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Orange Basketball

Centerfield Nov 01 2005 11:16 AM

This year's squad starts off with an exhibition game tonight. Preseason rankings have them at #16 but I can't help but wonder if that might be a bit high. Lots of potential but there are also lots of question marks...are Roberts, Nichols, Watkins etc, going to develop into what they were supposed to be? Or will they remain underwhelming? Is Devendorf the goods? I don't know what to make of this team...I wouldn't be surprised if this team made a nice run or March or missed the tournament altogether. At the very least, it should be interesting.

ScarletKnight41 Nov 01 2005 11:21 AM

What? You're not calling this Freakin' Rutgers anymore? I'm very disappointed.

Willets Point Nov 01 2005 11:41 AM

They have to lose to Rutgers first.

Elster88 Nov 01 2005 12:28 PM

All basketballs are orange. Go UConn.

Willets Point Nov 01 2005 01:13 PM

Not in the ABA: Therefore there will be no discussion of ABA basketball in this thread.

MFS62 Nov 02 2005 07:37 AM

We still must remember the ABA. But it deserves its own thread. Did I hear right? The ferrett (Boeheim) got thrown out of the 'Cuse exhibition game? Later

Methead Nov 02 2005 11:15 AM

Looks like McNamara had a great game. He's gonna need to do it a lot this year. Devendorf played decently as well. Nice to see Boeheim playing a freshman. I watched this kid play on ESPN in some McDonald's All American whatever game. He looked awesome. Shoots like McNamara and can go to the rim himself too. I read that Roberts left the game with a knee problem... I don't like that.

Centerfield Nov 02 2005 12:28 PM

They say the injury is not serious..

Methead Nov 04 2005 10:20 AM

Devendorf had 16 points off the bench last night. Wouldn't surprise me to see him as the point guard before too long.

Centerfield Nov 04 2005 12:51 PM

Coach is real high on Devendorf...says he will be the top freshman in the league. Looks like Roberts played as well, so the injury doesn't appear to be serious. Where's soupcan?

Methead Nov 04 2005 01:55 PM

Did you notice Bill Rapp died? [url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/news-0/113109742681950.xml&coll=1]Link to the article here.[/url]

cooby Nov 07 2005 09:50 PM

Why is there a two week gap between the first and second game?

Centerfield Nov 08 2005 10:54 AM

I'm not sure I understand yoru question coobs. They played two exhibition games last week. Season Opener is tonight.

Centerfield Nov 08 2005 11:10 AM

Methead, I saw that. It's a shame...he was only 65. My father mentioned that Rapp Senior died just a few months ago too. People might wonder why a local car dealer's death would be noteworthy, but if you grew up in the area, you couldn't go anywhere without seeing his name. And he was one of Boeheim's best friends.

cooby Nov 08 2005 11:18 AM

The schedule I have shows them playing Bucknell on Nov 22 as their next game. That seems funny

Centerfield Nov 08 2005 11:22 AM

The schedule: http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/wide/index.ssf?/orangebasketball/content/schedule.html And where is your friend soupy?

Elster88 Nov 08 2005 11:24 AM

There are waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many teams in this league.

cooby Nov 08 2005 11:31 AM

That schedule is much more complete than mine And I don't know

Methead Nov 08 2005 02:26 PM

Wow, I thought there was only one Bill Rapp. Didn't realize the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament was in NYC. I wish I'd planned ahead for it. Maybe I'll try craigslist for some tix.

Centerfield Nov 08 2005 11:13 PM

Cuse rolls in its opener. Gotta feel good about the balanced scoring. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=253120183

Methead Nov 09 2005 08:52 AM

Yeah, everybody got a chance to play last night, and they all contributed. Nichols looks like this year's breakout star so far, even more so than McCroskey. If he keeps draining outside shots, he'll help the team. Watkins needs to keep blocking shots and staying out of foul trouble too. Boeheim will figure out a way to make it all work.

Centerfield Nov 10 2005 11:48 AM

Syracuse hangs on to beat Cornell. A good sign is that they managed to find a way to win after going 1 for 19 from three-point range. A bad sign is that they went 1 for 19 from three-point range.

Methead Nov 10 2005 12:28 PM

Must have had lots of rebounds off all those misses. Roberts and Nichols both had double-doubles. Why can't McNamara shoot anymore?

soupcan Nov 18 2005 09:55 AM

And now for some good news from the Syracuse sports scene: Syracuse 81 Texas Tech 46

Centerfield Nov 18 2005 10:26 AM

Methead, did you get a chance to go see them? I caught the game on TV. The defense looked better than I've seen it in years, probably the best effort since they shut down Hollis Price and Oklahoma during the '03 title run. Nichols and McCroskey look like they finally have a clue what they're doing out there and Roberts and Watkins have really stepped up their rebounding and defense. Offensively, despite yesterday's point total, it still looks like they will struggle to score...they rely too much on the outside shot and they have no real presence inside. Unless the defense creates running opportunities, like it did yesterday, I can't see this team reaching the 70's very often once league play starts. Devendorf looks like he's going to be pretty good, and this kid Onuaku is a fucking house. Looks like it'll be a fun team...a flawed team, but I definitely think they are a tournament team. And who knows, if things break right, maybe even the Sweet 16.

Methead Nov 18 2005 05:21 PM

I was going to grab tickets, but I'm glad I didn't.... the game didn't even start til almost 10. I wouldn't have gotten home until 2 AM or something. So I was right there with you on ESPN, as I will be tonight. You know, tonight will be the first time facing Florida since they beat 'em in the '87 NCAA tournament? I didn't realize that. All I can remember from that game is the name "Schintzius". Everybody looked great last night. Devendorf caused Dick Vitale to hyperventilate the whole night. His shooting stroke looked a little odd, like he was spinning the ball sideways or something, but if it goes in, who cares. And he's got great moves to the hoop. I had thought going into the year that SU would be undersized, but with Watkins at 6'11" and this kid Onuaku, maybe they'll be OK.

soupcan Nov 19 2005 03:06 PM

Looers last night but it was my first look at them. Nichols. Me likey. McNamara HAS forgotten how to shoot! Devendorf. Me likey him too but those have got to be the ugliest tattoos I've ever seen. Look like some random dude took a sharpie to this pale man.

Rockin' Doc Nov 19 2005 08:42 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 28 2005 07:24 PM

Soupcan - "And now for some good news from the Syracuse sports scene: Syracuse 81 Texas Tech 46" Good game for the Orange. As a Duke fan I salute you. I enjoy it any time Bobby Knight gets his head handed to him. I think Devendorf will be a pretty good player for Syracuse. He looked pretty good in the McDonald's All Star game this spring. I know it's scary when a great shooter like McNamara goes cold, but I think he should be alright. He's been too good for too long to suddenly lose it. I haven't seen Syracuse yet, but hope to catch them on ESPN soon. As long as some one (or two) can give them the inside presence they lost with Warrick's departure, they should be fine. Granted, they're big shoes to fill, but if one or two guys can give them that inside scoring, rebounding, and shot blocking they should have a pretty good year. Edited for typos.

cooby Nov 23 2005 10:11 AM

Whoa, Bucknell beat Syracuse

Centerfield Nov 23 2005 10:44 AM

It's official. They suck.

soupcan Nov 23 2005 11:48 AM

Sometimes shit happens. This team will be fine.

Methead Nov 23 2005 11:59 AM

Bucknell isn't bad. They knocked off Kansas in the tournament last year. Syracuse isn't used to having decent opponents this early in the season! It's a nice change, as a fan.

cooby Nov 23 2005 12:10 PM

Bucknell is just a few miles from where I live so I was kinda excited last year when they went to the tournement

Centerfield Dec 01 2005 12:19 PM

Against edgy's alma mater, the Orange blow a 24 point lead, then overcome an 11 point deficit in the last two minutes to force OT. The Orange prevail in OT 87-82. This year's version, if nothing else, is exciting.

Methead Dec 01 2005 03:02 PM

Seeing that they gave up 61 points in the second half makes me wonder if they were even on the floor at all. Apparently Watkins got in foul trouble and Manhattan just went inside all night... let's hope that's not a pattern. Looks like MacNamara found his shooting stroke in the nick of time, too.

Edgy DC Dec 01 2005 03:17 PM

Manhattan is the conference favorite, starting off 0-3.

Methead Dec 21 2005 11:21 PM

They blocked SIXTEEN SHOTS against Illinois-Chicago tonight. Watkins led the way with 7. Holy crap.

Edgy DC Jan 06 2006 11:37 PM

Marty Glickman tribute. I don't know what student journalist wrote that, but saying Marty Glickman made the 1936 Olympic team and leaving it at that is getting less than half the story. Glickman was also in On the Road. Shouldn't a tribute with Stan Isaacs on the panel have somehow gotten the key details to the writer?

soupcan Jan 16 2006 02:57 PM

UConn at Syracuse. Tonight. 9:00pm. ESPN. Be there.

Elster88 Jan 16 2006 03:12 PM

I will. 56 inch LCD with HDTV at my pad, you're all invited.

Methead Jan 16 2006 03:34 PM

I love that you're Butch "Huskey" for that post.

Methead Jan 16 2006 10:04 PM

Well then. I don't see Syracuse being able to outscore UConn by 20 in the 2nd half. I guess I'll watch anyway. SU can't get anything going... tough to do when everything's getting blocked. But the turnovers and the offensive fouls and the technicals aren't helping either. Good thing I have beer. And now an SAT analogy for your Monday... Rashad Anderson : Orange :: Pat Burrell : Mets

soupcan Jan 16 2006 10:07 PM

soupcan wrote: UConn at Syracuse. Tonight. 9:00pm. ESPN. Be there. 45-25 at the half. 'Be there'? What moron thought this would be a good game?

Methead Jan 16 2006 10:09 PM

Good thing we didn't go over to Elster's place.

Rockin' Doc Jan 16 2006 10:20 PM

Absolutely brutal first half for Syracuse. Hard for me to watch, I can only imagine the gut wrenching frustration involved for Syracuse fans. I think I'll skip the second half of this game and get some sleep.

cooby Jan 16 2006 10:22 PM

Anything can happen

Methead Jan 17 2006 08:54 AM

Well, SU made it look close on paper but it really wasn't in reality. Calhoun's teams just know how to defeat the zone defense in a halfcourt game, or they simply beat it down the floor before it can set up. They can play it either way. Plus, they are always able to shut MacNamara down, and without him, SU is a different (worse) team. It looked like Rautins played some quality minutes toward the end, and McCroskey had a great game, although I wanted to see more of Devendorf driving into the lane and trying to draw fouls, especially in the first half.

Elster88 Jan 17 2006 09:29 AM

I've always wondered why out of conference teams get so destroyed by the 2-3. In my NCAA tournament bracket, I usually underestimate how far Syracuse will go because I've seen them in the regular season and been unimpressed. But other teams look so inept facing the zone, it's like they didn't know it was coming even though Syracuse has been running it since time out of mind. UConn has gotten embarrassed by SYU in the past too, though. And they both obviously know what to expect of each other. I guess it might just depend on how well a team is shooting that night.

MFS62 Jan 17 2006 10:10 AM

Elster88 wrote: I guess it might just depend on how well a team is shooting that night. 88 , I think you may just have stumbled onto one of the little known keys to success in basketball. Any night UCONN can beat the ferret's team is a good night. Later

Elster88 Jan 17 2006 10:12 AM

MFS62 wrote: ="Elster88"] I guess it might just depend on how well a team is shooting that night. 88 , I think you may just have stumbled onto one of the little known keys to success in basketball. LOL, yeah I guess shooting is important. But my first point still stands. I've seen teams absolutely traumatized by the 2-3 zone to the point that they take more threes than twos because they don't know how to get a good look from inside. You'd think some teams would be practicing for this defense before the game starts.

Elster88 Jan 17 2006 10:16 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 17 2006 04:00 PM

Reason #432359873 why atheletes are idiots. In the first half McCroskey dunked impressively on Armstrong's head. Armstrong tried to take a charge and fell backwards. McCroskey took a step to stand over Armstrong and stared at him for five seconds, showing the world that he was hot stuff. The score after that basket: Connecticut 42, Syracuse 21 Edit: grammar

Centerfield Jan 17 2006 11:00 AM

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Syracuse's center and power forward will need to score more than 3 points combined if they are to have any success this year. Ugly line for Watkins/Robers: 3 pts, 10 rebounds, 10 fouls.

Edgy DC Jan 17 2006 11:10 AM

The coach of the Jaspers claimed last year would be a struggle, but he was getting commitments for a strong freshman class for 2005-2006. Well they held up to last year's end of the bargain, as the team went 15-14, but the new class were slow to assert themselves this season, and the team started 0-4. Call off the panic, they're now 10-4 with the sixth longest win streak in the nation, and a perfect 6-0 in conference. So much for fattening yourself up in the early season. The J's have been playing a much stronger non-conference schedule of late.

Elster88 Jan 17 2006 11:23 AM

Where's that Manhattan basketball thread?

Elster88 Jan 17 2006 11:23 AM

J/K, I ain't no threadcop.

Methead Jan 17 2006 03:51 PM

"McCroskey took a step to stand over Armstrong and stared at him five seconds" Yeah, I don't like that stuff either. Sometimes it's tough to remind yourself that they're still just kids, really. Hopefully Boeheim will kick his ass in practice.

MFS62 Jan 17 2006 04:25 PM

Methead wrote: Hopefully Boeheim will kick his ass in practice. I don't think he attends practices. He spends that time practicing arguing with referees. Later

Methead Jan 17 2006 05:53 PM

Did he run over your dog or something? I mean.... find me a basketball coach who doesn't argue with refs.

MFS62 Jan 17 2006 06:44 PM

Methead wrote: Did he run over your dog or something? I mean.... find me a basketball coach who doesn't argue with refs. I don't watch much college hoops on tv any more, just the tourney. Many years ago, 'Cuse was in a key game in the tourney and the difference was one or two points, with less than a minute to go in the game. A timeout was called. I expected the coach to be in the player's huddle as they planned strategy. Nope. The players took their seats on the bench and Boeheim yelled at the refs for the entire duration of the time out. Then, as the whistle blew, he turned to the players going back onto the court, waved his program(or some rolled up papers), and (you could read his lips) said "go get 'em". I don't remember who won. But I remember a coach not coaching his team when you'd think he should have been. And many times since I've seen him do the same thing in similar situations, with the 'Cuse record in those games about .500. Arguing with the refs is the way I'll always remember him. I don't have a dog. Later

Elster88 Jan 17 2006 10:07 PM

He seems extra whiny to me, but sometimes I figure maybe I just get theat impression because of the way he looks. I've seen him go nuts when SYU was beating SUNY Binghamton by 35 with a minute left.

MFS62 Jan 18 2006 07:13 AM

Elster88 wrote: He seems extra whiny to me, but sometimes I figure maybe I just get theat impression because of the way he looks. I've seen him go nuts when SYU was beating SUNY Binghamton by 35 with a minute left. His team beat up on SUNY Binghamton? No wonder I don't like him. As for the way he looks, that's why I nicknamed him "The Ferret". Later

Methead Jan 23 2006 09:35 AM

Doesn't get any easier for SU tonight, facing Pittsburgh. Let's see if they can avoid spotting an opponent 20 points in the first half this time.

soupcan Jan 23 2006 10:34 AM

I thought they were going to come back all the way against 'Nova the other night. Nice try but I guess runs like that take quite a bit out of a team.

Methead Jan 23 2006 09:54 PM

The struggles continue. That was a very tough bunch of teams to face all in a row, but it's not necessarily going to get any easier. Roberts is trying valiantly, but there's no one else to help him up front. Watkins has his moments, but I'm pretty sure he'd foul ME if I drove to the hoop. Hell, I could be 20 feet away from the basket. I like Devendorf a lot, even though he's a little punk. He could learn a lot from MacNamara... unless he's the type who thinks he's got nothing to learn. edit: "The Panthers went to the free throw line 35 times and scored 23 points, while the Orange finished 3-of-5 from the line for the game." Not gonna win very often, giving up 20 points at the free throw line.

Centerfield Jan 24 2006 01:46 PM

We shot 60% from the line? Awesome!

Centerfield Jan 24 2006 02:00 PM

Excerpts from an email from my brother who is pretty fired up today: how do watkins and roberts suck so badly? how they be completely incapable of making layups. i mean, it defies logic. i feel like their shooting percentage is actually less than pure chance. were i to close my eyes and blindly throw basketballs at a hoop i'd score more often than them. man, i gotta stop watching these games

Methead Jan 29 2006 06:58 PM

Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Methead Feb 01 2006 10:18 PM

Wow, they got freakin' lucky at the Dome tonight.

ScarletKnight41 Feb 02 2006 07:58 AM

Freakin' Syracuse....

Centerfield Feb 02 2006 08:43 PM

Wow, that shot reminded me of the banked 3 pointer that triggered the Freakin' Rutgers thread. Except this time we won. This of course means Rutgers is going to win the National Championship.

ScarletKnight41 Feb 02 2006 09:38 PM

;)

Willets Point Feb 02 2006 10:41 PM

Freakin' Northeastern!!! (I was in attendance at this historic matchup tonight).

HahnSolo Feb 07 2006 11:23 AM

Have the Orange officially opened up a residence on...The Bubble?

soupcan Feb 07 2006 11:24 AM

If not they're definitely casing the joint.

Methead Feb 07 2006 02:10 PM

I'd say they're sitting on it. At this point, I think the best they can hope for is 19, MAYBE 20 wins. 19 wins would leave them 8-8 in the conference, and in a very tough conference, I suppose that's respectable. They've been left out of the tournament with 20 wins before, I believe... and this year could be similar. They really need to upset someone down the stretch... they haven't beaten anyone good all year.

Rockin' Doc Feb 07 2006 11:23 PM

Whew!!!* DUKE 87 =cyan]UNC 83 *This is the basketball thread, so I put this here.

Elster88 Feb 08 2006 08:28 AM

UConn hosting the Orange tonight. 9:00. ESPN. My pad.

soupcan Feb 08 2006 08:56 AM

="Rockin' Doc"]Whew!!!* DUKE 87 =cyan]UNC 83 I watched a bit of that. It's always the teams that you absolutely do not want to lose to no matter how bad they are and how good you are that give you the most agita.

Rockin' Doc Feb 08 2006 08:18 PM

Captain - "It's always the teams that you absolutely do not want to lose to no matter how bad they are and how good you are that give you the most agita." Exactly. I prefer to go about my day in silent satisfaction following a victory in the big game, than endure a day of trash talking from the UNC faithful after a loss. I received 4 e-mails from 4 different UNC fans today, each talking trash about Duke. One claimed Duke was lucky and promising a "humiliating ass kicking" ass kickin' in the season finale on Duke's home court, another claimed that the refs stole the game from Carolina by Duke "getting all the calls". One questioned Redick's sexual preference (ala Piazza) and the final one was the classic "Duke still sucks" in big bold letters. Pure class I tell you. Too bad some of the UNC fans can't take a page from their coach and show some class in defeat as well as victory. I think the job Roy Williams has done with his young team is truly remarkable when you consider all personnel his team lost since last season. As Syracuse fans, what is the one team you truly do not wish to lose to? I'm guessing it would be UConn, but I'm curious if that's the case.

soupcan Feb 08 2006 09:30 PM

I'm sure for the contemporary 'Cuse fan it's UConn, but for me its Georgetown. A Syracuse - Georgetown tilt was always heated and well contested. Now that the Hoyas seem to be on the rise hopefully that rivalry will gain momentum again. Being in NYC I hate losing to St. John's also but that hasn't really been a problem recently.

Rockin' Doc Feb 08 2006 10:42 PM

St. Johns was my second guess due to the New York connection. You just had to bring up Georgetown didn't you. John Thompson II does seem to have that program on the road to recovery. I think one thing that really adds to the heated rivalry between Duke and UNC is their proximity. There is roughly 8 miles between the two campuses. Students of both schools frequently take individual courses on the other school's campus. The players often know one another and frequent many of the same establishments.

Methead Feb 09 2006 09:23 AM

Let's see... SU didn't make shots, didn't rebound, and didn't play defense last night. Not a surprise they got torched. They're so afraid to drive the lane against UConn... 9 trips to the foul line in 2 games. Anyway, speaking of Georgetown, I think I still have a game on tape from 1990, the first year in a long time that they had beaten G'town twice in the same year. I've got the whole sports section from the next day's Herald-Journal, too.

Elster88 Feb 09 2006 11:11 AM

]They're so afraid to drive the lane against UConn Not a totally unjustified fear.

Methead Feb 09 2006 11:55 AM

Well, no... but you gotta at least try to go in there and get the shot-blockers in foul trouble.

Rockin' Doc Feb 09 2006 09:44 PM

UConn is absolutely loaded this season. They are without a doubt the most talented team in the country. Now that Marcus Williams is back from his suspension, the Huskies should be heavy favorites to win the NCAA title in March. As a Duke fan, I must say that I think the polls now have the two teams ranked in the proper order. The Huskies aren't unbeatable, but it will take a great effort by a very good team in order to defeat them.

Methead Feb 10 2006 02:00 AM

Yup. And Williams didn't even play much in the Syracuse game.

Centerfield Feb 12 2006 02:57 PM

Cuse leading St. John's at halftime. Plenty of good seats still available.

Elster88 Feb 12 2006 05:31 PM

It's still weird to me that UConn has some of the best big men in the nation. Until Okafor joined the team, UConn usually had its best players at shooting guard or small forward. Donyell Marshall played power forward, but Ray Allen, Chris Smith, and later Carron Butler were the type of players that UConn went to in crunch time, and they sometimes suffered against bigger teams. Even when they won their first title, the best two players on the team were Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin at point. In the early ninties they put athletic players at center who were undersized who didn't go pro, like Rod Sellers. Later, they tried out hard-working giants with limited basketball skills (Travis Knight or Jake Voskuhl) who were tall enough to be backups in the NBA. It was a shock the first time, I think in Okafor's junior year, that UConn was one of the top teams in blocks.

Elster88 Feb 13 2006 10:57 AM

#1 UConn at #4 Villanova tonight. Big Monday. ESPN. 7:00.

soupcan Feb 13 2006 03:33 PM

Go Wildcats!

Methead Feb 13 2006 03:44 PM

Nova better shoot the lights out. I mean that literally. Maybe they'll have a chance in the dark. I don't think they've got much of an answer for Armstrong and Boone down low. Should be a fast-paced game though. You'd think both teams are gonna run like crazy.

Rockin' Doc Feb 13 2006 10:30 PM

Villanova 69 UConn 64 Great game. Amazingly, the huskies actually outshot Villanova (46% to 41%) for the game. Villanova more than made for the rebounding edge that UConn enjoyed by not turning the ball often often and they had 13 steals. The most amazing thing to me is that Villanova actually held their own with UConn when it came to scoring in the paint. I don't think the Huskies took advantage of their size advantage down low. The Villanova guards were too quick for many of the UConn players to hang with on the perimeter.

soupcan Feb 13 2006 10:31 PM

Didn't see the game, were the lights on?

Methead Feb 13 2006 10:53 PM

Shows you what I know. Heh.

Elster88 Feb 14 2006 08:55 AM

The Huskies choked the game away. Up by 12 with around 10 minutes to go. They missed all their foul shots down the stretch, including the front end of some one-and-ones. Nova had a huge edge in 3's too, and started lighting it up and went on a 17-2 run when UConn pushed the lead to 12. Not to take too much away from Villanova. They are a very good team (for today's NCAA, that is), and will be a force down the stretch. I still think UConn is the better team, and they come to Hartford next Saturday. After the post game interviews, two drunken college girls came up to Nova's head coach while the entire campus was storming the court (I hate when places do that for a game in February.) One of them threw her arms around him and planted a big one on his cheek. As the camera pulled away, you could see him put his arms around both girls. Interesting.

Centerfield Feb 14 2006 10:49 AM

What a game by 'Nova. You get the feeling they might do something special this year.

Methead Feb 16 2006 09:12 AM

Syracuse might need to run the table, at least the rest of the regular season, to make the NCAA tourney at this point. A big late-season loss, at home, to a team you should beat is the sort of thing the committee tends to remember. Coupled with the fact that SU doesn't really have any big road wins of their own, it would seem the bubble they were sitting on has burst. For now. Maybe they somehow steal that win at home against Nova on the last day of the season... they'll be motivated at least. A huge crowd will be there for MacNamara's final game. On the other hand, if they weren't motivated last night, when will they be? I don't like it, but I gotta root for G'town to beat Marquette tonight and at least drag them down to SU's level.

soupcan Feb 16 2006 09:15 AM

Little bit of booing going on at the Dome last night. Guess the good will from 2003 is pretty much used up.

Centerfield Feb 16 2006 11:18 AM

Five year grace period. Five year grace period. (repeat as necessary)

Methead Feb 20 2006 08:55 PM

Just when I've almost given up on these guys, they beat Louisville and West Virginia back-to-back. No doubt playing at home is a big help, but still... two big wins.

Elster88 Feb 20 2006 09:45 PM

I imagine they'll be dancing this March.

Elster88 Feb 20 2006 09:45 PM

Is anyone else having trouble understanding the outpouring of love for Eddie Sutton? It's only dumb luck that he didn't kill someone driving around in his drunken stupor.

soupcan Feb 20 2006 10:29 PM

An old, drunk coach? Please - tell me something new. With the wins against L'ville & the Mountaineers (do you like apples Rockin' Doc?), the Cuse has removed itself from the bubble. One of my hoops memories from my undergraduate days at SU was a game at the Dome when Louisville came in with Pervis Ellison. Buncha Cardinal fans made the trip north and I was talking to this older black (African-American?) gentlemen prior to the game about each team's chances. Old guy starts wagging his finger at me, looks up to the heavens ans says "Never nervous, not with Pervis". It was the first time I heard 'Never Nervous Pervis'. I thought it was awesome. I think Cuse won that game.

Frayed Knot Feb 20 2006 10:31 PM

Guys like Sutton who have been there for a million years are likely to have more than a few buddies among those who are charged with commenting on him, meaning you're about as likely to hear anti-Bush rhetoric at a Republican convention as you are hearing someone from within college hoops taking on a long-term coach. Even the notoriously kind and gentle golf media are tougher on PGA players than the college hoops "journalists" are on their fraternity.

Elster88 Feb 21 2006 12:34 AM

Frayed Knot wrote: you're about as likely to hear anti-Bush rhetoric at a Republican convention Not as uncommon these days as it used to be, from what I've been reading recently.

Elster88 Feb 21 2006 12:38 AM

This was a duplicate post. But the delete button is missing. Has this option been removed? As of this edit no one has posted a reply, so I thought I could delete this.

Rockin' Doc Feb 21 2006 08:03 AM

Syracuse is starting to play better ball. They still need to win a few more games to assure themselves of an NCAA bid. An upset of Villanova in the regular season finale at the Dome would be huge for them. First they will need to deal with Georgetown on the road. No easy task, as I know all too well. Boeheim needs to figure out what Roberts ate before the WVU game and feed him a steady diet of it. He will need to play big against Georgetown. McNamara has to regain his touch after a horrendous shooting night (2-14) against WVU, otherwise Syracuse's bubble will surely burst. Soup, the Mountaineers live and die by the three pointer. When they are raining them in from all angles, they have the potential to beat any team in the country. If a team can contain their looks from behind the arc or the Mountaineers simply go cold, then they are highly vulnerable, as Marshall's Thundering Herd demonstrated earlier in the year. When I hear commentators name WVU as one of the six or eight teams capable of running the table in the NCAA Tournament I have to question their sanity. The team is dangerous on any given night, but they are too one dimensional to string together 6 straight wins come tournament time.

Elster88 Feb 21 2006 08:52 AM

]Soup, the Mountaineers live and die by the three pointer. When they are raining them in from all angles, they have the potential to beat any team in the country. I agree with that. Saw it first hand on Saturday. More evidence that the three point line needs to be backed up, if Indiana's run a few years ago wasn't enough. ______________________ This post had the designation 63) Bernard Gilkey

Methead Feb 21 2006 08:56 AM

They made 12 three-pointers last night. Usually that's plenty to beat Syracuse. Problem is, they missed a ton of them, and only had 6 offensive rebounds. Furthermore, they somehow didn't get to the free throw line the entire game. I only saw the last 1:33, so I can only look to the box score here. But whatever SU did on defense, hopefully they can keep doing it.

Centerfield Feb 21 2006 11:08 AM

The zone was active last night...harassing the ball-handler, trapping, getting into the passing lanes...a couple of times WVU had no idea how to break it and just launched a three at the expiration of the shot clock. They played well, but if WVU hits a couple of makeable 3's, that game turns out much different. Roberts and Watkins played well (for them), but I think it had more to do with WVU's lack of inside presence more than any merit on their part. Jimmy keeps saying this team will go as far as their big men take them. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will be that far. Devendorf looks like the real deal. I can't wait to watch him improve over the next few years. So long as he calms down and learns to make better decisions, he could really become a player. McNamara looks hurt.

Elster88 Feb 26 2006 11:31 AM

Villanova coming to UConn country today. 2 PM. No party today, I'll be watching from the treadmill.

Elster88 Feb 26 2006 03:22 PM

It's amazing that broadcasters don't realize that UConn is a running team. When they're flying up and down the court with Villanova, they're not playing "Villanova's game". Actually, it amazes me when anyone besides Billy Packer says this. Billy Packer is a moron and is expected to say dumbass things.

ScarletKnight41 Feb 27 2006 10:04 PM

Meanwhile, Freakin' Rutgers wins the Women's Big East regular season championship! ]RU Women Defeat UConn, 48-42, to Capture BIG EAST Regular-Season Championship February 27, 2006 PISCATAWAY, NJ - Cappie Pondexter scored a game-high 26 points as Rutgers rallied from a 26-8 first half deficit to defeat Connecticut, 48-42, Monday night at the RAC. The Scarlet Knights (24-3, 16-0 BIG EAST) wrapped up their second-straight BIG EAST regular-season championship by holding the Huskies (26-4, 14-2) to only 12 second half points.

Methead Mar 02 2006 04:03 PM

At Depaul tonight. I expect a win, which would give Boeheim yet another 20-win season. It's still no guarantee they will get into the NCAA tourney, but I'm sure they will. Big game at home against 'Nova... McNamara's final Dome game. It's sold out, which is apparently the first time that's happened in the history of the building. Can that be? If so, it's astonishing. They've had over 30K in there for basketball before... Saturday's crowd will be out of control.

Methead Mar 03 2006 08:18 AM

Depaul, Depaul... why have you forsaken me? A biblical loss last night. I really need to stop "expecting" things. Damn. You think SU was looking past Depaul a little bit? Wow... they couldn't do anything right. And Depaul did everything right. Every rebound, every loose ball, they shot something like 75% in the 2nd half. Including draining about seven 3-pointers when they were already up by 25 points... but whatever. They probably would have scored 100 anyway, the way Syracuse was "playing defense". That 20-win season is in serious jeopardy now. The NCAA tournament is probably a pipe dream without a win against Villanova on Sunday... Gerry McNamara... in like a lion, out like a lamb.

Elster88 Mar 03 2006 09:26 AM

Anybody interested in doing a Crane Pool Forum Bracket Challenge? We can do one on Yahoo. Free and fun. I can set it up.

soupcan Mar 03 2006 09:46 AM

Can you say 'Orange Whipped'? If you go for the bracket thing Elster, I'm in.

Farmer Ted Mar 03 2006 10:50 AM

The Sponges went to the game last night. We wouldn't have been shocked to see DePaul pull it out over the Orange. But holy shat. Never expected to see the Demons shoot nearly 60 percent from 3-point range. When the opponent's 10th man gets in and tomahawks a dunk, you showed up to play on the wrong night. SU's largest loss ever under Boeheim.

Centerfield Mar 03 2006 12:03 PM

Five year grace period. Five year grace period.

Rockin' Doc Mar 03 2006 02:02 PM

I think a bracket contest could be fun.

Methead Mar 06 2006 09:53 AM

MacNamara goes out fighting. There were a few times in the second half yesterday when I thought they could take a lead... they just couldn't break through. They'd cut the lead to 4 or 5... and Villanova would push it right back to double-digits. When he made those back-to-back threes and the 33,000-plus fans went crazy... I'd never wanted to be in Syracuse so bad.

Centerfield Mar 06 2006 12:00 PM

Good for Gerry. Way to go out guns blazing. Still hope for the tournament. Even one victory in the BET will give them that magical 20 wins.

soupcan Mar 06 2006 12:13 PM

Zakly what I'm thinking. 20 and we're in.

Centerfield Mar 06 2006 12:22 PM

http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/114163923378890.xml&coll=1 I somehow missed this. DC got #44 retired on Sunday.

Methead Mar 06 2006 01:02 PM

Hmm... they retired #44 from football, I guess they just extended it to basketball too. They didn't retire a Coleman jersey, did they?

Methead Mar 08 2006 12:11 PM

The road to the NIT begins. Cincinnati has a player named Jihad Muhammad. That can't be good.

Methead Mar 08 2006 12:55 PM

Looks like a decent game so far. I'm not watching, but Syracuse seems like they're shooting the ball well, which is nice. 5 for 9 from behind the arc so far. 4 for 5 from the line.

Centerfield Mar 08 2006 01:00 PM

39-34 at halftime. Most say Cincy is a tournament team, if the Orange win 2 of 3 from Cincy, I can't see how they would send the Bearcats and not Syracuse.

soupcan Mar 08 2006 01:01 PM

Because who else have they beaten - West Virginia? Not good enough. Beat Cincy, Beat UConn. 20 wins ain't gonna do it this year. OE: Who's the moron at the top of this page that said '20 and we're in'? Dope.

Methead Mar 08 2006 01:12 PM

2nd half underway, two quick hoops by Roberts to push the lead to 43-34. Still not a big enough lead for me... hopefully they can stay in front. Rebound, rebound, rebound.

Centerfield Mar 08 2006 01:36 PM

60-54. 9:09 left.

Methead Mar 08 2006 01:36 PM

Well, they'd pushed the lead to 13, but Cincy is coming back. 6-point lead with 9 minutes left.

Methead Mar 08 2006 01:42 PM

4-point lead, 7 minutes to go.

Methead Mar 08 2006 01:48 PM

1-point lead, 4 minutes left.

Centerfield Mar 08 2006 01:49 PM

1 point deficit, 3:39 left.

Methead Mar 08 2006 01:54 PM

"Gerry McNamara missed Two Point Layup." "Eric Devendorf missed Two Point Layup." AAAARGH

soupcan Mar 08 2006 01:54 PM

I go out for a sandwich and they blow a 15 point lead?

Methead Mar 08 2006 01:59 PM

Tied at 70 after a Watkins dunk... 30 seconds to go.

soupcan Mar 08 2006 02:01 PM

Gmac hits a three with less then a sec and 'Cuse wins by 1?

Elster88 Mar 08 2006 02:01 PM

WOW. Running ridiculous prayer of a 3 with .3 left by McNamara puts the Cuse up 1.

Methead Mar 08 2006 02:06 PM

NICE Why did I NOT go to this game?

Centerfield Mar 08 2006 02:09 PM

OH MY GOD

Elster88 Mar 08 2006 02:10 PM

2006 Big East Tournament First Round March 8 Quarter-Finals March 9 Semi-Finals March 10 Finals March 11 2005 Champion 1) Connecticut (14-2) 8) Cincinnati (8-8) 12 p.m. 12 p.m. 9) Syracuse (7-9) 5) Georgetown (10-6) 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 12) Notre Dame (6-10) 2 p.m. 4) Marquette (10-6) 6) Pittsburgh (10-6) 9 p.m. 8 p.m. 11) Louisville (6-10) 9 p.m. 3) West Virginia (11-5) 7) Seton Hall (9-7) 9 p.m. 7 p.m. 10) Rutgers (7-9) 7 p.m. 2) Villanova (14-2)

Elster88 Mar 08 2006 02:10 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 08 2006 02:11 PM

I'm tired of poking at that bracket. I'll pull out the superfluous columns another time.

Elster88 Mar 08 2006 02:11 PM

Thanks to Edgy for the code.

Methead Mar 08 2006 02:15 PM

Another weekday game at noon. Hmph. I'm surprised UConn didn't get a primetime start tomorrow.

MFS62 Mar 08 2006 02:21 PM

Centerfield wrote: OH MY GOD You've been watching too many Reese Witherspoon movies. Later

Elster88 Mar 08 2006 02:26 PM

Methead wrote: I'm surprised UConn didn't get a primetime start tomorrow. It's based on seeding. They used to play the 4-5 game first,the 1-8/9 game second, 2-7 third, and 3-6 last. They probably moved the 1-seed's game up in recent years because their are so many other first round games, and they get done later in the day, so you have to give those teams more time to rest and move their quarterfinal games back. SYU gets 21-22 hours off before receiving their beating.

Elster88 Mar 08 2006 02:28 PM

MFS62 wrote: ="Centerfield"]OH MY GOD You've been watching too many Reese Witherspoon movies. Later OH...MY...GOD reminds me of Friends more so than Reese.

seawolf17 Mar 08 2006 02:30 PM

Methead wrote: Cincinnati has a player named Jihad Muhammad. That can't be good. Nice. I would totally not foul that guy.

Farmer Ted Mar 08 2006 03:21 PM

Just saw the replay at lunch. HOLY SHIT. Is this the same team that had its collective asses handed to them six days ago by a team that DID NOT EVEN QUALIFY for the Big East tournament? March. Basketball. Is. Great.

Elster88 Mar 08 2006 09:20 PM

According to Digger Phelps: Rudy Gay and Josh Boone average 60 points and 42 rebounds between them.

Centerfield Mar 08 2006 10:24 PM

Boeheim goes off: “I have to laugh a little bit when our own paper is calling him; our own student newspaper is calling him overrated,’’ Boeheim said. “They actually listened to a couple assistant coaches who I guarantee you will never be head coaches if they think Gerry McNamara is overrated. Of course, our paper won’t print that anyway because that’s, you know, somebody said it. “Without Gerry McNamara, we wouldn’t have won 10 fucking games this year,’’ Boeheim continued. “OK? Not 10. The other guys just aren’t ready. They needed him. Without him there, not 10. We wouldn’t be here to even have a chance to play this game. And everybody’s talking to me and writing about Gerry McNamara being overrated? That’s the most (bleep- couldn't make it out) thing I’ve seen in 30 years – and especially if it comes from our people in our papers. “But they’re quoted from somebody else, an anonymous assistant coach. Let the assistant coach come up to me and say, ‘Gerry McNamara is overrated.’ I’d like to see one of those guys come up to me and say that. He’s been double-teamed every game this year and the coaches voted him first-team all-conference. The head coaches don’t know (bleep-again, couldn't make it out), I guess.’’

Methead Mar 09 2006 08:26 AM

I love it. I was watching the Louisville / Pitt game, waiting for halftime to come along so I could see the SU highlights. I was also eagerly awaiting that press conference. After Boeheim's comments, my wife said "I like that guy!" I replied, "Well, people either love him or hate him." She said "Well, I like him." I knew there was a reason I married her.

Elster88 Mar 09 2006 09:09 AM

Gary Cohen did the PbP for the Rutgers game yesterday.

Methead Mar 09 2006 09:46 AM

Bud Poliquin disagrees with my wife... [url]http://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1141898118251740.xml&coll=1[/url]

Methead Mar 09 2006 12:09 PM

Syracuse jumps out to a 5-0 lead... let's trade baskets the rest of the way.

HahnSolo Mar 09 2006 01:03 PM

Up 11 at the half. The selection committee is watching, Orange.

Methead Mar 09 2006 01:04 PM

39 Syracuse 28 UConn At the half. McNamara's got 8 or 9 assists.

seawolf17 Mar 09 2006 01:14 PM

="Methead"]39 Syracuse 28 UConn At the half. McNamara's got 8 or 9 assists. Which is impressive for a guy who's apparently still breastfeeding.

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 01:55 PM

Lead gone. 5 minutes to decide this thing.

Elster88 Mar 09 2006 01:57 PM

I almost want UConn to lose this game. They need to realize that you can't give up a double digit lead and then come back on pure difference in talent. That's not going to work against the better teams.

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 02:00 PM

I want UConn to lose this game too.

Elster88 Mar 09 2006 02:01 PM

Good one!

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 02:10 PM

Basketball makes me sad.

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 02:13 PM

Um. Ok. I don't know about the rest of the team, but I think at the very least GMac deserves to be in the tournament.

Elster88 Mar 09 2006 02:13 PM

Fucking McNamara.

MFS62 Mar 09 2006 02:21 PM

Elster88 wrote: Fucking McNamara. Who does he think he is, Tate George? I guess from the commentary he hit a three pointer to put the game into overtime? I'm justable to follow it on USAToday's website, and it had showed UCONN up by three with 11 seconds to go. Please keep us posted. Later

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 02:30 PM

Basketball makes me happy.

soupcan Mar 09 2006 02:31 PM

Elster - Do you like apples?

Elster88 Mar 09 2006 02:34 PM

Go ahead. Trash me and them. They deserve it. I deserve it.

soupcan Mar 09 2006 02:39 PM

i won't razz you. I didn't expect Cuse to even be competitive in this game. I'm just glad that they got the win that gets them in the field of 64. Does the loss cost UConn the overall No.1 seed? If Nova wins the Big East it just might.

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 02:39 PM

Where's Methead? Hopefully whooping it up at the Garden. I wonder how Gerry McNamara walks with those giant balls made of iron.

Methead Mar 09 2006 02:45 PM

I went out to get lunch and watch the 2nd half. McNamara's game-tying three was HUUUUUUGE. NBA range. They played well, but got lucky more than once. Toward the end, they passed the ball in to Watkins who was immediately fouled... and somehow the guy drained both free throws. Then Devendorf stole the following inbounds pass, streaked toward the rim, and missed the easy layup... which led to a three at the other end. UConn had a lot of chances and open shots to tie or win it, but somehow, it didn't happen.

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 02:46 PM

How does a team that gets embarrassed by DePaul turn around and beat UConn a week later. Amazing.

HahnSolo Mar 09 2006 02:49 PM

What a great tournament for McNamara. Congrats to the Orange. I think this puts them in.

Methead Mar 09 2006 02:53 PM

According to the guys at SOSH, there's a website called realtimerpi.com. Apparently, this win vaults SU from #38 to #22 in the RPI rankings. And their strength of schedule was already #6. They better be in. edit : strength of schedule goes from #6 to #4.

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 03:00 PM

Bring on Georgetown! Bring on Marquette! Hell, bring on Villanova!

soupcan Mar 09 2006 03:24 PM

Actually now I'm wondering if UConn is even one of the 4 #1 seeds in the tournament. Perhaps not.

Elster88 Mar 09 2006 03:27 PM

They ought to be. They all have the same number of losses.

Elster88 Mar 09 2006 03:28 PM

soupcan wrote: i won't razz you. Nah, you should. It's all in fun.

Methead Mar 09 2006 03:41 PM

Yeah, I still think UConn's #1 seed is safe.

Methead Mar 09 2006 03:57 PM

I want to watch today's game again.

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 04:28 PM

I want to see your old avatar again.

soupcan Mar 09 2006 04:30 PM

Make a new one - MacNamara hitting the trey yesterday...

Centerfield Mar 09 2006 04:48 PM

Awesome. Thanks Methead.

soupcan Mar 09 2006 04:52 PM

Whooo-hooo!

Methead Mar 09 2006 04:52 PM

Ask and you shall receive. I don't remember where I got it, but if there's video of McNamara's shot online, I could probably put another, more up-to-date avatar together.

Methead Mar 09 2006 04:54 PM

I still love how the cameraman follows where the ball should be.

Rockin' Doc Mar 10 2006 01:10 PM

Belated congratulations to Syracuse on the great victory yesterday. I think that McNamara has more than answered his critics with his performance in the Big East Tournament thus far. I think that UConn's #1 seed is secure. This will likely only serve to strengthen their focus while allowing them to rest a little. I still expect them to be a force once the NCAA begins. Duke down by 6 at halftime to freakin' Miami. I think all the minutes racked up by starters is catching up to them. Not a good time for a team to slump.

soupcan Mar 10 2006 04:50 PM

Rockin' Doc wrote: Belated congratulations to Syracuse on the great victory yesterday. I think that McNamara has more than answered his critics with his performance in the Big East Tournament thus far. Agreed and yesterday I was 100% certain that that win puts them in the tournament. The more I think about it though, a 39 point loss to DePaul and a loss to Bucknell this season is pretty hard to overlook. Rockin' Doc wrote: I think that UConn's #1 seed is secure. This will likely only serve to strengthen their focus while allowing them to rest a little. I still expect them to be a force once the NCAA begins. I'm not too sure about UConn's #1. If Ohio State and Memphis win their respective league tournaments and Villanova and Duke win theirs all of a sudden UConn could be the 5th best team in the country. Rockin' Doc wrote: Duke down by 6 at halftime to freakin' Miami. I think all the minutes racked up by starters is catching up to them. Not a good time for a team to slump. Miami 76 Duke 80 Ya gotta love college hoops in March.

soupcan Mar 10 2006 09:21 PM

Rockin' Doc wrote: As Syracuse fans, what is the one team you truly do not wish to lose to? I'm guessing it would be UConn, but I'm curious if that's the case. ="soupcan"]I'm sure for the contemporary 'Cuse fan it's UConn, but for me its Georgetown. A Syracuse - Georgetown tilt was always heated and well contested. Now that the Hoyas seem to be on the rise hopefully that rivalry will gain momentum again. Tonight's game was great for the win, the exciting way they won and the above. I felt like I was in college all over again. Syracuse versus Georgetown, Boehiem versus Thompson, Derrick Coleman and Pearl Washington in the building. I like Georgetown being a good team again because of games like tonight's. I love to hate and beat the Hoya Saxa.

Centerfield Mar 10 2006 10:15 PM

Moten in the house too. Go Cuse. Gerry McNamara. Holy freakin' crap.

metirish Mar 10 2006 10:57 PM

I have no real rooting interest in this but freaking hell I now love Syracuse,what an amazing week it has been for them.

cooby Mar 10 2006 11:15 PM

We were sitting in a sports bar tonight and just getting ready to leave and my husband said "I wonder what time it is" and I said "It's seven o'clock, Syracuse is just coming on" They do kinda get to you....

soupcan Mar 10 2006 11:44 PM

="metirish"]I have no real rooting interest in this but freaking hell I now love Syracuse,what an amazing week it has been for them. I see some orange in that flag. It's a natural fit begorah! ="cooby"]We were sitting in a sports bar tonight and just getting ready to leave and my husband said "I wonder what time it is" and I said "It's seven o'clock, Syracuse is just coming on" They do kinda get to you.... . And now we got a Penn Stater rooting for us.

Rockin' Doc Mar 11 2006 12:01 AM

The Syracuse - Georgetown game was a great game. I watched the second half. Great comeback victory for the Orange. I only got to watch the final 2 minutes of the Duke-Miami game. I was just relieved to see that Duke was able to pull it out.

cooby Mar 11 2006 12:11 AM

soupcan wrote: ="cooby"]We were sitting in a sports bar tonight and just getting ready to leave and my husband said "I wonder what time it is" and I said "It's seven o'clock, Syracuse is just coming on" They do kinda get to you.... . And now we got a Penn Stater rooting for us. :) From across the room I thought the TV said Penn State 56, Ohio State 53, dang my eyes

Centerfield Mar 11 2006 12:57 AM

Centerfield wrote: It's official. They suck. Who wrote that? What an idiot.

MFS62 Mar 11 2006 09:36 AM

My wife says that every time I say soemthing bad about somebody, they do well. So a few weeks ago, I wrote that I didn't like Boeheim; that I thought he was a better recruiter than coach. Since that time the team has been on fire. So Step right up. Who wants me to say something bad about you? Fortune and fame await, for only $29.95. All major credit cards accepted. Later

Methead Mar 11 2006 10:28 AM

What a freakin' game last night. 3 wins by a total of 4 points. I'm glad it's not Villanova in the final... but Pitt is going to be very tough as well. edit : Pearl Washington, Derrick Coleman, and Lawrence Moten all in the building last night. I had heard Adrian Autry was there the night before. And... nice to see Matt Gorman getting some minutes and playing well. He's the guy who got the steal that created the final fast break.

Elster88 Mar 11 2006 11:28 AM

I loathe Pittsburgh. I'm in Syracuse's corner today.

Centerfield Mar 11 2006 11:57 AM

I know what you mean Elster. Carl Krauser has to be one of the most dislikeable players in recent Big East history. In other news, they say Allan Ray's eye should be ok. Day-to-day and possible for the NCAA first round later this week. Villanova seems like a team that could do something special this year...you'd hate to see it get derailed by something like that.

soupcan Mar 11 2006 12:34 PM

I loathe Pitt as well. In fact I Spitt on Pitt! One of the announcers said that Ray's eye actually came out of his eye socket! Ewwwwwwww.

cooby Mar 11 2006 12:48 PM

Yuck! What on earth happened?

ScarletKnight41 Mar 11 2006 01:12 PM

D-Dad said that the injury wasn't as bad as the early reports, and that the kid is going to be ok.

soupcan Mar 11 2006 04:29 PM

cooby wrote: Yuck! What on earth happened? Supposedly just a nasty inadvertant poke in the eye. Is Rockin' Hottie Doc Corner around to 'splain to us?

Elster88 Mar 11 2006 06:03 PM

I am rather indifferent to Krauser. My dislike for Pittsburgh goes back to the ninties. I hold grudges.

Rockin' Doc Mar 11 2006 06:29 PM

As a WVU fan, I too loathe Pitt, our most detested rival. One of the favorite chants at WVU is "Eat Shit Pitt!" So all I can say is, "Go Orange!"

Rockin' Doc Mar 11 2006 07:01 PM

Soupcan - "Is Rockin' Hottie Doc Corner around to 'splain to us?" Unfortunately, I didn't see the play when Ray was injured. It apparently happened while I had switched back over to the ACC Tournament. It sounds as if there is no damage permanent damage to Ray's cornea or retina. The most likely problem is a traumatic iritis. An iritis is an inflammatory condition of the blood vessels of the iris. It may occur for a multitude of reasons, but blunt trauma to the eye is a frequent cause. It can be an extremely painful condition. It is generally treated with potent mydriatic (dilating) eye drops to relax the iris muscles and topical steroid drops to calm the inflammation. Assuming it is an iritis, depending on the severity of Ray's condition and how well it responds to treatment, it is feasible that he may be able to play by Thursday or Friday evening,

Methead Mar 11 2006 10:28 PM

HOLY SHIT I don't know how many times I said during the first half, "this lead's not big enough." But somehow they held on. Clutch free throw shooting at the end of all these games... wow! So, in 4 days they've gone from being out of the tournament altogether to a possible 5 or 6 seed. Amazing.

ScarletKnight41 Mar 11 2006 10:33 PM

Congrats to Syracuse - that was quite a game!

soupcan Mar 11 2006 10:37 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 12 2006 09:05 AM

Amazing. -Lowest seed (#9) ever to win the Big East Tournament (previous low seed was Syracuse as a #6 in 1981). -First team to win the tournament by playing and winning 4 games on 4 consecutive days. -First team in 17 tries to win a tournament game the day after winning an OT tournament game. -Only the 3rd team to win back to back Big East Tournament titles (Georgetown - '84, '85 / Connecticut - '98, '99). -5 total Big East tournament tiltles ranks Syracuse behind only Georgetown and Connecticut (6 each). St. John's ranks fourth with 3 titles. OE: One more... -The 15 point halftime deficit against Georgetown was the largest halftime deficit ever overcome by a team in a Big East Tournament game. Let's Go Orange! P.S. Thanks for the explantion Hot Rockin' Corner Doc, and I hope Duke blows those backstabbing Boston College Eagles right out of the building!

Rockin' Doc Mar 12 2006 08:56 AM

A great win to cap a tremendous tournament run by Syracuse. They are moving up the seedings like a rocket. I missed the first 10 minutes of the game while running errands, but I cheered them on for the remainder of the game. McNamara has been rock solid during this run. I remember early in the season when some here expressed concern for McNamara's shooting touch. I said then that he was had proven himself too good for too long to suddenly just lose it. I reassured the Syracuse fans would be fine. The biggest difference I can see in Syracuse from a few weeks ago is that the front court of Roberts, Watkins, and Nichols is collectively playing better. Syracuse needed a stromg frontline presence to combat teams like UConn and Georgetown. McNamara was outstanding in the tournament, but he needed the help from the big guys to make this run possible. Thanks for the well wishes, Captain. Duke will need McRoberts to step up and play well again today in order to deal with BC's front line tandem of Smith and Dudley. I think the rebounding battle will determine the outcome of this game. Duke, a notoriously poor rebounding team other than Sheldon Williams, must find a way to remain reasonably close with BC in the rebounding battle. If they can limit BC's chances (second and third), then they should be in pretty good shape. If not, they could be in for a tough time.

Centerfield Mar 12 2006 08:58 AM

WOO HOO! Go Orange. A great moment after the game: While giving everyone "Big East Champions" hats and t-shirts, a special one was given to McNamara: "Overrated?" By the way, the only player I hated more than Carl Krauser was Jared Dudley. I hate that cocky POS. Go Duke.

Bret Sabermetric Mar 12 2006 09:24 AM from "Schenectady Synecdoche," one of my favorite

"If McNamara had decided to skip the final and catch a Broadway show, he would still have been the unanimous selection for the tournament's most outstanding player award." http://wrt-howard.syr.edu

soupcan Mar 12 2006 12:44 PM Re: from "Schenectady Synecdoche," one of my favor

Bret Sabermetric wrote: "If McNamara had decided to skip the final and catch a Broadway show, he would still have been the unanimous selection for the tournament's most outstanding player award." http://wrt-howard.syr.edu That quote was from the NYTimes article this morning written by a guy named Pete Thamel. Why did you link that site?

Elster88 Mar 12 2006 01:22 PM

Rockin' Doc wrote: As a WVU fan, I thought you were a Dookie fan.

soupcan Mar 12 2006 03:40 PM Re: from "Schenectady Synecdoche," one of my favor

soupcan wrote: ="Bret Sabermetric"]"If McNamara had decided to skip the final and catch a Broadway show, he would still have been the unanimous selection for the tournament's most outstanding player award." http://wrt-howard.syr.edu That quote was from the NYTimes article this morning written by a guy named Pete Thamel. Why did you link that site? Ahh okay - I see it now.

soupcan Mar 12 2006 04:13 PM

Bret Sabermetric Mar 12 2006 06:57 PM Re: from "Schenectady Synecdoche," one of my favor

soupcan wrote: soupcan wrote: ="Bret Sabermetric"]"If McNamara had decided to skip the final and catch a Broadway show, he would still have been the unanimous selection for the tournament's most outstanding player award." http://wrt-howard.syr.edu That quote was from the NYTimes article this morning written by a guy named Pete Thamel. Why did you link that site? Ahh okay - I see it now. The funny part of that SU professor making her source so hard to find is that she specialilzes in--wait for it--plagiarism prevention. You SU guys must have gotten an earful from her, one way or another, in your time.

martin Mar 12 2006 07:17 PM

the bad news for you 'cuse fans is that my alma mater LSU is gonna pistolwhip the orange. LSU center glen davis is going to run roughshod over those chumps.

soupcan Mar 12 2006 07:37 PM

It is virtually impossible for you to rain on my parade. Last week I was looking at an early exit from the freakin' NIT. Now my team are Big East Champs and beat the No.1 team in the country and their arch rivals on their way to doing so. I sure hope they make noise in the Big Dance but if they don't, they don't. As to LSU and your center - yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah.

Rockin' Doc Mar 12 2006 08:09 PM

Elster, I am a Duke fan. However, I went to high school and college (WV Tech) in West Virginia. My best friend from high school played football at WVU. I natually became a WVU fan, but there just wasn't much opportunity to follow the Mountaineers once I moved to North Carolina. I decided to find a team to follow in my adopted home. Everyone I knew seemed to be Tar Heel fans. For what ever reason, they just never appealed to me. UNC-CH is a great school with a rich heritage and successful teams, but for whatever reason, they just never appealed to me. Maybe it was some of there fans. While watching Duke lose to Louisville in the 1986 Championship game, I realized that I had found my team.

Rockin' Doc Mar 12 2006 08:23 PM

Centerfield, it wasn't easy, but Duke took care of Jared Dudley and the Eagles today. It was a great game from start to finish. Tough, tough game that should serve both teams well as they move on to the NCAA. This was Duke's seventh ACC Tournament Championship in the past 8 years. An overtime loss in the 2004 final to Maryland prevented Duke from winning 8 straight tournament titles. Duke and Syracuse could possibly meet in the Sweet Sixteen in Atlanta. There would be some 3-pointers flying in that game with Redick and McNamara on the same court. Could be an interesting matchup.

Centerfield Mar 13 2006 11:04 AM

Congrats to Duke. If that Sweet 16 matchup happened, it would have already been a successful tournament for the Orange. Honestly, didn't you end up hating Jared Dudley? That idiot was giving the "It's over" sign with ten minutes left against Carolina.

Rockin' Doc Mar 13 2006 11:30 AM

Dudley is a hell of a player, but his antics are pretty annoying. I appreciate his talent, but I find him to be more annoying than Krauser. I can appreciate hustle, hard play, and enthusiasm, but all the taunting and histrionics of some players wears thin real quick with me. Earlier in his career, I always wished that JJ Redick would tone down some of his celebrations. He used to talk smack to the opposing fans and their bench after drilling a three pointer. Thankfully, he has greatly lessened his antics the past season or two. He has said that it was a lack of maturity that made him speak back to those that loved to taunt him. He said that now he just tries to silence them with his play.

Centerfield Mar 13 2006 11:32 AM

A Shot, a Rant, and a Run http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/13/sports/ncaabasketball/13bigeast.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Centerfield Mar 13 2006 11:51 AM

Rockin' Doc wrote: Dudley is a hell of a player, but his antics are pretty annoying. I appreciate his talent, but I find him to be more annoying than Krauser. I can appreciate hustle, hard play, and enthusiasm, but all the taunting and histrionics of some players wears thin real quick with me. Earlier in his career, I always wished that JJ Redick would tone down some of his celebrations. He used to talk smack to the opposing fans and their bench after drilling a three pointer. Thankfully, he has greatly lessened his antics the past season or two. He has said that it was a lack of maturity that made him speak back to those that loved to taunt him. He said that now he just tries to silence them with his play. I hear what you're saying about Redick. I feel the same way about Eric Devendorf. But you're right, neither of them, or even Carl Krauser for that matter, rises to the level of Dudley. Dudley is just classless...he's never going to grow out of it. And his antics go beyond just the enthusiasm of young athletes. His is mean-spirited. I just hope someday he looks back on it and realizes how much he took away from his ability with his behavior.

Centerfield Mar 14 2006 01:10 PM

From Today's News: If it wasn't already, it has to be clear now: There's something a little magical going on with guys from Syracuse playing at the Garden. "It did feel that way a little bit," Carmelo Anthony said. "I had some Gerry McNamara flashbacks out there." Anthony was referring to the hero of Syracuse's unlikely charge to the Big East title last week, as well as his teammate in 2003, when the Orange won the NCAA championship. But last night, Anthony was a hero for his current team: the New York City-born Anthony torched the Knicks for 35 points in 36 minutes, leading the Nuggets to a 108-96 Garden rout. He hit 13 of 21 shots, displaying an inside-outside game that wowed the sellout crowd.

Elster88 Mar 14 2006 02:29 PM

If you beat the Knicks by less than 20 you deserve a loss.

Centerfield Mar 17 2006 12:09 AM

Well that sucked.

Methead Mar 17 2006 08:59 AM

Definitely didn't deserve to win that one. "Gerry McNamara... in like a lion, out like a lamb." I almost had to eat that quote after last week's run. It's unfortunate he didn't do anything last night. I can't understand how after 4 days of rest, he was somehow MORE injured than he had been before. Watkins had no hands last night whatsoever, again.

soupcan Mar 17 2006 10:35 AM

Easy layups missed, killed on the boards, all the loose balls and breaks going A&M's way. Bad game all around. It wasn't as bad as losing to Vermont last year though. This one was a bit more expected and more just disappointing then upsetting. Ah well.

Centerfield Mar 17 2006 10:41 AM

I guess all in all, it wasn't a bad season. Despite last night's game, I'm glad the BE Tourney gave GMac one more moment of glory before walking off into the sunset. Besides, I shudder to think what Glen Davis would have done to Watkins/Roberts had SU advanced. How about next year though, does anyone have any confidence in anyone besides Devendorf? Is the Roberts-Watkins-Nichols-McCroskey the most disappointing class ever?

Willets Point Mar 17 2006 10:45 AM

You guys give me an inflated opinion of Syracuse basketball.

ScarletKnight41 Mar 17 2006 10:47 AM

My condolences to the Syracuse fans in the Pool.

soupcan Mar 17 2006 10:53 AM

Willets Point wrote: You guys give me an inflated opinion of Syracuse basketball. Yeah well unfortunately losing in the first round of the NCAAs has started to become a little bit of a habit for Syracuse teams. Unless its one of the years they get to the Sweet Sixteen or Final Four. Unpredictable post-season team is what they are.

Methead Mar 17 2006 11:02 AM

"does anyone have any confidence in anyone besides Devendorf?" Yeah, I think a Devendorf / Wright backcourt has a lot of potential. Quicker and more athletic. And supposedly this Paul Harris kid coming in is great. Of course, I also thought McCroskey would be a breakout star this year, rather than the Human Turnover Film he became.

soupcan Mar 23 2006 01:29 PM

]National Orange Day Syracuse University is buzzing with orange excitement as National Orange Day approaches. This is your official reminder: Friday, March 24, is National Orange Day! We are asking all students, alumni, faculty, and staff to show your orange pride and wear your best orange threads. It could be a flashy tie, a sweater, or a vintage tee-shirt. So, what is National Orange Day? It is a tradition to commemorate the founding of Syracuse University, March 24, 1870. This year is SU's 136th birthday! On campus, the festivities begin at 12:30pm when the Crouse Chimes will ring out our alma mater and the fight song. The University will gather at the Schine Student atrium for a birthday party! Chancellor Cantor will carve the first slice of SU’s birthday cake, one of the six sheet cakes that were generously donated by the SU Bake Shop. The celebration in Schine will also include a visit by Otto the Orange. Z89 will be playing music and hosting give-aways as well. This year’s National Orange Day will be highlighted by two special events. March 24th will mark the culmination of Orange Around the World, a new University-wide initiative sponsoring Syracuse themed care packages prepared by faculty, staff & students to be sent to our Alums serving in the military world-wide. The care packages will be presented at this year’s ceremony in the Schine by Neil Gold '70, President of the Syracuse University Alumni Association Board of Directors. He will then present the Jesse Peck Diaries, a collection of entries detailing the original ideas to found Syracuse University, to Ed Galvin, Director of SU's Department of Archives & Records Management. Bishop Jesse Truesdell Peck was a Methodist bishop, former chairman of our Board of Trustees & the person who made the first substantial financial donation to establish Syracuse University in 1870. The Tennity Ice Rink will join the fun and offer free skate rentals to all wearing orange . The SU Bookstore will offer 25% off to anyone wearing a sticky orange. The Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center will feature delicious orange cuisine on the day's menu and Rachel's Restaurant at the Sheraton will also have a National Orange Day lunch promotion. Later that evening, we will light up the Syracuse skyline. The Carrier Dome and the Niagara Mohawk Building will glow with luminous orange lights. We are excited about the momentum and enthusiasm of our two special National Orange Day events this year, and ask for your support in getting the word out about them. In that regard, we hope to work with you in developing special stories marking these momentous events. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for personal insights into Orange Around the World and the Jesse Peck Diaries presentation. SU Alumni Clubs are participating in community service events in record numbers all around the country. SU club members will proudly wear orange as they work. Please go to http://alumni.syr.edu//NOD06.htm for a complete listing. Join in the contagious orange spirit on Friday, March 24! Wear ORANGE proudly! So if you see a guy wearing a flashy orange tie tomorrow...it won't be me.

cooby Mar 23 2006 01:44 PM

]So if you see a guy wearing a flashy orange tie tomorrow...it won't be me.

ScarletKnight41 Mar 26 2006 02:47 PM

In other college basketball news, Freakin' Rutgers women's team lost to Tennessee in their Sweet 16 matchup this afternoon :(

soupcan Mar 27 2006 09:37 AM

I was thinking last night about Syracuse's season as opposed to UConn's and if I were given a choice, which team's season would I have have rather had if given the ability to pick one or the other prior to the season. UConn - dominating and ranked #1, #2, #3 or #4 all season. gets the #1 seed in the Big East tournament but chokes and doesn't even get to the semis. Gets an at-large bid to the NCAA Tourney as a #1 seed makes it to the final 8 and goes down hard in perhaps the biggest upset in the history of the tourney. A final record of 30-4 with only a tie for the regular season Big East championship to show for it. Syracuse - disappointing and dropped from the national rankings early in the season never to reappear. A loss to Bucknell at Syracuse and a 40 point demolishing at the hands of sub-.500 DePaul late in the season being the lowlights. The season really only became enjoyable for a week in March during their Big East tournament run. Buzzer beaters, OT thrillers, upsets of top ranked teams that culminated in a Big East Championship and automatic bid to the Tourney - in which they got pasted in the first round. To sum up - UConn: co-regular season Big East champs with a 30 win season that make it to the Final 8. Syracuse: Big East Tournament champs with a 20+ win season and a week of play that gets remembered as a 'classic' run. It boils down to 7 extra wins for UConn versus a Big East Tournament championship. I think I'll take that trophy every time.

Rockin' Doc Mar 27 2006 01:11 PM

Syracuse puuled together when it mattered most and salvaged their season with a great performance in the Big East Tournament. UConn carried the heavy burden of being expected to win. The expectations of a national championship can weigh heavily on a team when anything less than a Final Four appearance is considered a failure. UConn was an extremely talented team of NBA in waiting players, but no team is unbeatable. As Florida coach Billy Donovan said last night, "If you were to start the tournament over again next week you would probably end up with 4 different teams in Indianapolis. That is the way it is in single elimination tournaments."* * = Not an exact quote, but pretty close.

Elster88 Mar 29 2006 09:05 AM

soupcan wrote: To sum up - UConn: co-regular season Big East champs with a 30 win season that make it to the Final 8. Syracuse: Big East Tournament champs with a 20+ win season and a week of play that gets remembered as a 'classic' run. It boils down to 7 extra wins for UConn versus a Big East Tournament championship. I think I'll take that trophy every time. In hindsight I'd agree. But in the real world, between a)the team that has a legitimate shot at the national title b)the team that wins the Big East Tournament but has no shot at the national title I'll take choice (a) everytime.

soupcan Mar 29 2006 09:38 AM

Elster88 wrote: In hindsight I'd agree. But in the real world, between a)the team that has a legitimate shot at the national title b)the team that wins the Big East Tournament but has no shot at the national title I'll take choice (a) everytime. And I agree with that.

soupcan Apr 04 2006 02:18 PM

SU Alumni Monthly E-Newsletter April 2006 Vol. 4, Issue 4 Boeheim, Melo, reunited on USA basketball squad Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim and former SU standout Carmelo Anthony will be reunited when the 2006-08 USA Senior National Team begins preparations for the 2006 FIBA World Championship. Boeheim is an assistant coach on the squad and Anthony is one of 23 players named to the 2006-08 USA Men's Senior National Team program. Boeheim is an assistant coach on the staff of Mike Krzyzewski along with Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan. Rudy Tomjanovich, coach of the gold-medal winning 2000 USA Olympic team and a two time NBA champion as coach of the Houston Rockets, is director of scouting. Anthony, who helped Syracuse win the NCAA Championship in 2003 is a member of the Denver Nuggets. "It's an exciting day to finally announce this great group of players and to have the ability to work with them," said Krzyzewski during a March 6 teleconference. "The staff that has been assembled to me is an incredible staff in Jim Boehein, Mike D'Antoni and Nate McMillian joining me. We have international experience, NBA experience, guys who are specialists. Jim (Boeheim) with the zone, is one of the best people in attacking and setting up a zone, and so we have versatility on the staff and we also have that versatility with team members." The USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team will report to training camp in mid-July. The squad will compete in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Saitama, Japan, from August 19-September 3. If necessary, the club will participate in the 2007 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament. If the USA qualifies, the final step will be the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, from August 8-24. "I love Carmelo,"said Krzyzewski. "This year you have seen him elevate his game and have an even higher level of professional maturity about his total game. He has put up great number, and of course I've gotten to know him even better because Jim Boeheim is on our staff and we've talked about how he might be used. I like his versatility. He can be a three, he can be a four, and can score inside and outside. I think he's maturing into one of the better players in the NBA." The 23 players selected included: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Adam Morrison (Gonzaga University); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Chris Paul (New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets); Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics); J.J. Redick (Duke University); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Luke Ridnour (Seattle SuperSonics); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat).

Methead Apr 11 2006 02:23 PM

Nice article about Paul Harris, a blue-chip recruit arriving next year... and a Herman Harried sighting! [url=http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/114474732640310.xml&coll=1]Excellent![/url]

Methead May 10 2006 10:50 AM

Louie McCroskey is transferring. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say the team probably won't miss him all that much. [url=http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1147251409127530.xml]Article here[/url]

HahnSolo May 10 2006 11:00 AM

With only one year of eligibility left, who's going to want to bring him into their program?

Centerfield May 10 2006 11:05 AM

With Paul Harris coming on board, there probably wasn't much playing time ahead for him anyway.

Methead May 10 2006 11:59 AM

Exactly, CF. The article mentions MAAC schools like Manhattan or Iona as possible destinations. He'd sit a year and still have a year left. Iona brought SU malcontent Deshaun Williams on board for a year, I'm sure they'd be happy to get a guy like McCroskey to help them go for a conference title.

HahnSolo May 11 2006 12:19 PM

Iona did not have a good experience with Williams, they might not want to repeat that mistake.

Methead May 11 2006 12:22 PM

Yeah, but I bet if McCroskey gets the playing time, he won't cause trouble. Williams was just a dick regardless.

HahnSolo May 11 2006 12:30 PM

Ruland is itching to get out of Iona, as evidenced by his publicly campaigning for the Seton Hall and NC St. jobs. I wouldn't transfer there if I were McCroskey. McCroskey should consider Marist...that Brady looks like he's a good coach.

Elster88 May 11 2006 12:31 PM

We should start new college b-ball and Jets threads at some point.

Edgy DC May 11 2006 12:38 PM

That's a good idea, and today is archives day. Any objections?

Centerfield May 11 2006 01:42 PM

Done. Senor Archivist.