Syracuse

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.
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I agree but St. Mary's and LBSU will be solid wins if we pull them off. Not a Syracuse level win but still good wins if we can beat them.
 
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.
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Well he was starting PG freshman year, shared more with Branch second half of sophomore year and was not PG at all last year or this. Is he as good a passer as Dlo for a 2G, no he is not. Note that in each of his first three year's his A/T ration was better than 2:1 though. This year so far he's had too many TO's.

But his main purpose this year is spot up shooter so it's more important he improves his shooting than his assist numbers, imvho. That said I wouldn't start him either for the reason you mentioned, offense off the bench.
 
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.
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I don't think it is a must win for Tourney consideration. Niagara was just as much of a must win as any game for this team. But I do think it is a must win for this core group to come away from their careers at St John's. While I think it was a bit ridiculous to see DH defending that 6'10 kid on Gonzaga in the post, the fact that he did it and did it effectively is impressive. That these guys are going hard after rebounds and loose balls is encouraging even if our front court is basically Obekpa. Then Pointer and DH playing big for any other purposes... There are signs of life. I don't think I'm the only one who suspected a 30+ point blowout by Gonzaga when looking at how the teams matched up. I think we win. ( on the road at the Carrier Dome)...
 
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.
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Greene is an enigma to me. Beautiful looking set jump shot...good one bounce step back...devastating floater...can create space at will to get a shot off on anyone. Eh can get in the lane multiple times a game (but finishes a poor % over his first three years). His defense the last two minutes of close game is amazing. His defense the other 38 minutes is below average. Inside he has been awful because he just wasn't strong enough to finish, but he looks stronger this year. He ripped the ball out of some Niagara kid's hands last night.

I don't think he's utilized correctly. He's a great set shooter and as good as you can ask for off inside-out looks. He needs more of those looks or he will take the "it's my turn" shots. Harrison does too and they don't play particularly well together. Phil and Obekpa have a good chemistry...Branch and Harrison have good chemistry....but Phil and Dee need to get on the same page. They can both set each other up nicely with drives and kicks.

He is the drought killer for us with his ability to create and hit jumpers. I still don't like those long twos, though.
 
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.
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But I do think it is a must win for this core group to come away from their careers at St John's.
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So true. This was my biggest fear when they started playing so much as freshmen. Bad habits are tough to break and a losing mentality is even tougher. These guys don't truly expect to win these game no matter what their words say. This is the type of game that can change that. They've lost to these guys three years in a row.
 
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.
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I think the Long Beach State game is the most dangerous game on our schedule. We are not expected to beat Syracuse and it will be great if we do. LBSU is 4-4 but their losses are to BYU, UCLA, Washington, and Xavier and they've beaten K State and Xavier. On their OOC schedule is also Nevada, SD State, Texas, SJU of course, Syracuse and Louisville in that order. I saw them beat K State and they are for real. They are also getting used to playing tough teams rather than beating up cupcakes. Of all of the games people expect us to win, this will be our toughest test. If we win it will be a good marker for us; if we lose, not so good.
 
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.
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I think the Long Beach State game is the most dangerous game on our schedule. We are not expected to beat Syracuse and it will be great if we do. LBSU is 4-4 but their losses are to BYU, UCLA, Washington, and Xavier and they've beaten K State and Xavier. On their OOC schedule is also Nevada, SD State, Texas, SJU of course, Syracuse and Louisville in that order. I saw them beat K State and they are for real. They are also getting used to playing tough teams rather than beating up cupcakes. Of all of the games people expect us to win, this will be our toughest test. If we win it will be a good marker for us; if we lose, not so good.
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It should be noted they have to play at Texas and fly cross country to play us just two days later. Only one day rest. We should win, but agree, tough game.
 
I agree about all the games being important, and to be mindful of dropping a game against an opponent SJU will be favored like LBSU.

My point was based on the premise they win all of the games they must win. This year, they certainly can't have a slip up. I was pointing at the importance of Syracuse because it is a road game against a power conference.

Sorry I was not clear about that.
 
If the Big East keeps playing as it has, a winning record in the Big East will be quite a resume. I thought Nova had a chance to run the BE but I don't think so any more. Too many teams like Seton Hall that I thought were at least a year away that look strong already. If nothing else Depaul is always dangerous just with Garrett but now it looks like they are putting it together and playing solid with multiple contributors. Butler is ridiculous. Creighton who I thought would drop in a big way already has at top 25 OOC win. SHU looks like a Tourney team already. I don't see one that sucks. Marquette may end up being at the bottom. Xavier has the two losses but they played tough and have good numbers overall and split with LBS.
 
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.
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Greene is an enigma to me. Beautiful looking set jump shot...good one bounce step back...devastating floater...can create space at will to get a shot off on anyone. Eh can get in the lane multiple times a game (but finishes a poor % over his first three years). His defense the last two minutes of close game is amazing. His defense the other 38 minutes is below average. Inside he has been awful because he just wasn't strong enough to finish, but he looks stronger this year. He ripped the ball out of some Niagara kid's hands last night.

I don't think he's utilized correctly. He's a great set shooter and as good as you can ask for off inside-out looks. He needs more of those looks or he will take the "it's my turn" shots. Harrison does too and they don't play particularly well together. Phil and Obekpa have a good chemistry...Branch and Harrison have good chemistry....but Phil and Dee need to get on the same page. They can both set each other up nicely with drives and kicks.

He is the drought killer for us with his ability to create and hit jumpers. I still don't like those long twos, though.
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He has 4 assists, 2 more then Obekpa, that is horrendous. He also loves to go 1on5 and couldn't guard any of us. With that said I think he can make his mark as a stand still shooter. Has to improve from 3 pt land, currently 5-20 and that includes making I think 4 in Gonzaga game.
 
'99
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Just looked it up. 75-70 win at the carrier dome, that is the year we went to the elite 8.
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I also remember winning there in '93, Mahoney's first year at the helm. Went up there for that game and loved every minute as the sea of orange mouths got real silent. Would be nice to see that happen again.

Just looked at the all time #s and we are 2-15 against them since 2000. That is beyond pathetic.
 
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.
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Boeheim still has them playing an excellent zone, going to be tough for us to break. Branch , Jordan and Harrison need to penetrate and hit open man in corner. Lavin shoud have Sir Dom setting the picks, needs to pass without hesitation on high post with Obekpa floating underneath. Be careful holding the ball, Cuse likes to double team post and corner.
Keep a close eye on Cooney, still their best outside threat. Press their frosh ballhandler, has been shaky thus far. No easy putbacks for Christmas and McCullough.
 
Remember the Bootsy Thornton (42pnt?) game, ot loss against Duke at MSG?

I'll predict a 32pnts game for Green, hitting 7 3s at Syracuse.
Will be his finist moment in the SJU uniform.
SJU 82 Cuse 71

This game on Saturday, Dec. 6th, ignites the whole team, and everyone including the bench players picks up their game, and we don't lose again until sometime in February.
This game could give us the spark that we need.
 
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.
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The key will not be outside shooting but whether the Guarda can penetrate the zone. Last year boheim commented that Jordan was very good in doing that and one of best he had seen. Jordan needs to start and play lots of minutes and the cuse will be toast. They don't have any guards, at least not like ennis. Jordan plays we win
 
Remember the Bootsy Thornton (42pnt?) game, ot loss against Duke at MSG?

I'll predict a 32pnts game for Green, hitting 7 3s at Syracuse.
Will be his finist moment in the SJU uniform.
SJU 82 Cuse 71

This game on Saturday, Dec. 6th, ignites the whole team, and everyone including the bench players picks up their game, and we don't lose again until sometime in February.
This game could give us the spark that we need.
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And then the damn alarm clock went off :nervous:
 
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.
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Boeheim still has them playing an excellent zone, going to be tough for us to break. Branch , Jordan and Harrison need to penetrate and hit open man in corner. Lavin shoud have Sir Dom setting the picks, needs to pass without hesitation on high post with Obekpa floating underneath. Be careful holding the ball, Cuse likes to double team post and corner.
Keep a close eye on Cooney, still their best outside threat. Press their frosh ballhandler, has been shaky thus far. No easy putbacks for Christmas and McCullough.
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Dom should do what he did down the stretch against Gonzaga. He drove and set up Phil for the big shot.
 
If the Big East keeps playing as it has, a winning record in the Big East will be quite a resume. I thought Nova had a chance to run the BE but I don't think so any more. Too many teams like Seton Hall that I thought were at least a year away that look strong already. If nothing else Depaul is always dangerous just with Garrett but now it looks like they are putting it together and playing solid with multiple contributors. Butler is ridiculous. Creighton who I thought would drop in a big way already has at top 25 OOC win. SHU looks like a Tourney team already. I don't see one that sucks. Marquette may end up being at the bottom. Xavier has the two losses but they played tough and have good numbers overall and split with LBS.
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Right on Paul. The Big East is going to be a bloodbath this year continuing the long history of it, despite the new makeup.
 
we have beaten them four times since 85 in the dome:

85 (final 4 team)
93 (mahoneys first year - we were second in the BE that year, and lost to them in the BE Tourney)
98 (players had to walk in the snow because a blizzard prevented the bus from getting to the arena
99 - game sandwiched between the epic Duke OT loss at MSG and the loss to UConn at MSG

so traditionally, we have a tough time there and some of our better teams in the last 30 years havent gotten it done up there....
 
I don't understand how it's not a must win. With limited opportunities for us to pad our resume, a very tough Big East that will definitely beat up on each other and inevitably not get the credit it deserves, this is one of our few chances. Especially since I don't see us beating Duke. St. Mary's and LBSU, while nice wins, are not marquee wins.
 
I don't understand how it's not a must win. With limited opportunities for us to pad our resume, a very tough Big East that will definitely beat up on each other and inevitably not get the credit it deserves, this is one of our few chances. Especially since I don't see us beating Duke. St. Mary's and LBSU, while nice wins, are not marquee wins.
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We have the win vs. Minnesota.
St Marys s/b a "quality win" for the committee.
As long as we take care of business in the BE - i think 11-7 minimum and win all other OOC games exceot Duke, we will be fine, even w/ a loss at the Cuse. This game would just pad the resume.

Assuming we lose to the Cuse and Duke, we will be 9-3 OOC (not counting Franklin Pierce since they are D-6).
11-7 BE puts us at 20-10 heading into the BET where we would need one more win to give us 21 wins....with the BE significantly improved from last year it would be criminal to leave us out with that resume.
 
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