I'm starting to like this team (Syracuse)

[CoachC.]

I was really pissed about the way the season started after those losses to Wichita State and Drexel. No excuse for that on your home floor. The Oklahoma State loss, on a neutral floor, was tolerable.

But in all of those games, they just didn't seem organized on the offensive end, and weren't active enough on the defensive end. Not to mention the inside seniors (Mookie and Terrence) were really disappointing.

Well, the last couple of weeks they've really started to play better - and it's showing on the scoreboard. First, the BE opener against Pitt. Pitt won, but Cuse played a pretty decent game (especially on the defensive end), and Pitt had to rely on some tough 3-point shots as the shot clock expired to maintain the lead late.

At Marquette - a tough team to beat in their building - with the best player and the most harrassing defense in the conference. Syracuse stayed poised and saw it through to the win.

At Rutgers. The RAC isn't an easy place to play for anyone, and you have to beat the teams you're supposed to - SU did.

At home vs. Villanova....what a great 2nd half! Roberts was all over the place and these guys are starting to run the offense the way it's supposed to be run, instead of panicking and throwing up ill-advised shots 2 out of every 3 trips.

So, 3-1 in conference. The BE is definitely not as strong as it was last year, and there's no dominant team (even Pitt can be shaky). So, if they can just play consistent basketball like they have over the past two weeks, this team should be able to play around .700 basketball in the conference. And that would mean a nice seed in March.

[JLB]

Always love the Cuse!!!

[CoachC.]

Boeheim shuffling the starting lineup and going with Wright/Rautins at guard and bringing in Harris/Devendorf off the bench has been a GREAT move. Both sets give a completely different look and allow for different styles of play.

Other reasons for the improved play:
-More man-to-man defense. This team has the guards to play it.
-Hitting free throws. Still can be cold at times, but definitely more consistent - especially from the Roberts and Watkins.
-Watkins and Roberts (especially Watkins) actually taking the ball to the hoop and trying to score. Defenses have to respect them and that's opening up Nichols' and Rautins' jumpers.

And Demitris Nichols is one of the best "program players" we;ve ever had. Four years in the program - has improved every year - scores, plays defense, and leads by example. Who really realizes this guy is leading the Big East in scoring and shooting almost 50% from 3-point range (48 of 102)? Wow.

[CoachC.]

And, finally, because I'm feeling good and optimistic today.......

Taking a closer look at the losses:
-Wichita State (#46 RPI; #38 AP)
-Drexel (#36 RPI; #33 Coaches; #35 AP)
-Ok. State (#9 RPI; #10 Coaches; #9 AP)
-Pittsburgh (#3 RPI; #7 Coaches; #7 AP)

Of course Wichita State and Drexel aren't elite teams, and there's still no excuse for losing to them at the Dome. But those losses won't look as bad on the resume come March as some may have originally thought.

Also, because he was sick/injured, Devendorf played only 18, 19, and 17 minutes in the the first three losses.

And Matt Gorman, who's a huge part of the rotation, hasn't played since the new year started. The last four games. Once he comes back, he'll help even more.

Like I said, I understand they're still not an elite team, and the BE is down this year. But I'm starting to like what I see more and more each game. I'm encouraged right now.

[JerseyBillsFan]

.
At Rutgers. The RAC isn't an easy place to play for anyone, and you have to beat the teams you're supposed to - SU did.

It is this year. This year's team is so bad that they've sucked all of the life out of the place.
Consistently shooting 25-30% and doing it while playing a boring style of basketball can have that effect.

[BillyT92679]

And, finally, because I'm feeling good and optimistic today.......

Taking a closer look at the losses:
-Wichita State (#46 RPI; #38 AP)
-Drexel (#36 RPI; #33 Coaches; #35 AP)
-Ok. State (#9 RPI; #10 Coaches; #9 AP)
-Pittsburgh (#3 RPI; #7 Coaches; #7 AP)

Of course Wichita State and Drexel aren't elite teams, and there's still no excuse for losing to them at the Dome. But those losses won't look as bad on the resume come March as some may have originally thought.

Also, because he was sick/injured, Devendorf played only 18, 19, and 17 minutes in the the first three losses.

And Matt Gorman, who's a huge part of the rotation, hasn't played since the new year started. The last four games. Once he comes back, he'll help even more.

Like I said, I understand they're still not an elite team, and the BE is down this year. But I'm starting to like what I see more and more each game. I'm encouraged right now.
Great post as usual Coach.
This iteration of SU is akin to the last few years of the Bills. There is talent, but it just does not translate to be consistently winning. There has just been a lack of mental toughness I've never been enamored with Watkins, Nichols and Roberts, but they are finally starting to live up to some of the promise from before they started. I still think this is a Sweet 16 team at the very best, but there is definitely a seedbed here for greatness in the next year or two with the recruiting classes. Paul Harris will be tremendous with more polish.

[bcw]

Coach, would you say Paul Harris is playing well enough that he might consider making the jump to the NBA next season?

[CoachC.]

Coach, would you say Paul Harris is playing well enough that he might consider making the jump to the NBA next season?

Going into this season, everyone expected him to be one-and-done. Even Boeheim commented that he didn't expect to have Harris for more than a year.

If he wanted to go, he'd get drafted. And eventually, he'll probably do fairly well in the NBA because he's got the body and the athleticism.

But the biggest problem he has is his jump shot. It's pretty much non-existent. So, I really think he'd be better served to stay in school for another year (yes, I'm hoping, too) in order to improve that aspect of his game.

He's not even starting for SU right now. He comes in off the bench. Although that's more due to what the Wright/Rautins combo give the team to start the game than because he's doing something wrong. Jimmy likes to get Harris and Devendorf in together after a few minutes for a totally different look.......and it's been working.

So, yes I think he has the game. But, no I don't think he's quite as ready as he or anyone else thought he'd be.

[Jayhawk]

he's really right now an oversized PG with no shot.


now if he grew like 7 inches, he's a perfect PF

[bcw]

I don't put much importance into starting games. What really matters is who is on the floor at crunch time and Devendorf and Harris are there in the end.

What is your view on Devendorf. Do you think he has a chance at the next level?

As far as you assessment of Harris, I agree 100% about his jump shot being what is holding him back. What I love about him, though, is that he knows that the jump shot is his weakness and therefore he doesn't put up many out of control shots. He knows his role and he performs it well. Often freshmen will come in with a cocky attitude and play out of control and put up bad shots. I don't see that from Harris.

[CoachC.]

he's really right now an oversized PG with no shot.


now if he grew like 7 inches, he's a perfect PF

You're right, as far as his style of play.

But the funny thing is, Harris is actually a Small Forward. He is listed as a SF on the current roster, and Boeheim has said that that's where he will eventually make his mark on the program. (assuming Harris stays).

But he mainly plays a guard position right now simply because Demitris Nichols (the current SF) isn't coming off the court. He's too good.

So, at the NBA level, right now he'd be considered a "tweener." He's too small to play SF (6'5"), but not a good enough shot to play SG. At the college level that doesn't matter as much because there are so many things he can do better than most players, regardless of position. He's a terrific rebounder for his size.


As far as Devendorf, at least he has a true position at the next level. He'll be a SG. And although his jumper isn't great, it isn't bad, and it always seems to be getting better and better.

But his best asset is that he's just a natural scorer. He has a great ability to create his own shot off the dribble. He has THE BEST left hand I've ever seen for a right-handed player.

If Harris and Devendorf both stay to go along with Wright and Rautins next season, we'll have one of the best AND most experienced 1-3 spots in the nation.

[bcw]

Doesn't Harris play SF on defense?

[nyjunc]

Syracuse is awful this year, another horrible loss at St. John's the other day. All the good they accomplished in beating Marqueet and 'Nova was thrown out the window w/ that loss. that's the type of loss(along w/ Drexel) that will keep SU out of the Tourney and coming into the year i thought SU would be a Tourney team but I guess help is on the way w/ next year's class.

[CoachC.]

Syracuse is awful this year, another horrible loss at St. John's the other day. All the good they accomplished in beating Marqueet and 'Nova was thrown out the window w/ that loss. that's the type of loss(along w/ Drexel) that will keep SU out of the Tourney and coming into the year i thought SU would be a Tourney team but I guess help is on the way w/ next year's class.

Well, they're definitely not a top-25 team. But to say they're "awful" is just plain ignorant. However, I think you do it just for affect, because I know you're much smarter than that to actually believe that a team 4-2 and tied for 2nd place in the Big East (no matter how "down" it is) is "awful."

SU deserves to get ripped for losing at St. John's. But the Johnnies beat ND tonight, as well. So they obviously have some talent. I'm not too worried. The schedule sets up ok for Syracuse, considering the BE is a pretty average conference this season. At Louisville Saturday night is huge.

In any event, how many chips would you like to wager that Syracuse makes/doesn't make the tournament? Obviously I say they do.

[nyjunc]

Well, they're definitely not a top-25 team. But to say they're "awful" is just plain ignorant. However, I think you do it just for affect, because I know you're much smarter than that to actually believe that a team 4-2 and tied for 2nd place in the Big East (no matter how "down" it is) is "awful."

SU deserves to get ripped for losing at St. John's. But the Johnnies beat ND tonight, as well. So they obviously have some talent. I'm not too worried. The schedule sets up ok for Syracuse, considering the BE is a pretty average conference this season. At Louisville Saturday night is huge.

In any event, how many chips would you like to wager that Syracuse makes/doesn't make the tournament? Obviously I say they do.

The BE is not good this year(to be kind), SU has ONE win over a top 25 team. Awful might be stretching it but they are not good. They basically have 2 good performances all year- vs. Marquette and Villanova('nova is playing better now but they aren't a top team). In the past week they survived by a point over a bad cincy team and lost at St. john's- a team that was coming off 4 straight losses


1,000? 5,000? let me know, I have watched SU and they are not a To9urney worhty team, they still have a chance b/c the BE is down this year but I don't think they'll make it unless they have a miracle run to the BE title like they did last year.

[CoachC.]

The BE is not good this year(to be kind), SU has ONE win over a top 25 team. Awful might be stretching it but they are not good. They basically have 2 good performances all year- vs. Marquette and Villanova('nova is playing better now but they aren't a top team). In the past week they survived by a point over a bad cincy team and lost at St. john's- a team that was coming off 4 straight losses


1,000? 5,000? let me know, I have watched SU and they are not a To9urney worhty team, they still have a chance b/c the BE is down this year but I don't think they'll make it unless they have a miracle run to the BE title like they did last year.

Let's do 1,000.

You're an upstanding dude - so there's no need to put it anywhere other than in this thread. I'm sure either of us will pay up if we lose. Just confirm it with me here and we're good to go.

[nyjunc]

Ok, we are all set. 1,000 chips.

[Orange Nation]

I'll bet 5,000 nyjunc (That SU Makes the Tourney).

[nyjunc]

I'll take that as well.

[Wojo1203]

haha Coach, Cuse just lost to my BOYS!!! Louisville...i loved it, especially cause my buddy is a huge Cuse fan, dont get me wrong, when Cuse isnt playing Louisville...i root for em, funny story i was dt, at Jim's Steakout, late at night about 2 or 3 weeks ago...Paul Harris was there, of course my buddy is obsessed so he was practically licking his butt, but i said that he was a very good player, wished him luck and ended it with "but im not gonna lie...im a HUGE Louisville fan", he replied "yea they n up and coming team...real young"

[CoachC.]

haha Coach, Cuse just lost to my BOYS!!! Louisville...i loved it, especially cause my buddy is a huge Cuse fan, dont get me wrong, when Cuse isnt playing Louisville...i root for em, funny story i was dt, at Jim's Steakout, late at night about 2 or 3 weeks ago...Paul Harris was there, of course my buddy is obsessed so he was practically licking his butt, but i said that he was a very good player, wished him luck and ended it with "but im not gonna lie...im a HUGE Louisville fan", he replied "yea they n up and coming team...real young"

I was literally sick to my stomach after watching that game - blowing a 14-point lead and not hitting one single FG in the last 9:30 of the game. To make matters worse, a half-hour later the Sabres blew a lead and lost, too.

But all is not lost. Tonight at the Dome against ND is huge. After this game, the rest of the schedule is favorable for us. So, going 5-3 into the stretch will look very nice. But even at 4-4 - they will still have a good shot to make a late-season run and wind up with a good BE conference record.

About Lousiville.....it was funny. Cuse held Palacios without a bucket the entire first half and half-way through the second. The minute he made his first shot is the exact minute their run began and Syracuse went totally cold. That was a big win for Louisville. The BE Tourney should be exciting this year. Even with Pitt and Marquette, it's still wide open.

[MLLE2383]

OUCH......Cuse gives up 61 points in the 1st half, down by 19......Not looking good

[CoachC.]

Someone remind me to never start a thread like this again!

The first half against ND was one of the most embarrassing performances I've ever witnessed for Syracuse. We just gave up 61 points in the first half!!

Horrible, horrible defense. But, as bad as the defense was, I have tyo say holy shit Notre Dame can freaking shoot! 2 different players with three 3-pointers and 10/17 on treys in the first half. Wow! We can't even play 2-3 zone because they're just shooting so well.