Syracuse

Jack Williams

Jack Williams

Well-known member
2023 $upporter
Syracuse is now coming off of a loss against Michigan as they play us Saturday.

At the carrier dome, 5:15 Eastern time.

TV: ESPN2

Trivia: when's the last time St. John's beat Syracuse at the carrier dome? One of you must know, I don't it hasn't happened in my lifetime.
 
Syracuse is now coming off of a loss against Michigan as they play us Saturday.

At the carrier dome, 5:15 Eastern time.

TV: ESPN2

Trivia: when's the last time St. John's beat Syracuse at the carrier dome? One of you must know, I don't it hasn't happened in my lifetime.
Click to expand...

It feels like we haven't beaten them ever in my life.
 
I am too lazy to look at when was the last win there. But I do remember the win in Syracuse in 1985.

One play in particular stands out. Syracuse was making a run late, and SJU missed a shot and a Syracuse player rebounds. Mullin promptly strips him of the ball, goes up for a layup, and is fouled as well. He completes the three point play, essentially sealing the game.
 
For whatever reason Syracuse board is blocked here at school. I got to their board and was able to see their threads before I got blocked out.

One was titled "SJU is a must win" I also saw it had 20 some replies.

Syracusefan.com is the site if anyone wants to get that link and post it here again I would but can't.
 
We need to figure out what to do with Phil Greene this season. After a respectable 97 assists freshman year and 85 assists sophomore year, he was down to 49 last year and has 4 total through 6 games this year as a guard playing 30 minutes a night. The floater, which was arguably the best part of his game early in his career, has all but disappeared and he rarely makes a positive offensive contribution inside of 15 feet. He's basically a spot-up shooter, but outside of the 4-9 from 3 v. Gonzaga he's 1-11 from deep in the other 5 games. He's just not giving us a lot right now if he's not making outside shots.

Right now I think our best lineup is probably Branch, Jordan, Harrison, Pointer, and Obekpa. Not by much, if at all, with Branch over Phil, but overall I think what Jamal brings serves us better in the first five and what Greene brings better off the bench.

With that said this Saturday is the kind of game we need Phil to make shots in a major way for almost the entire game. Can't rely on the 3 against the zone, but also tough to beat Cuse if you don't make plenty and Phil is one of the few guys we have capable of dropping 4-5 of them.
 
Just took a glance at their board. Nothing new or out of the ordinary. Some feel it's a must win, most say it's not. Most comments are the usual stuff others say about us (we can't shoot, Lavin can't coach, just get Obekpa in foul trouble, we will play the game like it's our Super Bowl b/c it's been so long since we've beaten them). Really hard to argue with a lot of that.
 
Being a spot up shooter has always been the best part of the IV's game. The key to beating cuse's zone this weekend will be sir dom right at the high post. Dom must stay out of foul trouble this game, we match up well with cuse.
 
Keys to winning this game:
1. Phil, DLo, and Myles need to light up the 3 to shoot over the zone
2. CO and CJones need to be physical with their big men but stay out of foul trouble
3. Making all free throws will be key in the long run

Suggested Starting Lineup:
Branch
Jordan
DLo
Pointer
Obepka

Off the Bench:
PGIV
Myles Stewart
Christian Jones

Practice for the week, shoot free throws and 3's like there is no tomorrow.
 
If we're ever going to beat this stinking team, this is the year. They are average.
 
I think it's a must win for SJU.

This team won't get another opportunity for an out of conference "signature win." I know there is Duke at the Garden, but it will be alot to ask of this group to have that game as a must win in order to build it's resume' for a tournament invite.

That's why I was disappointed at the lack of urgency and same old infuriating mistakes against Gonzaga.
 
Keys to the game:
We need to take care of the ball.
We need to execute on offense.
We need to get out on their shooters.
And we need to limit their offensive rebounds.
 
They're a lot longer than we are. Regularly play five to six guys in the 6-7 to 6-10 range, including McCullough at 6-10 and Christmas at 6-9. Doesn't bode well, especially since we'll be playing at the Dome and coming off a tough road loss.
 
Hopefully they approach the game knowing they can still win without the three pointer. This is not the typical Syracuse team--the aren't that big or deep. Ball movement, get in the gaps, Pointer at the FT line, try to get Harrison and Jordan in the gaps (hi-low) from Pointer, try to get some inside-out set shots for Greene....and, of of course, penetrate and get Christmas in foul trouble.

This is a winnable game. I don't think it's a must win, but it's about damn time. A win here and we'll be favored in every game to start the conference schedule.
 
I also don't see this as a must win. However, down the road we need to convert some of the "moral" victories into actual wins. The Gonzaga game is typical example. Now I'm not saying we should have won the game but when you have the ball twice in the last minute down three and don't even get to the foul line once well that's not acceptable. It seems like the team breaks its ass to get to that certain point and then they do something boneheaded at the most critical time. I think we can win Saturday. We are very athletic and can run Syracuse ragged and tire them out. The question is which team will show up down the stretch if the game is close. We need to find that identity until then all we will have to cling to are moral victories.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top