December 05, 2005
same story, different loss
I started writing this entry by giving some stats detailing how ineffective the Orange offense was in the post tonight against Bucknell, giving special attention to the various disappearing acts put on by Watkins, Roberts and McCroskey (guess which one didn't play a single minute in the 2nd half...). I was just about to follow those points by noting how effectively the Bisons were able to execute their offense, aided by a Syracuse defense that failed to challenge and alter shots.
I deleted all of that stuff, though, because I don't think it's as relevant or important to the primary problem currently facing the Orange. It wasn't poor shooting statistics or a lack of points in the paint that caused the loss tonight. It wasn't a Bucknell guard stripping the normally ball-savvy McNamara at the top of the key late in the game and racing to the other end of the court for a lay-in. It wasn't poor coaching, though I would have given Josh Wright a few more minutes to run the offense if I were on the bench. I really don't think the reasoning behind the result of this game can be found in the morning boxscore.
In order for Syracuse to start winning close games, as this one was up until the 1 minute mark, they need to finish strong. In each of the losses thus far, the team slipped when they realized they had to score on every possession to maintain a lead. Each time they got anxious, they pushed too hard and missed their shots. They've had good chances to win both games, only to fall just short at the last minute.
Despite allowing the Bisons (who aren't even original enough to create their own logo) to shoot 53% and turning the ball over 16 times tonight, Syracuse still gave itself an opportunity to pull out a win. They had late-game momentum with a lead and a significant edge in talent. Unfortunately, they didn't capitalize and ended up on the wrong side of the final score. How? Again, as with the Florida game, there wasn't an SU player that was able to step up and hit the big shot. Just before losing the lead for good, the Orange were up 4 and managed to pick up a steal at the Bison end of the court. McNamara caught a quick pass in transition just beyond the 3-point line and had an open look to put the Cuse up 63-56 (and seriously dampen any hopes for a comeback). The shot looked good from our seats - he was squared and the ball left his hand smoothly, but it didn't fall, just rimming out. Instead, Syracuse failed to score on a series of possessions and Bucknell went on a 13-2 run, never looking back. That shot could have effectively ended the game - Bucknell was already reeling from two straight 3's by McNamara and Nichols, and probably wouldn't have been able to recover from a third. When it missed, though, the Bisons knew they still had life.
If Devendorf doesn't score 6 of the team's 8 points during that final run in the second game of the season, SU is 1-2 right now and he has yet to play inside Madison Square Garden. Fortunately, he saved the win, not to mention SU's RPI Strength of Schedule. This team doesn't look like they'll be blowing away the competition - they're going to have to win a lot of close games this year to stay in the race for the Big East title. To get such wins, the Cuse has got to find the player that can score when it's needed most. One of them has already done it once - is there anyone else?
I deleted all of that stuff, though, because I don't think it's as relevant or important to the primary problem currently facing the Orange. It wasn't poor shooting statistics or a lack of points in the paint that caused the loss tonight. It wasn't a Bucknell guard stripping the normally ball-savvy McNamara at the top of the key late in the game and racing to the other end of the court for a lay-in. It wasn't poor coaching, though I would have given Josh Wright a few more minutes to run the offense if I were on the bench. I really don't think the reasoning behind the result of this game can be found in the morning boxscore.
In order for Syracuse to start winning close games, as this one was up until the 1 minute mark, they need to finish strong. In each of the losses thus far, the team slipped when they realized they had to score on every possession to maintain a lead. Each time they got anxious, they pushed too hard and missed their shots. They've had good chances to win both games, only to fall just short at the last minute.
Despite allowing the Bisons (who aren't even original enough to create their own logo) to shoot 53% and turning the ball over 16 times tonight, Syracuse still gave itself an opportunity to pull out a win. They had late-game momentum with a lead and a significant edge in talent. Unfortunately, they didn't capitalize and ended up on the wrong side of the final score. How? Again, as with the Florida game, there wasn't an SU player that was able to step up and hit the big shot. Just before losing the lead for good, the Orange were up 4 and managed to pick up a steal at the Bison end of the court. McNamara caught a quick pass in transition just beyond the 3-point line and had an open look to put the Cuse up 63-56 (and seriously dampen any hopes for a comeback). The shot looked good from our seats - he was squared and the ball left his hand smoothly, but it didn't fall, just rimming out. Instead, Syracuse failed to score on a series of possessions and Bucknell went on a 13-2 run, never looking back. That shot could have effectively ended the game - Bucknell was already reeling from two straight 3's by McNamara and Nichols, and probably wouldn't have been able to recover from a third. When it missed, though, the Bisons knew they still had life.
If Devendorf doesn't score 6 of the team's 8 points during that final run in the second game of the season, SU is 1-2 right now and he has yet to play inside Madison Square Garden. Fortunately, he saved the win, not to mention SU's RPI Strength of Schedule. This team doesn't look like they'll be blowing away the competition - they're going to have to win a lot of close games this year to stay in the race for the Big East title. To get such wins, the Cuse has got to find the player that can score when it's needed most. One of them has already done it once - is there anyone else?
