Syracuse GAME Thread

[beast of the east]

Just got back from the Garden.

Any negative talk about this game is pure nonsense. They went toe to toe with the #2 team in the country for nearly the entire game. They fell behind in the 1st half only because of poor shooting, nothing more. They fought back and had the Garden rocking. They ran out of steam at the foul line, ironic because they were 17 for 20 when Sampson stepped to the line for two.

Nothing to be embarrassed about, and plenty to look forward to. Our team is just as talented as theirs. We will be playing in March.

I didn't realize Norm was still posting here.

It was men against boys. Boy Lavin was schooled again by the Boeheim's of the world. Boy Harrison was 6 for 19.

This team has established an identity that will stick with us all year, no matter what Lavin speaks. We start weak against everyone (excluding Fordham). We wake up at some point. Then the better teams treat us like washerwomen in the final few minutes. Our three point shooting is abysmal. There are very few teams including low major that are worse. Yet, we make that the focus of our offense while keeping our one or two legitimate three point shooters on the bench. We went toe to toe with Wisconsin and Syracuse until they decided it was time for the smackdown. Plenty of boxers went toe to toe with Mike Tyson when he was in his prime. It's the outcome that matters.

35 of Mike Tyson's 50 wins were won by TKO or KO in the 6th round or before. Very few guys went toe to toe with him.

But back to the subject at hand. I wasn't sure this team was for real after beating Fordham by 46. After all, it was Fordham. Clawing back against Syracuse to take the lead late wasn't being toyed with. They legitimately looked like they belonged on the court with Syracuse. Three calls I think could have gone the other way - one of Obekpa's blocks, the three point play against Sanchez w a very questionable continuation basket could have been a charge, and then when Sampson tried to slam late and was smothered. IF 2 of those 3 calls went SJUs way, the outcome may have been different.

Finally, don't you think that it's pretty much impossible to beat a Syracuse when you aren't making outside shots? When you can't make three's they can pack it in, and its really difficult to play inside vs. Syracuse when they do that. Yet we almost overcame bad shooting from 3. I'm not upset, I'm actually confident, that if we can play like this all season, we'll be in the top 1/2 of the big east.

Those boxers went toe to toe with Tyson in the sixth round or before with the outcome coming earlier.

I can understand the optimism many of you have after watching most of the second half. My problem is that every team shows a pattern. Our pattern has been our Achilles. We get down early to the crappiest teams. We rally. We lose to the majors. We have horrendous three point shooters with the exception of Marco and Max yet we insist on making three point attempts a major part of our offense. I think we have to change the pattern. I'm not lobbying for Marco or Max, even though there are no other players on the team who can come close to shooting with them. Please don't give me the "white guys can't play D" mantra. Syracuse was over 50 percent with M&M on the bench. Let them sit, but take the three point shot out of the offense.

As far as being in the top half of the Big East; that may not be enough to take us to the dance. In case you haven't noticed, the conference isn't nearly what it used to be. I'm confident if we lose the three point shot and play hard for 40 minutes, we can win the whole thing. I'm just not confident we can do that.

I don't think our opinions are far apart. For the longest time when we went toe to toe with Syracuse, we got our asses kicked thoroughly - a waste of a ticket by halftime. This time, even down by 12, I thought our guys belonged on the court. Earlier this year, I said we didn't have a go to guy, and I was criticized for it - a money player who takes over a game with positive results more often than not. We don't have that, not even close at this point.

BUT - this wasn't your ordinary good team. Syracuse is ranked #2. Obekpa looked inept trying to score inside, despite all his improvements. Sampson has had his way with lesser opponents in the paint. Sanchez looked great last week. All were ineffective yesterday, and we still lost by just five, so there is still much room for improvement, and IF we improve, we can go pretty deep into the tournament (if we get there)

 

[Andrew]

I'm still waiting for this team to learn how to finish. Playing a great 15 minutes at the beginning of the second half
doesn't get it done, it's not enough. We can all be optimistic about that 15 minute effort but it's
just another out of conference loss when the NCAA looks at our record. Newsie is right, we finish fourth or fifth in
league play and it's probably not going to be good enough. Am I the only one who was expecting more from this team
this year.

I wasn't aware the season had already ended.

Curiously asking.... If the team were to finish amongst the top 3 in the conference, then would that be satisfactory with you?


Lotta games left to be played.

We're 6-3 with two games to go with a weak out of conference schedule, finish top 3 yes they'll make it in, 4-5 no guarantee.
And the difference between you and I Dinkins, is I'm actually at the games.

4 should get in, not that I want to find out.

 

[beast of the east]

Why did we need a new thread for this?

 

[westchesterjoe]

I'm still waiting for this team to learn how to finish. Playing a great 15 minutes at the beginning of the second half
doesn't get it done, it's not enough. We can all be optimistic about that 15 minute effort but it's
just another out of conference loss when the NCAA looks at our record. Newsie is right, we finish fourth or fifth in
league play and it's probably not going to be good enough. Am I the only one who was expecting more from this team
this year.

I wasn't aware the season had already ended.

Curiously asking.... If the team were to finish amongst the top 3 in the conference, then would that be satisfactory with you?


Lotta games left to be played.

And the difference between you and I Dinkins, is I'm actually at the games.

Your point? Does that give you better insight than me?

Use that weak, lame argument, if you want. That shows you don't have any or little to counter.

You're like a nagging injury that wont go away.. All you're capable of is insulting people for having their opinions..Surely you can object to a comment without being offensive?

Well, maybe you can't...And, you ought to look in the mirror before you call people offensive names..I'm glad posters like Mullens are starting to stick it up your a---.

YOU DESERVE IT..

 

[Moon Mullen]

I'm still waiting for this team to learn how to finish. Playing a great 15 minutes at the beginning of the second half
doesn't get it done, it's not enough. We can all be optimistic about that 15 minute effort but it's
just another out of conference loss when the NCAA looks at our record. Newsie is right, we finish fourth or fifth in
league play and it's probably not going to be good enough. Am I the only one who was expecting more from this team
this year.

I wasn't aware the season had already ended.

Curiously asking.... If the team were to finish amongst the top 3 in the conference, then would that be satisfactory with you?


Lotta games left to be played.

And the difference between you and I Dinkins, is I'm actually at the games.

Your point? Does that give you better insight than me?

Use that weak, lame argument, if you want. That shows you don't have any or little to counter.

And what didn't I answer, oh yeah, there are a lot if games left.
And yes it does give an edge being there.

 

[MJDinkins]

I'm still waiting for this team to learn how to finish. Playing a great 15 minutes at the beginning of the second half
doesn't get it done, it's not enough. We can all be optimistic about that 15 minute effort but it's
just another out of conference loss when the NCAA looks at our record. Newsie is right, we finish fourth or fifth in
league play and it's probably not going to be good enough. Am I the only one who was expecting more from this team
this year.

I wasn't aware the season had already ended.

Curiously asking.... If the team were to finish amongst the top 3 in the conference, then would that be satisfactory with you?


Lotta games left to be played.

And the difference between you and I Dinkins, is I'm actually at the games.

Your point? Does that give you better insight than me?

Use that weak, lame argument, if you want. That shows you don't have any or little to counter.

You're like a nagging injury that wont go away.. All you're capable of is insulting people for having their opinions..Surely you can object to a comment without being offensive?

Well, maybe you can't...And, you ought to look in the mirror before you call people offensive names..I'm glad posters like Mullens are starting to stick it up your a---.

YOU DESERVE IT..

LOL

You're sparring for others, huh?

What name did I call, Mullen? Please elaborate, you moronic buffoon!

I'm in your head, clueless and simple one. Mind your business, punk!

I stand by what I said.... If he's gonna use him attending games versus my not attending games to boost his argument about the season, then it's lame. There could be several reasons why I don't attend games. The primary one is distance in my case. If I were more local, then that (attending games) wouldn't be a problem.

 

[MJDinkins]

And what didn't I answer, oh yeah, there are a lot if games left.
And yes it does give an edge being there.

What edge do you get from being there?

Does it make you more knowledgeable about the game? Does it make you a better fan?

Please do elaborate....

 

[tred]

It's a complete joke to knock Hooper.

How is Cooney any different than Hooper besides the fact that Boeheim trusts Cooney and knows that he is a weapon out there?

You all should be thankful we have Hooper.

He is the only player on the roster that legitimately can space the floor ESPECIALLY when you have Obekpa and Dom out there. I'd even throw Branch into that mix.


Cut the Harvard talk out already. The kid is one-dimensional and he does that one thing exceptionally well and exceptionally consistent. That is the defintion of a role player and if we had more like him, we'd be a well-balanced team.

Michigan, Baylor, Cuse, Louisville all have specialists like. Hooper and you'd be insane to hear anyone of those fan bases knocking them.

Grow up. Run plays for him and if he shoots 20%, then bitch about him.

 

[tred]

I don't want to knock Hooper. Hooper probably is a great kid and an excellent student. However, to compare Cooney and Hooper you are delerious. Cooney is a much better basketball player.

 

[Class of 72]

I'm still waiting for this team to learn how to finish. Playing a great 15 minutes at the beginning of the second half
doesn't get it done, it's not enough. We can all be optimistic about that 15 minute effort but it's
just another out of conference loss when the NCAA looks at our record. Newsie is right, we finish fourth or fifth in
league play and it's probably not going to be good enough. Am I the only one who was expecting more from this team
this year.

I wasn't aware the season had already ended.

Curiously asking.... If the team were to finish amongst the top 3 in the conference, then would that be satisfactory with you?


Lotta games left to be played.

And the difference between you and I Dinkins, is I'm actually at the games.

Your point? Does that give you better insight than me?

Use that weak, lame argument, if you want. That shows you don't have any or little to counter.

You're like a nagging injury that wont go away.. All you're capable of is insulting people for having their opinions..Surely you can object to a comment without being offensive?

Well, maybe you can't...And, you ought to look in the mirror before you call people offensive names..I'm glad posters like Mullens are starting to stick it up your a---.

YOU DESERVE IT..

LOL

You're sparring for others, huh?

What name did I call, Mullen? Please elaborate, you moronic buffoon!

I'm in your head, clueless and simple one. Mind your business, punk!

All three of you guys deserve a time out!
We lost a close game to the #2 in America and the atmosphere was electric at the Garden. That is the end of the Syracuse game thread!
We need to do serious damage in the Big East and finish top four and hopefully win the Big East Tourney in our back yard.
THE END! Wink!

 

[MJDinkins]

All three of you guys deserve a time out!
We lost a close game to the #2 in America and the atmosphere was electric at the Garden. That is the end of the Syracuse game thread!
We need to do serious damage in the Big East and finish top four and hopefully win the Big East Tourney in our back yard.
THE END! Wink!

It's cool, '72!

We can agree on that one.

 

[Jack Williams]

Disagreeing about basketball is one thing but no one should try and boost themselves up by saying they go to the games. You don't know what's going in people's lives and you don't know why they can or can't go to games. So don't try to make yourself seem like a better fan by saying you go, that's really low.

 

[gman]

The big east is currently #3 in the rpi? Why do people think only 3 teams are going to make the tournament?

 

[simplyred]

I actually feel that I'm better able to talk about specific plays and individual player performances when I watch on TV than when I attend games. You have the benefit of instant replay, slo mo, stats, etc, while watching on Tv. I am better able to talk about atmosphere and excitement when I attend.

Example: I sat behind the basket for the Fordham game. Pretty good seats. I didn't realize how great a game Sir'Dom had until I reviewed the statistics when I got home. The Sanchez performance stood out but Dom's game was so quietly dominant.

I don't knock anyone for not attending. We all have our reasons, whether it be distance, finances, family, work and personal obligations. I do knock our overall fanbase because there is no reason why CA shouldn't be packed for every game. MSG should easily have 12,000 SJU fans. A game like Cuse, with their 10,000, should be sold out completely.

 

[Class of 72]

I actually feel that I'm better able to talk about specific plays and individual player performances when I watch on TV than when I attend games. You have the benefit of instant replay, slo mo, stats, etc, while watching on Tv. I am better able to talk about atmosphere and excitement when I attend.

Example: I sat behind the basket for the Fordham game. Pretty good seats. I didn't realize how great a game Sir'Dom had until I reviewed the statistics when I got home. The Sanchez performance stood out but Dom's game was so quietly dominant.

I don't knock anyone for not attending. We all have our reasons, whether it be distance, finances, family, work and personal obligations. I do knock our overall fanbase because there is no reason why CA shouldn't be packed for every game. MSG should easily have 12,000 SJU fans. A game like Cuse, with their 10,000, should be sold out completely.

I agree 100%.
The school should have Carnesseca packed every game. There are now over 4,000 students living in campus sponsored housing on and off campus. From RA's to fraternities to special theme give always etc., there is no reason not to have 3,000 students there at the CA games.
Heck, when I was a freshman almost every game was sold out and there were no dorms and most students worked!
Oh well! Students today are addicted to computer games, IPhones, and on-line porn.

 

[jr49]

The big east is currently #3 in the rpi? Why do people think only 3 teams are going to make the tournament?

BE not limited to 3 teams, but 11-7 with no good OOC wins might not be enough. I got a bad feeling about the Penn. St loss. Not only don't we have a good win, we got a bad loss. I really hope we go 12-6 with wins over Georgetown, X-Men, Creighton, Nova, and Marquette. Thats good enough.

 

[tom in salem]

The big east is currently #3 in the rpi? Why do people think only 3 teams are going to make the tournament?

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebas...-might-be-deepest-conference-in-nation-121613

“They are slowly coming together, and they have a collection of arguably the best athletes in the league,” one coach told me.

Yes, they have three losses so far, but look at those losses. One was a five-point loss over the weekend to second-ranked Syracuse. Another was the season-opening loss to Wisconsin, a team that’s now ranked in the top 5. (The third, an overtime loss to Penn State, still has me scratching my head.)

De’Angelo Harrison, averaging 19.1 points, is one of the most dynamic scorers in the Big East. (“He got it,” one coach told me.) Chris Obekpa is again leading the nation in blocks. Sophomore Jakarr Sampson is showing why he was so highly recruited out of high school. Can they pull together and play good team basketball?

“A lot of pieces that just don’t fit,” one coach said. “(But) if they can put it all together, they will be tough to beat.”

There’s evidence that this team is starting to turn the corner after nearly beating Syracuse. Ranked 50th in the nation in RPI, a solid first month in conference play could start chatter about a return to St. John’s glory years.

 

[JackofVirginia]

Also, nobody mentioned that we did a great job shutting down Cooney.

Oh yes I did.

 

[Ray Morgan]

I wouldn't worry one bit about early season losses. Provided, of course, we finish strong. That's what will matter on Selection Sunday. If we are a borderline pick because we are so-so from here on out, then it's one and done even if selected. Let's earn our way in by finishing top 3 in conference with some big road wins.

 

[salty dog]

I have a feeling that the majority of users here who were at the game there yesterday came away with a better feeling than those who were watching on TV. Just a guess.

Beast it was a great experience despite the loss which hurts. However they really played hard and had the crowd into it. Just didn;t do it at crunch time. Upper deck was almost completely orange from where I sat looking up. Sat in a Cuse section and they started bickering about calls etc when the game got close. Screaming to get Cooley the ball, fouls unknown players whatever. MSG scoreboard was out of sight completely incredible. The clarity was so great I saw a black and blue mark on a dancers thigh, Now that is high definition.