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

Cuse is On the Loose

Yea, I know what your thinking, "What, is this blog updated every three weeks."  Well, believe me that was not my intention but its harder than people think.  Anyway, looks like Syracuse is legit.  I am loving Wes Johnson, who in two months has turned himself into a potential good fit to the 2nd overall pick in the NBA Draft come June.  Andy Rautins actually plays defense now, Rick plays a little more under controlled, Arinze is still soft, Kris Joseph has suddenly emerged as a legit 6th man, and the Triche/Scoop combo has not killed us....yet.  Let me get back to Wes Johnson.  To all the people who just go by numbers (and believe me I do as well) he is beyond that.  Here is an example.  In today's game Johnson, who is 6'7, jumped OVER Marquette forward Jimmy Butler who is roughly the same height as him.  Johnson proceeded to grab the rebound, even though Butler had position, and as I said before jumped over him and put the ball in the basket.  In basketball you cant teach intangibles and athletic ability, and Johnson possess both qualities.  He is an inside/outside player, plays defense and fits exceptionally well in a 2-3 zone with his long wing span, and o, did I mention he is averaging nearly 10 boards a game?  The guy is the best player I have seen here at Cuse, and that includes Johnny Flynn.  If only Johnny stayed, (like he said he would remember) could you imagine this team?  Flynn to Johnson would be the most amazing thing to watch in college basketball this year, way over John Wall and Kentucky.  I will say this:  If Johnny was still on this team (forget the me-first Devendorf and offensivly inept Paul Harris) Cuse would be the first team to go undefeated since the 1976 Bobby Knight led Indiana Hoosiers.  The team is already 19-1, why wouldnt they be undefeated with Johnny Flynn, a guy who is putting up 14 a game in the NBA.

Lets get back to this game today.  The first half I felt Cuse was a little sloppy, and were not focused.  Acker and Odom kept draining threes, and Cuse was a little hesitent on the offensive side.  Marquette took a 34-27 lead and looked like a team ready to bounce back after an absolutly horrendous loss to DePaul.  Cuse then went on a 7-0 run to close the half, and eventually a 43-19 run to go up 70-53 with four mins left in the game.  Getting back to the first half, Wes Johnson was untouchable, scoring at will, and Rick "the brick, action" Jackson scored 8 consecutive points.  Once Cuse realized that that height-challenged Marquette Eagles were not going to challenge them inside, thats when we took off. 

In the second half more of the same, pounding the ball inside and scoring at will.  As I mentioned Cuse took a 70-53 lead with 4 mins left....and then it all came apart.  Marquette ended the game on a 18-6 run, covered the spread (of course) and left every Cuse fan wondering what the hell.  In addition, what can we expect for monday night's HUUUUUUUUUGE game vs hated Georgetown.  This is the 5th time Syracuse had blown a huge lead after the first half of a game.  Luckily, four out of the five turned into wins, Pitt being the only loss (the others were by my count, Florida, Seton Hall, West Virginia, and Marquette).  Heres the deal, if Cuse continues to do this, we are not winning a National Title.  In fact, we are not getting to the Final Four.  The two flaws I see in this team is free throw shooting and failing to close out games.  Winning a game by five points when you were up by 17 with four mins left is unacceptable.  The defense loosens up, the offense goes stale, and everything goes wrong.  I am interested to see how Cuse comes out against Georgetown on Monday. 

GAME BALLS:

Best Player:

Wes Johnson

-That was easy.  Wes totally dominated the game on offense and defense (22 pts, 15 reb, 2 stl) and continues to put his name in the POY race.  Needs to cut down on the turnovers though, 6 is a lot especially from a forward.

Best Defender:

Rick Jackson:

-Rick played a very good game (12 pts 5 reb) but his it was his blocks (7) that caused people to take notice.  Unlike Arinze who had zero blocks, Rick challenged every Marquette player who went in the paint, and swatted his shot away.  Kudos to Andy Rautins as well defensivly. Rautins actually did not even score, was COMPLETLY taken out of the game by Acker, Odom, and Butler.  In fact, Andy only took two shots today, missing both.  However, his defense in the second half was steller, grabbing three steals and breaking up several passes.  Plus, Marquette in the 2nd half was not shooting as well as they did in the first from the primeter, and you can credit Rautins for some of that.

ZERO OF THE GAME

Marquette's Interior Defense

-The reason Marquette is not going to the Tournament this year is because they have no size.  When Lazar Heyward is your center (6'7 on a good day) you have a problem.  Arinze might not be tall, or tough, (well in fact Arinze sucks) but at least he is 6'9 and close to 300 pounds in additon to Rick who is the 6'8 or 6'9.  Marquette on the other hand has nobody who is taller than 6'7, and nobody heavier than 250.  They could not stop Arinze who was 6 of 7, Rick who was 5 of 5, Johnson was 6 of 8 inside, and Kris Joseph who was 3 of 7 inside.  In additon anyone who drove to the hoop either scored or was fouled, in fact Marquette incredibly did not have a block on the day in additon to racking up 20 fouls, or 7 more than Cuse did including all three Marquette forwards having four fouls.  HONARABLE MENTION: Cuse's three point shooting.  1-8 which comes out to a nice 12.5% but again, if the inside was open as often as it was today, you dont need to be chucking threes. 

WHAT YOU LEARNED:

You learned that Marquette cannot keep up with the big boys this year.  I know they have had some decent wins this year (Xavier, Gtown) and came close with Nova twice, and lost on a last second three to West Virginia, but this game was not close in the second half, and in my opinion Syracuse is the best team they have played this season, yes, even better than Nova (Ask Joe Lunardi and his new Bracketology board).  As for Cuse, they keep rolling, 19-1 and after UConn beat Texas, will be #4 on Monday (as you might know Texas lost twice this week, and therefore drop out of the top 5 to most likly 6) in the polls.  This team keeps rolling and if they beat Gtown will have three gimmes against DePaul, Providence and Cinncy until they are home against UConn. 

- Lew

Syracuse Ranked 9th in Country

I know, I know, I did not comment about my Cuse destroying Cal and UNC at Garden on Thursday and Friday.  Amazing, I havent heard a buzz on campus in all of my four years like the one I heard after we beat UNC 87-71 on friday.  Everyone is pumped, the city, the students everyone cannot believe we put on a performence we did against the likes of Cal and UNC.  Ok,ok, I know Cal is missing two of their best players and UNC is very inexperienced and young, but still they were both pre season hyped; ranked #13 and #4 respectively.  The Orange did not just beat them, they KILLED both teams, punished them. 

Wes Johnson could be an All American, the guy is a future lottery pick and showed why in this tournament.  I am not entirely sold on this though, I know, they looked fantastic, but they have a long way to go.  The Big East is extremly tough, and Nova, UConn, Louisville, West Virginia, Georgetown and even Pitt and Notre Dame will be hard games.  Not too mention tough games at Florida (played in Tampa) and home vs Memphis.  Niether Pitt, Notre Dame, Florida, or Memphis are ranked but they are still tough games, which could yield a loss. 

All in all, the Cuse looks good, the big improvement from last year is the defense, which looks very, very good.  You want to play the what if game, look at the 2009-2010 roster if Johnny Flynn did not want to go for the lime-light (I dont blame him, he was picked 6th I mean top 10 pick, you have to go) and if Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf did not hate coach Boehiem and the school respectively. 

Starting Lineup:
Johnny Flynn
Eric Devendorf
Wes Johnson
Rick Jackson
Arinze Onauku
Bench:
Paul Harris
Andy Rautins
Scoop Jardine
Brandon Triche
Kris Joseph

That right there my friend is a National Championship team that might go undefeated.  I am not kidding, that team is so ridiculous it is unfair. 

- Lew