A Boeheim Post-game Comment We Should Take To Heart

[Shenexon]

"We've got a lot of difficult games ahead, particularly at the end of the year and those are the teams you have to beat," Boeheim said. "We haven't proven anything yet. We've beaten people we probably should have beaten. That's good. ... But the tough part of our schedule is coming up."

While we should be wildly enthusiastic about this team and the chances for a superb year, the latter part of February will be challenging. We haven't been tested in the BE as yet, though we played well in the "fourth quarter" of the closest non-conference games we've played so far. This team could be phenomenal if they, especially Fab, continue to progress as they have. Boeheim talked about Fab as well:

"He blocked some and he altered some," Boeheim said of Melo. "He's very good in the paint, he's gotten better, obviously one of the most improved players I've seen in a long time. And he affects the game."

I want to be cautious as JB suggested, but can't help but think this is going to be a very, VERY special year.

 

[cusetown1]

it's exactly what he should say.

 

[jdubs30]

JB does a good job of not letting the players heads get too big. He did it in 2010 and he's doing it now. The whole team seems focused. I love it.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Just like JB, I'm eagerly waiting to see how this team performs against another top team. So far, it only looks like UConn is up to challenging us in the Big East.

We will still have about 6 or 7 very difficult games in the regular season. We've caught a bit of a break with a manageable road schedule this year, playing some of our more difficult games at the Dome. I've got the @UConn and @Lville games circled on the schedule this year...those are the games that will really show us what we've got this year.

 

[rrlbees]

The BE did bone us with UConn (2), Lville(2) and GTown as 5 of our last 7.

 

[SU Pride]

The BE did bone us with UConn (2), Lville(2) and GTown as 5 of our last 7.

Just stay healthy. No matter what happens at the end of the season.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

The BE did bone us with UConn (2), Lville(2) and GTown as 5 of our last 7.

Yeah, I'd rather see them spread out a bit. No reason to have played Providence twice before you play any of those teams.

I think ESPN had a lot to do with it. They wanted the marquee matchups for late in the year.

 

[cusetown1]

The BE did bone us with UConn (2), Lville(2) and GTown as 5 of our last 7.

TMI

 

[Shenexon]

Just like JB, I'm eagerly waiting to see how this team performs against another top team. So far, it only looks like UConn is up to challenging us in the Big East.

We will still have about 6 or 7 very difficult games in the regular season. We've caught a bit of a break with a manageable road schedule this year, playing some of our more difficult games at the Dome. I've got the @UConn and @Lville games circled on the schedule this year...those are the games that will really show us what we've got this year.

I hope we don't get too beaten up at the end of the season & BE tournament, leaving us nicked up heading into the NCAA's. The long bench should help a lot, but MCW & Rak may not see as much PT in our most difficult games. I for one would love to see Tomaszewski cap off Louisville blowouts with 3's at the buzzer.

 

[realorange]

I hope we don't get too beaten up at the end of the season & BE tournament, leaving us nicked up heading into the NCAA's. The long bench should help a lot, but MCW & Rak may not see as much PT in our most difficult games. I for one would love to see Tomaszewski cap off Louisville blowouts with 3's at the buzzer.

Don't think you will see that happen. By the time we play the 'Ville, Rick will have them running much smoother than yesterday. Even taking what they did yesterday and putting it against us would be a tough game. We only have half of a Davis and K-G under the boards and Louisville held it close for a long time in spite of that advantage for Kentucky.
Hopefully Rak will have shown some real improvement by those late games because we are going to need him. As far as MCW, I think he will continue to get as much time as JB can keep him on the floor. The kid just has player written all over him.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Don't think you will see that happen. By the time we play the 'Ville, Rick will have them running much smoother than yesterday. Even taking what they did yesterday and putting it against us would be a tough game. We only have half of a Davis and K-G under the boards and Louisville held it close for a long time in spite of that advantage for Kentucky.
Hopefully Rak will have shown some real improvement by those late games because we are going to need him. As far as MCW, I think he will continue to get as much time as JB can keep him on the floor. The kid just has player written all over him.

Lville really hasn't done anything so far this year to make me think they are an elite team. Yes, we have struggled mightily vs them since they've joined the BE, but I still think we are the much better team across the board this year.

That being said, Lville teams typically play better later in the year and always seem to play us tough. I'll be happy with a split with them this year.

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

I'm glad we play them late. Means all the more time for guys like Southerland, MCW, and Rak to continue solidifying their roles against the "softer competition."

 

[pfister1]

The BE did bone us with UConn (2), Lville(2) and GTown as 5 of our last 7.

Actually I think they did us a favor with that schedule. With the trajectory that Fab and Dion are on I think it is great to finish up with the strongest games because I fully expect this team to be significantly better by the end of the year than they are right now. Not sure those other teams can say that.

 

[raf4488]

The BE did bone us with UConn (2), Lville(2) and GTown as 5 of our last 7.

The Gtown, UConn, @Lville stretch in February is brutal, especially with UConn/@Lville being Saturday/Monday.

 

[HoustonCuse]

Looevil will be much better by the time we play them unfortunately. But they were hideously terrible against UK and Georgetown. I think them sticking with UK was a much bigger indictment of the cats than it was an indication of UL being good. That said; we will be playing a much better version of the cards by mid Feb.

 

[IthacaMatt]

"We've got a lot of difficult games ahead, particularly at the end of the year and those are the teams you have to beat," Boeheim said. "We haven't proven anything yet. We've beaten people we probably should have beaten. That's good. ... But the tough part of our schedule is coming up."

While we should be wildly enthusiastic about this team and the chances for a superb year, the latter part of February will be challenging. We haven't been tested in the BE as yet, though we played well in the "fourth quarter" of the closest non-conference games we've played so far. This team could be phenomenal if they, especially Fab, continue to progress as they have. Boeheim talked about Fab as well:

"He blocked some and he altered some," Boeheim said of Melo. "He's very good in the paint, he's gotten better, obviously one of the most improved players I've seen in a long time. And he affects the game."

I want to be cautious as JB suggested, but can't help but think this is going to be a very, VERY special year.

Does anyone else find it kind of funny that we won't be "tested" by the Big East schedule - toughest conference in the country - until a month from now ??

 

[IthacaMatt]

The Gtown, UConn, @Lville stretch in February is brutal, especially with UConn/@Lville being Saturday/Monday.

This is where continuing to play 10 guys will come in handy. Less impact on the 2 day turnaround when your starters are all only playing about 20-25 minutes a game.

 

[RF2044]

This is where continuing to play 10 guys will come in handy. Less impact on the 2 day turnaround when your starters are all only playing about 20-25 minutes a game.

Agreed.

 

[SUintheVille]

I think ESPN had a lot to do with it. They wanted the marquee matchups for late in the year.

ESPN has to do with everything...unfortunately.

Also agree with the Louisville comments in this thread. They will be better later on, but so should we.