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.
