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.
