utica product to tally the most minutes of his young career against the Saints.
The statistical improvements represent an important step in the team's effort to regroup after The Bucknell Disaster, but the most important result of the Siena game is the increased confidence coefficient. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Orange had a little bit of their swagger back - everyone on the floor seemed pleased to know that they aren't as bad as their worst losses, even if they may not be as good as their best win just yet (except McCroskey, who was visibly upset that Wright ran out the gameclock during the last two possessions instead of feeding him in the lane - perhaps he was determined to outscore Devendorf?). Up next is Manhattan on Wednesday, a team that SU has faced 2 of the last 3 seasons and seems to provide more competition than most Big East teams are able to muster in the Dome. They aren't as talented this time - no Luis Flores to wreak havoc on the zone - but they'll still do their best to prove they can play with the big boys, as SU is currently their only ranked opponent this season. Even so, I finally feel confident enough to pick the Cuse to win big over a less talented team. At last.
