Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="NineOneSeven, post: 2085840, member: 871"] Has any team ever had more negative 4 point swings than us in the last 3 games? I mean, how many times have we had a chance for a bucket just to either miss or turn it over, leading to points for the opponent? This happens for a few reasons imo: 1. Composure. They say the best teams are the ones that finish quarters (halves) strong. It's unbelievable how bad we are at closing first halves. Last night was an embarrassment. When you have the ball with the game clock under 20 seconds, under zero circumstances should the other team ever...EVER, get a shot up. I mean, the clock doesn't stop after a made basket! 2. Situational awareness. See the point above. We just completely lack this very underappreciated aspect of good basketball players/teams. 3. Focus. We lose it... a lot. Some of the lulls we go through are really, really bad. I think some of this comes down to coaching. 4. Effort. Why are we getting beaten in transition so much this year? Even on made baskets we struggle to get back. Far too many easy baskets for other teams. There was a stretch last night where GaTech scored a layup like 4 possessions in a row. Obviously interior defense with TT has been a problem all year, and when Lydon has foul trouble, but the lack of focus (see point above) and effort closing out on shooters in key moments (like the end of the first half) is tough to watch at times. I also think the rotations this year have been odd at times. The last 3 games we missed golden opportunities to grab a much needed W, which has only made it more difficult for ourselves the final 3 games. That's what bubble teams do, though. I want to see energy against Duke. If they simply outplay us and beat us, that's fine. They are a better team. I don't want to see the same constant mistakes that have killed us the last 3 games. We need this game. Play like it. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?