February 21, 2006
recovery on defense
I know it's been a full week since the last post, but I have a few good excuses to offer in defense:
1) I simply didn't have the heart to rip into the team following Wednesday's loss to Cincy. Being at the Dome that night felt more like a funeral than an NCAA Basketball game. The second half that night was absolutely the worst 20 minutes of Syracuse basketball I have ever witnessed, and it had nothing to do with the score. My team had given up without a fight, and it was truly disturbing to watch. For the first time ever, I actually wanted to join the mass exodus at the five minute mark (we didn't, though I don't know why). I would have gladly taken a 30 point loss over that one, as long as the Orange showed any kind of passion and drive to win. They (and the crowd) simply accepted their fate soon after that half started and waited for the seconds to tick off. Completely and utterly listless. Ugly.
2) By the time the weekend arrived, (and I had moved on to a more optimistic outlook on the season) I found myself planted in front of my Uncle Howaboutabudski's new 44" plasma screen in New Haven, having lost all use of my legs. As I look back on the past few days, I think I spent 85% of my time either watching or discussing sports in front of that wonderful technological feat of artistry and love, only taking breaks for quick runs to the cooler or catching a wink or two. Needless to say I was unable to post any sort of comments after Saturday's ESPN Gameday hack party, (59? Really!?) because it would've been unthinkable leave that monitor all by itself. Besides, we were having too much fun pausing the game to see if Fast Eddie or Ace were picking their noses in the fourth row. I could write an entire column on how HDTV is going to change the sporting world as we know it. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.
3) I was actively avoiding the task of figuring out the NIT schedule to see if Syracuse would get a home game. Thankfully, I won't have to. Why? Because the Orange beat a ranked opponent.
THE ORANGE BEAT A RANKED OPPONENT!!
1) I simply didn't have the heart to rip into the team following Wednesday's loss to Cincy. Being at the Dome that night felt more like a funeral than an NCAA Basketball game. The second half that night was absolutely the worst 20 minutes of Syracuse basketball I have ever witnessed, and it had nothing to do with the score. My team had given up without a fight, and it was truly disturbing to watch. For the first time ever, I actually wanted to join the mass exodus at the five minute mark (we didn't, though I don't know why). I would have gladly taken a 30 point loss over that one, as long as the Orange showed any kind of passion and drive to win. They (and the crowd) simply accepted their fate soon after that half started and waited for the seconds to tick off. Completely and utterly listless. Ugly.
2) By the time the weekend arrived, (and I had moved on to a more optimistic outlook on the season) I found myself planted in front of my Uncle Howaboutabudski's new 44" plasma screen in New Haven, having lost all use of my legs. As I look back on the past few days, I think I spent 85% of my time either watching or discussing sports in front of that wonderful technological feat of artistry and love, only taking breaks for quick runs to the cooler or catching a wink or two. Needless to say I was unable to post any sort of comments after Saturday's ESPN Gameday hack party, (59? Really!?) because it would've been unthinkable leave that monitor all by itself. Besides, we were having too much fun pausing the game to see if Fast Eddie or Ace were picking their noses in the fourth row. I could write an entire column on how HDTV is going to change the sporting world as we know it. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.
3) I was actively avoiding the task of figuring out the NIT schedule to see if Syracuse would get a home game. Thankfully, I won't have to. Why? Because the Orange beat a ranked opponent.
THE ORANGE BEAT A RANKED OPPONENT!!
A week after making the case that the Cuse would have to beat Cincinnati and Louisville because they had "proven themselves to be incapable of" outplaying a better team, I'm happily eating my words. The Orange played exceptional defense tonight, holding the 72.3 ppg Mountaineers to just 58 points with exceptional perimeter pressure and a tight zone. West Virginia shot the ball fairly well overall, (41.8% - they average 45.2% on the season) but SU just didn't allow them to get off enough shots to pull ahead. When the zone was at its best tonight, the West Virginia shooters were completely unable to get an open look. As Boeheim said after the game, the offense wasn't very good again but the defense was able to win the game anyway.
The hustle and determination shown by the Orange tonight reminded me a lot of the games from the early part of the season. When this team first started playing together, it was the defense that was producing victories. After a mostly dominating 14-2 start, the Cuse won their first three Big East games by an average score of 76-65. From January 16th to this past Wednesday, though, Syracuse went 2-6 and gave up 76.9 points per game while scoring 68.6. The average score in the two wins over Louisville and WVU? 70-62, Cusetown. It seems the Orange are going to score about 70 points per game regardless of who they play (aside from any game that takes place in Connecticut) and in order to win the must step it up on the defensive end.
Like I said, after watching that Cincinnati game I was convinced the team was going to end up 6-10 and overtake Kentucky in the race for the most disappointing season. Instead, the players took the Bearcats' unchallenged victory to heart and decided they wouldn't let it happen again. Thankfully, the Cuse managed to put their zone back together during the two days of practice and they came out ready to show that all was not lost. Yes, Gerry and Demetrius struggled again tonight - something that should be fixed before March 5th comes around - but that only shows that this team can win without their scoring.
If Syracuse can continue to play this kind of defense through the rest of the season, it won't matter where the points are coming from. My guess is that we'll start to see a better team effort in general, as the players will have realized they can only win by playing Boeheim's 2-3 in the way it is meant to be played: with intense hustle and teamwork. If we're lucky, the Orange could use their newfound cohesion to actually find what they've been looking for all season: an identity.
February 15, 2006
big week for the big dance
With a 5-5 conference record and six games to play before the Big East Tournament, this week looks to be the most important two-game stretch of the season for the Orange. Suddenly, these home games against Cincinnati and Louisville have been elevated right to the edge of "must win" status for Syracuse if they're going to keep themselves in position to make the NCAA Tournament.
SU will face three Top-20 opponents during these last half dozen games, and all three contests figure to add another tally to the Orange loss column. Regardless of what just transpired in New York, (a huge win, with McNamara shaking off the injuries and an MVP double-double from Mookie) Syracuse still isn't good enough to beat #11 West Virginia (too skilled), #17 Georgetown (too physical), or the Husky-slayin' Villanova Wildcats (too Final Four). It would be an incredible finish to Gerry's career and a true exclamation point on his jersey retirement resume if Syracuse is able to upset Jay Wright's Cats on March 5th, but it at this point it seems more likely that the 33,000-plus people will be settling for a losing effort to go with the new record.
After accounting for those three losses, Syracuse must beat Cincy (2/15), Louisville (2/18), and DePaul (3/2) to finish with that ever-important 8-8 conference record. If they can get to .500, I believe they'll finish tied with Marquette for 7th place and earn the 8th seed for the Big East Tournament (according to the Big East's rules for tie-breaking, Marquette would get the 7th seed since they beat UConn earlier in the season). Syracuse's NCAA status will be in good shape by that point, as it looks like Notre Dame (2-8) should win five of their last six to earn the 9th spot and the right to play the 8th-seeded Orange in the first round. If this dream comes true, SU will beat the Irish (again) for their 21st win, thus solidifying a 9 or 10 seed in the NCAA Tourney.
It is very possible for Syracuse to make it to The Dance - even with a 2-25 record against the RPI Top-50 and a few of the worst performances this side of Savannah State - but I really think they'll need the 8-8 record to do it. Of the remaining games, this week offers the best chance for back-to-back wins, so the Cuse must capitalize. Hopefully by winning a few games in succession they'll regain a little rhythm on offense and prepare for the stretch run. If they end up slipping to 7-9, they'll be forced to upset a better team in the postseason to make the NCAAs - something they've proven themselves to be incapable of accomplishing so far.
Right now we as fans may want to consider setting that new record on Wednesday or Saturday, because it looks like these two games could decide whether we'll be watching the Cuse as they shoot for the RCA Dome on CBS or while they limp towards Madison Square Garden again on ESPN2.
SU will face three Top-20 opponents during these last half dozen games, and all three contests figure to add another tally to the Orange loss column. Regardless of what just transpired in New York, (a huge win, with McNamara shaking off the injuries and an MVP double-double from Mookie) Syracuse still isn't good enough to beat #11 West Virginia (too skilled), #17 Georgetown (too physical), or the Husky-slayin' Villanova Wildcats (too Final Four). It would be an incredible finish to Gerry's career and a true exclamation point on his jersey retirement resume if Syracuse is able to upset Jay Wright's Cats on March 5th, but it at this point it seems more likely that the 33,000-plus people will be settling for a losing effort to go with the new record.
After accounting for those three losses, Syracuse must beat Cincy (2/15), Louisville (2/18), and DePaul (3/2) to finish with that ever-important 8-8 conference record. If they can get to .500, I believe they'll finish tied with Marquette for 7th place and earn the 8th seed for the Big East Tournament (according to the Big East's rules for tie-breaking, Marquette would get the 7th seed since they beat UConn earlier in the season). Syracuse's NCAA status will be in good shape by that point, as it looks like Notre Dame (2-8) should win five of their last six to earn the 9th spot and the right to play the 8th-seeded Orange in the first round. If this dream comes true, SU will beat the Irish (again) for their 21st win, thus solidifying a 9 or 10 seed in the NCAA Tourney.
It is very possible for Syracuse to make it to The Dance - even with a 2-25 record against the RPI Top-50 and a few of the worst performances this side of Savannah State - but I really think they'll need the 8-8 record to do it. Of the remaining games, this week offers the best chance for back-to-back wins, so the Cuse must capitalize. Hopefully by winning a few games in succession they'll regain a little rhythm on offense and prepare for the stretch run. If they end up slipping to 7-9, they'll be forced to upset a better team in the postseason to make the NCAAs - something they've proven themselves to be incapable of accomplishing so far.
Right now we as fans may want to consider setting that new record on Wednesday or Saturday, because it looks like these two games could decide whether we'll be watching the Cuse as they shoot for the RCA Dome on CBS or while they limp towards Madison Square Garden again on ESPN2.
February 11, 2006
wait till next year
I laid off on posting an entry after the UConn game, mostly because I was finding it difficult to approach the results with any kind of original thought. It seemed like anything I came up with would have already been obvious to even the most casual of sportsfans - anyone who watched that game surely would've developed the same in-depth analysis I did: the Syracuse Orange basketball team just isn't very good this year.
That's about it, really. No matter how much I try to look for the hidden improvements, (including Watkins' giant two-game leap from "Painful to Watch" to "Nearly Above Average" status) the final score still remains, effectively extinguishing any hope of a bright spot. SU was trounced yet again, and yet again it was because they failed to make shots when necessary. Even from the start, when they actually built a mini-lead on the Huskies, it was apparent that the Cuse would be lucky to hit the backboard Wednesday night. McNamara, Nichols, and Devendorf - the top three scorers on the team at tip-off - combined to make 4 of 500 jumpshots, aiding Connecticut's efforts to build a lead with an endless supply of Orange brick and mortar. It was a difficult game to watch for anyone, as Syracuse didn't even look like they belonged in the arena. Yes, UConn could put a similar whoopin' on Isiah's $125 million New York Knicks at this point, but that doesn't excuse the Orange from at least acting like a Division 1 program.
So, as I stewed over the game, trying to figure out some way to extract the smallest amount of positive momentum heading into Sunday's visit to The Garden, I realized that I had spent the entire first half of the season without tapping one of the game's most reliable sources: my Uncle Bud! Uncle Bud (aptly named for a certain king of spirits, of course) has been following the team as usual this season and had dropped a few lines via the email network regarding the fate of our Orange squad after their latest bout with mediocrity (my uncle ardently maintains his Syracuse alma mater allegience, though he resides in New Haven and it would be much easier on his nerves if he were to join the rest of his traitor-household in their devotion to UConn nation).
Uncle Bud's comments basically boiled down to two key points: 1) That was the worst performance by a Syracuse team in years - the game was like comparing "HDTV to Kinescope." 2) The Orange need to get a huge boost from the recruits next season, or we're all in big trouble.
He's right. I've had numerous conversations regarding both of these points after every loss this season, whether they're with my father, Fast Eddie, my gal, or even our waiter at Chili's. Each time we discuss the team, it seems like they're actually getting worse as the season progresses. We can make all the typical excuses about strength of schedule (SU's is currently the 7th toughest in the nation) and the one-day turnaround, but the results speak for themselves. When a team is consistently down by 15-20 points every game they just aren't on the same level as their opponents, even if they can mount a garbage-time comeback. It's a difficult place to be, as it's been a long time since I've felt such little hope for Syracuse's chances in the tournament, (anyone else having Todd Burgan flashbacks this week?) but it's something we all predicted.
At the same time, though, Point Number Two can bring us hope and anticipation. It's sad that we feel we already have to look towards next year, but it's encouraging to know that the Orange will only get better with the addition of Paul Harris and Mike Jones (WHO!? Mike Jones!). Look at it this way: with every disappointing loss, we get closer and closer to the sure-fire success of the 2006-'07 season. If this team can survive the year with most of its members intact, (adios, Louie!) they'll be in excellent shape to get their full revenge on the Huskies, Wildcats, and Panthers of next season.
That's about it, really. No matter how much I try to look for the hidden improvements, (including Watkins' giant two-game leap from "Painful to Watch" to "Nearly Above Average" status) the final score still remains, effectively extinguishing any hope of a bright spot. SU was trounced yet again, and yet again it was because they failed to make shots when necessary. Even from the start, when they actually built a mini-lead on the Huskies, it was apparent that the Cuse would be lucky to hit the backboard Wednesday night. McNamara, Nichols, and Devendorf - the top three scorers on the team at tip-off - combined to make 4 of 500 jumpshots, aiding Connecticut's efforts to build a lead with an endless supply of Orange brick and mortar. It was a difficult game to watch for anyone, as Syracuse didn't even look like they belonged in the arena. Yes, UConn could put a similar whoopin' on Isiah's $125 million New York Knicks at this point, but that doesn't excuse the Orange from at least acting like a Division 1 program.
So, as I stewed over the game, trying to figure out some way to extract the smallest amount of positive momentum heading into Sunday's visit to The Garden, I realized that I had spent the entire first half of the season without tapping one of the game's most reliable sources: my Uncle Bud! Uncle Bud (aptly named for a certain king of spirits, of course) has been following the team as usual this season and had dropped a few lines via the email network regarding the fate of our Orange squad after their latest bout with mediocrity (my uncle ardently maintains his Syracuse alma mater allegience, though he resides in New Haven and it would be much easier on his nerves if he were to join the rest of his traitor-household in their devotion to UConn nation).
Uncle Bud's comments basically boiled down to two key points: 1) That was the worst performance by a Syracuse team in years - the game was like comparing "HDTV to Kinescope." 2) The Orange need to get a huge boost from the recruits next season, or we're all in big trouble.
He's right. I've had numerous conversations regarding both of these points after every loss this season, whether they're with my father, Fast Eddie, my gal, or even our waiter at Chili's. Each time we discuss the team, it seems like they're actually getting worse as the season progresses. We can make all the typical excuses about strength of schedule (SU's is currently the 7th toughest in the nation) and the one-day turnaround, but the results speak for themselves. When a team is consistently down by 15-20 points every game they just aren't on the same level as their opponents, even if they can mount a garbage-time comeback. It's a difficult place to be, as it's been a long time since I've felt such little hope for Syracuse's chances in the tournament, (anyone else having Todd Burgan flashbacks this week?) but it's something we all predicted.
At the same time, though, Point Number Two can bring us hope and anticipation. It's sad that we feel we already have to look towards next year, but it's encouraging to know that the Orange will only get better with the addition of Paul Harris and Mike Jones (WHO!? Mike Jones!). Look at it this way: with every disappointing loss, we get closer and closer to the sure-fire success of the 2006-'07 season. If this team can survive the year with most of its members intact, (adios, Louie!) they'll be in excellent shape to get their full revenge on the Huskies, Wildcats, and Panthers of next season.
February 02, 2006
game of the year
There's almost too much to talk about in this game. Wow. On a day when Greg Robinson solidified what is truly his first recruiting class and begins what should be a much brighter future for Syracuse football, (Delone Carter deserves a mention tonight, regardless of what Mr. Roberts did for us) Jim Boeheim and the Orange basketball team went ahead and gave us their game of the year.
Tonight's victory against the Scarlet Knights is right up there with last year's 60-57 comeback win over Notre Dame (SU down 11 with 6:00 to play on Break the Record Night), 2004's 49-46 overtime triumph in Pittsburgh (their first loss at The Pete), and my absolute favorite, the Jeremy McNeil Game, a 67-65 win over the Panthers that coincidentally came three years ago, to the day. When I think of the 2006 regular season, today's 86-84 over Rutgers will be the game that comes to mind, The Terrence!? Game (February 1st also doubles as my mother's birthday - I think she's good luck for the team. Jimmy B. should make a point to schedule UConn every year on this date - it's a guaranteed win. Happy birthday, Mom!).
Like I said, there's almost too much to talk about. First and foremost, Mookie's back. I officially feel comfortable referring to the starting center by his nickname again, as the big man came through in the clutch tonight with some shot-altering defense, a few key rebounds, and the two most important free throws of the new year (both coming during the same trip to the line, even!). Though the focus of this game is going to be placed on The Terrence Three, Gerry's "deep thigh bruise," Devendorf's relentless drives to the hoop, and Josh Wright's play at the point, (including the two HUGE triples to keep SU in it and his game-winning assist) I really feel that the play of Watkins on the inside during the final 10 minutes deserves some respect and praise.
If Darryl just kept up his normal routine of "standing there and watching the other guys go for the ball," as Jay Bilas observed during the Villanova game, he wouldn't have drawn that foul after Devendorf's missed three late in regulation. If Watkins doesn't go after that rebound with every bit of intensity he can muster, his right arm doesn't get pulled down by Jimmie Ingles and he doesn't get the chance to go to the line and put the Orange up one. Darryl "Mookie" Watkins - Mister Stonehands, a 45% free throw shooter this season - went 5 for 6 from the stripe tonight, but he really helped his team by playing aggressive enough around the rim to get fouled. And, on top of all that, the reigning King of Hack played the last 8 minutes of gametime with 4 fouls, keeping his two five-fingered slabs of granite off the other players' appendages. Yes, he missed another dunk tonight, but without him there's really no overtime and this game goes to Rutgers.
Also, I gotta say, How 'bout that Demetrius Nichols!? When this kid is on his game, I feel like he's an NBA player. I know it sounds outlandish right now but since he started blowing up for 20 points between tip and halftime, I've realized that this is a 6'8" guy with a very reliable mid-range game and a solid stroke from the outside. He's very quietly dropping 16 points per game, bringing down 6.5 rebounds, and shooting 38% from the outside. Over the last 10 games or so, he's also proving that he can create some space before shooting, often using a fake on the perimeter before taking a step inside to knock down a jumper. There isn't a team in The League that wouldn't want a player with his size and skill set - he just needs more time to refine them.
Nichols took over the game for Syracuse in the first half tonight, making sure they could have a lead at the break by going shot-for-shot with Quincy Douby (watching the way Douby played tonight, I almost felt sorry for him when they lost... well, maybe not). Of course Demetrius cooled off for the final 25 minutes - allowing Wright and Devendorf to start their own assault on the scoreboard - but he continued to make a significant impact on the game. The SU small forward did his part through the rest of the evening by constantly playing tough defense. Not only did he have to spend a good deal of time face-guarding Douby, but he had to do so while being the only player from either team who was on the floor for the entire 45 minutes.
During one chaotic sequence in the final two minutes while the ball was endlessly zipping up and down the court without hitting the nets, Nichols played defensive stopper by poking the ball away from a Knight guard to create a steal, making the monstrous catch-him-from-behind block on Douby's lay-up, and finally forcing the ball out of bounds during a 3-on-Demetrius so Syracuse could set their defense. Nichols had a lot of fire tonight, showing some real promise on both ends of the court. I wouldn't be surprised to see him putting up 18pts and 8 rebs for the Orange next year, even with Paul Harris dropping in 20 of his own.
The highlights of this game are really going to be what everyone remembers next year (or even tomorrow morning). When Terrence Roberts knocks down the game-winning three, Darryl Watkins is golden from the stripe, and the two youngest guards play like they've been here forever, it's a game worth remembering. Aside from all that, though, the important thing is that they won with the best player on the bench, succeeding in areas where they had previously failed. These guys were forced to learn how to win with an unfamiliar lineup, using team toughness and determination to pull it out. Yes, they made big shots, but they were only able to do so because they had made plays to put themselves in a position to make them. The highlights give us exciting memories for the future, but it's the smaller, less-recognized performances that make this win a crucial piece of the Orange's development in 2006.
