What Rivalry

In a game that was the most highly anticipated game since I have been at SU, the Cuse told all their haters to shhhhhhhhhh.  Believe me, there are still some people not believing in this team, but after mondays performence I dont see how you cant.  Forget that Syracuse is #4 in both polls, they are #1 in RPI and their Strength of Schedule is #6, o and not to mention they are 20-1 and 7-1 in the Big East.  Still, going into Monday, all you heard was that Syracuse had not been challenged by a "legit" team and that the Hoyas would pound them inside with Monroe, kick it out to Freemon and the scorching hot Hoyas would win.  In fact, some tool from OUR OWN PAPER picked G'Town over Cuse on monday. 

Let me set the scene on Monday before I delve into the actual game.  The DO (DailyOrange for those who dont know) devoted 7 articles and over half the newspaper to the game.  All the talk was that this rivalry, once top 5 in college basketball, was now back.  The first time both Cuse and G'Town were in the top 10 and played each other since 1990.  All the talk was that it was back, and that this was the biggest game the Dome has seen in over five years.  Syracuse #4 G'Town #7 (in the AP) EVERYONE was talking about this matchup.  Sensing this is going to be a huge crowd, I waited on line at 6, an hour before the game.  The line wrapped around half the Dome, I could not believe my eyes, never have I EVER seen our student section line like this.  It took 35 mins to get in, which has me thinking for the Nova game (a matchup that could very well be a #1 vs #2 matchup) could take over an hour and a half to get in, and possibly the biggest game in Carrier Dome history.  What we all saw was a beat down that would make old John Thompson want to kill himself.

Before anyone even sat down it was 14-0 G'Town.  Shock, disbelief.  Everyone was searching for answers, WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPEND!!!???  Where we really going to get blown out in the biggest game in the last five years at home?  Slowly we came back, with a monster effort by Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph and somehow led 34-29 at the half.  I would have to say that 34-15 run was the most proud I have been rooting for this team in the four years I have been here.  Every year it seems this team is just not up to snuff, but this year against a team on FIRE like G'Town, they proved they are for real.  And just for good measure, proceeded to BLOW OUT G'Town A TOP 10 TEAM by 17 points.  What an effort, you cant say anything less.  The crowd, which I have been on at times, came out ready and was AWSOME, the team responded, and G'Town did not stand a freaking chance.

I will have to say, I have been on Arinze's case the whole year.  People who know me know that.  But he, Rick Jackson, and to an extent Wes Johnson SHUT DOWN Greg Monroe, who by the way is going to be a top 10 pick in the NBA Draft come June.  My take on Monroe, he looked soft, tenditive, and a bit scared.  8 Pts, 4 Reb and fouling out is an atrocious game for someone trying to prove to the country he is a top 10 pick.  But as I said, Arinze and the Brick, Action Jackson where big reasons for that.  A guy who I WOULD take on my NBA roster is Austin Freeman.  What a performence.  There is never enough spots for a guy who can drain threes at will.  Freeman is under sized in height but is huge, listed a 230 and can stroke it as good as anyone in the country.  He was on fire yesterday, especially in the beginning, but that is a guy who will come up big come Tourny time.

The X-factor of the game was Scoop, hands down.  He hit two HUGE shots to get the crowd back into the game and stop the Hoyas onsluaght.  Kris Joseph has turned into a very good player, someone who will be the star of this team next year, and proved it on monday.  Another guy I am so impressed with is Andy Rautins.  When he came in 5 years ago he was nothing but a lanky shooter.  Now?  He can shoot, pass, and play defense, his 2.4 stl per game ranks 2nd in the Big East, and is putting up 5.5 ast a game. 

Hero of the Game

Wes Johnson

-It sounds like a broken record, but Wes Johnson made so many plays in this game that you have to believe he will be the 2nd name called behind John Wall in the NBA Draft this June.  Wes finished with 14 (5-9) 9 Rbs, 3 stl and 4 blks.  His two blocks in a row almost brought the house down along with his and-1 ally oop.  The one negative thing, actually two, about Wes is that he does not shoot enough and he MOST stop turning the ball over.  13 turnovers in two games is GOD AWFUL, absolutly pathetic.  He tries to sneak the ball into traffic one too many times, and that kills rallies.  Let me say this, wheather its Scoop, Andy, Kris Jospeh, Wes Johnson etc, Syracuse has about 3-5 RIDICULOUSLY dumb plays.  It could be an ally oop to nobody, a pass in traffic, a baseball pass that is over thrown etc.  So far it has not come at a crucial time, and hopefully it never will, but Jimmy B, SAY SOMETHING DO SOMETHING!!!

Defender of the Game

-Rick Jackson, Wes Johnson, Arinze (Sigh), Andy Rautins

- I cant believe I am saying this but Arinze is part of the trio of defensive player of the game.  Arinze grabbed 7 Rbs, and added 3 hard fouls (all three were decent fouls to give) and played Monroe very well straight up (sorry, no stats for doing that).  Rick grabbed only 4 rbs but added 3 blks and also played Monroe very well in the post.  As for Wes Johnson, 9 Rbs, 4 blks, 3 stls.  He was fearless on the boards and stepping into passes.  Lastly, you cant ignore Andy, who continues to play fabulous defense adding 6 steals which lead to four of his six assists. 

Zero of the Game

Greg Monroe

- Here is a guy who NBADraft.net had going #10 to the Bucks, a guy averaging 15-10 along with 3 Ast, a guy who put up 24-15 vs Butler, 15-10 vs Uconn, 29-16 vs Nova, and 13-11 vs Pitt PUT UP 8-4, six turnovers AND FOULED OUT against Cuse.  If you want to say Monroe is a project, you can, he has been the next coming of Dwight Howard at times, and he has been the step brother of Arinze at other times.  But he was on a roll coming into this game and for him to lay an egg like that is unacceptable for Georgetown.  They need him if G'Town is going to go anywhere.

What We Learned

-We learned that Syracuse is possibly the best team in the country.  Georgetown came in this game winning 4 out of 5, beating Uconn, BARELY losing to Nova, and beating Pitt on the road to snap Pitt's home winning streak.  G'Town had lost some games, but all where by 5 pts or less.  Syracuse did not just beat Georgetown, they DESTROYED THEM.  Cuse has beat every team they have played but Pitt, and every team loses at least one game (look at Kentucky last night as an example).  Syracuse is a force to be wreckon with, and anyone who says other wise is lying.  With game against DePaul and Providence, Syracuse most likely, will be 22-1 going into a trap game @ Cinncy.  I would not for a second overlook the Bearcats, this is a game Cuse can very easily lose.  In all honesty though, looking at the next seven games headed into the MONSTEROUS game vs Nova, I think we have a shot to lose only two games, @ Cinncy, and @ G'Town.  THATS IT.  I dont see us losing to DePaul or Providence twice, I dont see Louisville at home being an issue, and I think playing UConn at home is a benfit of the schedule.  That leaves @ Cinncy and @ G'Town as games I can see us losing, and frankly, what I saw from G'Town on monday, I dont see them coming close.

- Lew