You guys probably don't want to see this, but the last possession set to Yakety Sax.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXh3t_MCWF4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXh3t_MCWF4
2013-2014 Syracuse Basketball: Same Zone, New Conference
- Thread starter LeftyTG
- Start date
Nope. 18 for 55 from the field did the trick.tims4wins said:The loss was cuz NC St had home court advantage, amiright?
Time to turn the page, get some rest, prepare for the big tournament, and get a shrink over to Cooney's dorm room stat.
If they were a #1 they might have had go through Florida & Kansas too. Absent upsets you always gotta beat high seeds... like #1 Indiana in the Sweet 16 last year, for example.
If we see a magical return to the way we were playing 6 weeks ago a F4 run is on the table. Otherwise we won't get past Saturday.
If we see a magical return to the way we were playing 6 weeks ago a F4 run is on the table. Otherwise we won't get past Saturday.
True. Rankings and seeds are all amorphous, especially this year. (Not exactly the easiest region, though.)
Thought this was kinda interesting. Of the AP top 15, 12 not only lost in conference tourneys -- but lost to lower-ranked teams. (Only Wichita State and Louisville won out and technically Duke lost to higher-ranked Virginia). 12 of the supposed top 15 teams in America were upset. Which means rankings means little in March, nobody doing seeding knows anything for sure, and anyone can be beat.
Edit: You're right Rossox. So, what's that? 10 of the top 15 got upset. Should be a topsy-turvy tourney.
Thought this was kinda interesting. Of the AP top 15, 12 not only lost in conference tourneys -- but lost to lower-ranked teams. (Only Wichita State and Louisville won out and technically Duke lost to higher-ranked Virginia). 12 of the supposed top 15 teams in America were upset. Which means rankings means little in March, nobody doing seeding knows anything for sure, and anyone can be beat.
Edit: You're right Rossox. So, what's that? 10 of the top 15 got upset. Should be a topsy-turvy tourney.
This is, in my mind, one of e most difficult SU tournament teams to predict that I've ever seen. If Cooney shoots well, they could get to the final four, especially as that zone gives teams that haven't seen it all kinds of fits.8slim said:
But if the offense struggles, yeah there's no way they survive the weekend.
For me, smart money is on the latter, which naturally is disappointing for me. But in no way do I think that the Orange CAN'T get it together.
I don't expect much out of Syracuse this tourney. Not really in the mood to quantify it. But needless to say I am going to celebrate each win, IF they get one, like it may be their last.
This first round game will be a nail biter and thats more of a reflection on the style Cuse plays then W. Michigan. Wish Boeheim would extend the 2-3 zone early in games, try to create more traps, play his bench a little more, speed up less athletic/slower teams. But thats just to the way Jimmy rolls, he's a HOF coach and we constantly win, but we really play to the level of our competition more then most of the top teams.
I'm sure Fair will right himself this weekend, but it's gonna be hard to go all-in emotionally until Cooney throws up at least a 12-15 point game.
F-it: I'm in. Let's see what happens! Sent my son to school in his 'Cuse
gear, wearing my own gear, and humming "The 'Cuse is in the house, oh my God, oh my God!" Could be they're due for a good streak here.
gear, wearing my own gear, and humming "The 'Cuse is in the house, oh my God, oh my God!" Could be they're due for a good streak here.
Rossox said:
Luckysox is already thinking ahead to blowing out Canisius after they hang the banner.
I don't want to get too excited after a win against an over matched team, but as mentioned this is a different team when Cooney is hitting shots. It baffles me how he still, three years in the program, has a tendency to lean backwards on his shot. When he gathers his feet and goes straight up, he's money. He just can't seem to shake the bad drifting habits that seep in now and again.
I think lost in all the negativity during the late season slide was Grant's injury. He was either ailing, sitting out completely, or getting back up to speed for most of the rough stretch. While Syracuse is a different team when Cooney is hitting, they are also a different team with a healthy, active, and aggressive Grant crashing the boards, getting dunks, and defending the rim. He has the benefit of not being the focal point of the defense the way Fair is, and he really exploits the lack of attention. It was good seeing him look normal again.
While Roberson looked every bit the deer in headlights freshman, and had a couple of defensive lapses, I love watching him on offense. He is good at darting into spaces, is an aggressive rebounder, and has a nice little shot and handle. When he gets stronger and the game slows down for him, I think he'll eventually be a better version of Fair.
Speaking of Fair, he was the one dark spot for me today. I know he had a double double and wasn't a disaster, but I remain discouraged by some of his decision making. WMU played a severely hobbled and undersized Brown on Fair for most of the second half and Fair wasn't really able to exploit it, settling for midrange jumpers. Admittedly, he hit his share of those, but I find it discouraging that he was unable to really generate offense for himself and others. A nitpick to be sure, but I just wasn't thrilled with his game today.
I think lost in all the negativity during the late season slide was Grant's injury. He was either ailing, sitting out completely, or getting back up to speed for most of the rough stretch. While Syracuse is a different team when Cooney is hitting, they are also a different team with a healthy, active, and aggressive Grant crashing the boards, getting dunks, and defending the rim. He has the benefit of not being the focal point of the defense the way Fair is, and he really exploits the lack of attention. It was good seeing him look normal again.
While Roberson looked every bit the deer in headlights freshman, and had a couple of defensive lapses, I love watching him on offense. He is good at darting into spaces, is an aggressive rebounder, and has a nice little shot and handle. When he gets stronger and the game slows down for him, I think he'll eventually be a better version of Fair.
Speaking of Fair, he was the one dark spot for me today. I know he had a double double and wasn't a disaster, but I remain discouraged by some of his decision making. WMU played a severely hobbled and undersized Brown on Fair for most of the second half and Fair wasn't really able to exploit it, settling for midrange jumpers. Admittedly, he hit his share of those, but I find it discouraging that he was unable to really generate offense for himself and others. A nitpick to be sure, but I just wasn't thrilled with his game today.
LeftyTG said:
Fair settles for too many jumpers if he can't drive left. He really needs to learn how to go right and finish right. If he can do that, he'll be very tough to defend.
Obviously his game isn't going to change anytime soon, but if he wants to be a legit pro, that needs to happen.
I agree on Grant. He has the potential to be a monster. His outside shot is already ok. Not great, but not bad. Solid mid-range jumper. And obviously his explosion and athleticism are off the charts. Very much reminds me of Hakim Warrick in that regard. Almost identical size and body type too.
All in all, a very solid first win. Get past Dayton (which won't be easy), and into the Sweet 16. Play it from there.
Everyone else sucks or is eh tonight, but Ennis is holding them together like gorilla glue until they get themselves righted.
The good news is that if they lose this game, I won't have to watch them brick a million jump shots next weekend. So there's that.
As a former player, I don't understand what the fuck you are supposed to do with your arms when you're attempting a move with the defender literally an inch from your face. This rule just baffles me.
that rule infuriates me. They made the same call against St. Louis in the earlier game. You actually incentivize the defender sticking his chin in there when the offensive player instinctively rotates. It is idiotic. Can't they distinguish between maliciously throwing elbows and just a normal basketball play?luckysox said:
Had a chance to pull away a bit there, now back down a bucket, need a couple straight stops here, time to announce their presence with authority.
Edit: Can't buy a bucket. Could be a rough last 4 minutes here.
Edit: Can't buy a bucket. Could be a rough last 4 minutes here.
Well, this game (did not matter the opponent or the round) was how we knew we'd exit. Could have been Thursday, could have been in 2 weeks. I am glad we at least got one good game in the tourney to remind me of what a fun season this was for awhile.
Watch out, Canisius. I'm gearing up for next season.
Watch out, Canisius. I'm gearing up for next season.
Ennis picked the worst time to break out his Scoop Jardine impression. That dribble dribble long range two with 10 seconds left was one of the dumbest shots I can remember anyone taking in a long time.
I didn't have super high expectations for this Syracuse team, given all the problems with offense. We can save the detailed analysis for another day. I can say that I'm surprised that Ennis, Cooney, Grant, and, to a lesser extent, Fair all no showed against a verrrrrrryyyyyyy mediocre Dayton team.
I didn't have super high expectations for this Syracuse team, given all the problems with offense. We can save the detailed analysis for another day. I can say that I'm surprised that Ennis, Cooney, Grant, and, to a lesser extent, Fair all no showed against a verrrrrrryyyyyyy mediocre Dayton team.
Awful performance. Horrid. Putrid. Terrible. How many synonyms can I use?
I will say this: on that last three point attempt, if he makes it, everyone lauds Ennis for having balls of steel, and tremendous guts. But because he missed, it'll go down as a bad shot.
I wish he had taken it to the rim on either of those last two possessions, because that's the only thing that was working all night.
I will say this: on that last three point attempt, if he makes it, everyone lauds Ennis for having balls of steel, and tremendous guts. But because he missed, it'll go down as a bad shot.
I wish he had taken it to the rim on either of those last two possessions, because that's the only thing that was working all night.
I get the 3 at the end to some extent - he may have thought he couldn't make it to the rim, and shit, it's not like 12 footers were falling. But that pull up before that - good God, it was something he just doesn't do. He makes good decisions. I was shocked at that. And I was SURE he was going to drive and get fouled, and maybe even make the lay-up. I was half way into my jump when he stopped and shot it...whaaaaaaaat?????? My dogs got a loud earful after that play.
The zone was still beautiful. They have got to find more consistency on offense for next year.
The zone was still beautiful. They have got to find more consistency on offense for next year.
The D was terrific. Dayton made quite a few lucky shots and still scored just 55. But you can't go 0-10 from three and have your best scorers be as bad as SU's were tonight and hope to win.
One reason I hope they have a longer bench next year is because in years past they'd run, run, run out of the zone. But this year they didn't because Ennis had to play almost every minute of every game due to the lack of a bench.
One reason I hope they have a longer bench next year is because in years past they'd run, run, run out of the zone. But this year they didn't because Ennis had to play almost every minute of every game due to the lack of a bench.