Pretty amazing development in 5 games... | Syracusefan.com

Pretty amazing development in 5 games...

Jake

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the team looked completely lost offensively in the second exhibition game, the turnaround since then has been impressive. And the defense has been largely terrific. Here's what I think I think:

I knew Frank was going to be given a long leash given JBs comments preseason. There's a reason he's got 1000 wins. So I expected better play. I did not expect a steady confident mid range game and his overall confidence. Much credit to him.

Let's hope Battle recovers quickly. He's a 20ppg player this year.

Overall team chemistry is muuuuuch better this year. I think we probably all underestimated the impact of having a guy (not overlyselfishly) showcase himself for the NBA (White), an unhappy PG, and Thompson's weirdness on last year's team. As fans, it's much more fun to watch teams that have good chemistry than those that don't.

As much as the defense around the rim has improved over last year, the real difference is the top of the zone. Battle and Howard have been terrific getting deflections, blocks and preventing easy entry passes. It really is the most important part of the zone. Last year we had a smurf and a player lacking in lateral quickness (White) up top, both trying to learn the zone. It was a train wreck. This defense will help us weather the inevitable offensive droughts.

The frosh. All have one thing in common. High BB IQ. They're more than just athletes. Even Washington comes in and always seems to make the solid, safe play. Love their upside.

Love to see the return of the transition game. All of our really good teams were able to get easy baskets by turning turnovers into transition baskets. We're going to need easy points because we are going to struggle scoring in ACC games.

If we had one more shooter, I'd feel better about getting into the dance. But I think it's going to be fun watching this team try to get there. They are a hustling likeable bunch.
 
I must say I have been very impressed, the freshman class is 10x better than I thought.

Frank Howard looks like a new man, I don't know what he did over the off season but he's transformed into an even better PG and a excellent shooter!

Brisset is a stud, love Mareks hustle and Moyer looks like Dennis Rodman 2.0
 
Great assessment. I think the team chemistry is extremely noticeable compared to the team last year. This team plays together as a team after 5 games better than last years team did after 30 games. I pray Battle is ready For MD on Monday night.
 
If we could just go on one of those patented early season JB runs and go 3-0 or 2-1 the next 3, it could really help our cause for getting to the dance. Matchups of course are everything and I really like how we present against both Maryland and Kansas. Maryland needs to be efficient and Kansas needs to push it. The zone presents a good obstacle to disrupt both of their playing styles and gives us a good shot in both games. My gut tells me we go 1-1 in these then we beat UConn to make it a successful stretch of games.
 
I know we have been playing mid majors, but the rebounding is the biggest development for me. When’s the last time we grabbed 50 boards in a game like last night? Oshae has the chance to be the most dominant rebounder we have had here in a long time.
 
Lots of great observations, Jake.

The upcoming run with Maryland, Kansas and UCONN will tell us a lot about this team. I am fairly certain that this will be a good to great (even by our standards) defensive team regardless. As you pointed out, a lot of that has to do with the length at the top of the zone. I think the length overall, and the shot blocking at the 5 are equally important reasons for the improved D. The other variable has been defensive rebounding.
 
I know we have been playing mid majors, but the rebounding is the biggest development for me. When’s the last time we grabbed 50 boards in a game like last night? Oshae has the chance to be the most dominant rebounder we have had here in a long time.

Its obviously super early and all that, but we're 23rd in the country in defensive rebounding%! In the entire Ken Pom era (when i first typed that phrase it was probably like 8 years, now it's been about 18 years, wow) the best we've ever ranked is 137th. And I've made this point before, but that was our 2008 team, one of our worst teams in that period.
 
Jake’s Point about likeability and team chemistry is so key. This team is fun and easy to root for and the guys seem to get along really well. You can see from all their interactions off the court even on social media it’s a tight, close group. They fight hard and hustle for each other. Love the mix of talent.

Have been very impressed with the inside games of Brissett, Chukwu and Sidibe. All have contributed more around the basket than we got all last year inside.

Moyer’s hustle and energy was huge in the second half. He was more composed and attacked. Big rebound slam was awesome too. Love his energy after that basket. Those types of guys are huge for chemistry as well. Really looking forward to watching a lot of these guys contribute over next few years.

Last years team was painful to root for at times. Not this year.
 
The frosh. All have one thing in common. High BB IQ.

I would add one more common trait — they all have good hands. They catch everything and grab loose balls.

Also on the frosh, Brissett is a really good fundamental rebounder. Gets a body on someone and then reaches forward to snatch the ball so a guy behind him can’t grab it or tip it. And Sidibe can use both hands, which most young bigs can’t.

When the team is young and/or not overly talented, it helps to have all the players be good fits for the Syracuse defense. Tall guards, long, rangy forwards, and rim-protecting centers.
 
The two big things to me is it looks like we can get 40 solid minutes a game out of the center spot, and between Sidibe, Marek and the Thorpedo we have a bench unit that provides more than just token minutes while the starters need a breather.
 
It's great to see. One additional element to the D turnaround from last year IMO, is effort.

Looks like the whole team is buying into the Zone (like some of the good D teams in the past). Starts up top, with Frank and Battle, in leadership roles, showing lots of energy, hustling, and contesting everything. Huge difference from last year.
 
Was looking so forward to watching these kids develop this year - my type of team. These young underrated low expectation teams that have to earn and battle for respect and actually buy into their roles, are my favorites. It's been great seeing JB teaching on the sidelines and so engaged with them. Things like hustle and effort on 50-50 balls is so telling about a team. It's a process (not always straightline) so patience from both the staff and fans will and has been paying off.
 
This team seems much more active on offense (now anyways). They seem to move the ball quicker. Even coming up court after inbounding, they move quicker instead of the slow mythical pac that sem to barelybeat the 10 sec clock last year. They also actively look inside more. (Helps to have centers withdecent hands)
 
Overall team chemistry is muuuuuch better this year. I think we probably all underestimated the impact of having a guy (not overlyselfishly) showcase himself for the NBA (White), an unhappy PG, and Thompson's weirdness on last year's team. As fans, it's much more fun to watch teams that have good chemistry than those that don't.

and also the fact that 2 rotation players were 5th year guys transferring in from schools without a winning culture. just another intangible thrown into last year's mix.

whatever the outcome of the season, this team looks like a typical syracuse team: big guards, length in the forwards, athleticism all over the place, shotblocking center(s). these are the ingredients that chef boeheim likes to cook with.
 
White didn't play top of the zone except for a few trials early on.
and after that he was marginal at best on the wing of the zone - great scorer but defense/rebounding were not his friend
 
Agree with much of this thread. I posted in another thread in response to a good post from Beadle what much of what I felt about the transfers from last year.

"Last year we didn't have a team. We had a group of individuals that sometimes played together.
As valuable in some ways that White and Gillon were, they were not Syracuse players in the truest sense and it made for an awkward situation that didn't help cohesiveness.
This year the difference in how the team works together is very obvious. It's such a pleasure to see them working hard to be the best they can be."
 
Great assessment, Jake.

As for the dance, I can't see this team coming up short. We need to get back to worrying about our seeding rather than getting in and I think this team will start the momentum swing that direction for years to come.
 
Agree with much of this thread. I posted in another thread in response to a good post from Beadle what much of what I felt about the transfers from last year.

"Last year we didn't have a team. We had a group of individuals that sometimes played together.
As valuable in some ways that White and Gillon were, they were not Syracuse players in the truest sense and it made for an awkward situation that didn't help cohesiveness.
This year the difference in how the team works together is very obvious. It's such a pleasure to see them working hard to be the best they can be."

Thing is, we wouldn’t have won 10 games without White and Gillon last year. Not 10.

I agree, the pieces fit much better this year and we’re much better equipped for the zone. I do still fear that there will be games where we can’t score, where we’re wishing we had White and Gillon. I think going forward we will be in great shape. Lots of nice, young pieces to help rebuild the program around are in place this year.
 
Thing is, we wouldn’t have won 10 games without White and Gillon last year. Not 10.

I agree, the pieces fit much better this year and we’re much better equipped for the zone. I do still fear that there will be games where we can’t score, where we’re wishing we had White and Gillon. I think going forward we will be in great shape. Lots of nice, young pieces to help rebuild the program around are in place this year.
this is of course true. sanctions devastated the program & jb had no choice but to bring in whatever mercenaries he could just to field a team. thanks to them for allowing su to field a somewhat competitive team last year, but that doesn't change my opinion that they were very bad fits for the program culture and we are very well off to be rid of them (and tt, too, for that matter)
 
...

Overall team chemistry is muuuuuch better this year. I think we probably all underestimated the impact of having a guy (not overlyselfishly) showcase himself for the NBA (White), an unhappy PG, and Thompson's weirdness on last year's team. As fans, it's much more fun to watch teams that have good chemistry than those that don't.

As much as the defense around the rim has improved over last year, the real difference is the top of the zone. Battle and Howard have been terrific getting deflections, blocks and preventing easy entry passes. It really is the most important part of the zone. Last year we had a smurf and a player lacking in lateral quickness (White) up top, both trying to learn the zone. It was a train wreck. ...

Good points, but I remember a few people who were concerned about the new guys' zone troubles (and the fact that they came from loser programs) last season. Can't fault their effort, but that experiment looked bad on paper and didn't work on the court.
 
the team looked completely lost offensively in the second exhibition game, the turnaround since then has been impressive. And the defense has been largely terrific. Here's what I think I think:

I knew Frank was going to be given a long leash given JBs comments preseason. There's a reason he's got 1000 wins. So I expected better play. I did not expect a steady confident mid range game and his overall confidence. Much credit to him.

Let's hope Battle recovers quickly. He's a 20ppg player this year.

Overall team chemistry is muuuuuch better this year. I think we probably all underestimated the impact of having a guy (not overlyselfishly) showcase himself for the NBA (White), an unhappy PG, and Thompson's weirdness on last year's team. As fans, it's much more fun to watch teams that have good chemistry than those that don't.

As much as the defense around the rim has improved over last year, the real difference is the top of the zone. Battle and Howard have been terrific getting deflections, blocks and preventing easy entry passes. It really is the most important part of the zone. Last year we had a smurf and a player lacking in lateral quickness (White) up top, both trying to learn the zone. It was a train wreck. This defense will help us weather the inevitable offensive droughts.

The frosh. All have one thing in common. High BB IQ. They're more than just athletes. Even Washington comes in and always seems to make the solid, safe play. Love their upside.

Love to see the return of the transition game. All of our really good teams were able to get easy baskets by turning turnovers into transition baskets. We're going to need easy points because we are going to struggle scoring in ACC games.

If we had one more shooter, I'd feel better about getting into the dance. But I think it's going to be fun watching this team try to get there. They are a hustling likeable bunch.
Sorry but by far the most important thing in the zone is rebounding

our zone often gets people to miss shots but we have to get the rebound that's the most important thing year in and year out in the zone
 

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