A little something to ponder

[Lawrinson14]

I don't want to put too much stock into the win last night as it was simply another win in the beginning of January against a lower-tier BE team. However, the more I think about the game in Providence, the more I am impressed.

We were basically ripe for an upset. Think about this:

1. It was an away game, which are always tough in the BE
2. We did not have the refs on our side (which can be debated, but I think it was fairly obvious)
3. Our back up center Baye was a no-go
4. Fab and Rak were in foul trouble the whole game
5. CJ, a 6-6ish forward had to man the middle in the 2nd half
6. Providence shot roughly 50% for the game
7. The # of free throw attempts were lopsided: 28 attempts for Providence, 16 for SU

Not sure how many teams would have been able to win under such conditions, let alone a 14 pt victory.

 

[SoBristol]

Good points.

It would be easy to be reading our #1 clippings and taking Providence lightly.

Seton Hall had played right into the block party; DePaul had a strange game plan to get into a running/pressing game. Lots of SU talk on the tube. Easy for our guys to become over-confident.

We hadn't been shooting well from the outside.

Yet, we responded to the challenges (as you mention) and won a game where we needed the half court offense to come through.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

#'s 4 and 5 might be over stated a bit. Fab didn't pick up his forth foul until 11 minutes left in the game. Rak came in to replace him (having 3 fouls), and picked up two fouls within the span of 2 minutes. JB went "small" with CJ in the middle of the zone for approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Fab came back in around the 5:40 mark and played the rest of the game.

I think the whole thing shows how much depth we really have. In any other year, we've never have 3 centers at our disposal. Baye being out hurt us a bit (foul management), but it didn't kill us.

 

[IthacaMatt]

#'s 4 and 5 might be over stated a bit. Fab didn't pick up his forth foul until 11 minutes left in the game. Rak came in to replace him (having 3 fouls), and picked up two fouls within the span of 2 minutes. JB went "small" with CJ in the middle of the zone for approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Fab came back in around the 5:40 mark and played the rest of the game.

I think the whole thing shows how much depth we really have. In any other year, we've never have 3 centers at our disposal. Baye being out hurt us a bit (foul management), but it didn't kill us.

When we were forced to go small, we couldn't stop them at all - they scored about 4 or 5 straight times before James drew that charge, which was HUGE.

Rak was awful. They scored almost every time they got into the lane when he was in there. He needs to improve by a LOT.

 

[SourShoes]

Rak looks relatively terrible and weak out there. That blown dunk attempt during the deapaul game where he was stuffed by the rim illustrates the issue. Dude needs to pull a Fab in the off season...

 

[kuethstheman]

#'s 4 and 5 might be over stated a bit. Fab didn't pick up his forth foul until 11 minutes left in the game. Rak came in to replace him (having 3 fouls), and picked up two fouls within the span of 2 minutes. JB went "small" with CJ in the middle of the zone for approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Fab came back in around the 5:40 mark and played the rest of the game.

I think the whole thing shows how much depth we really have. In any other year, we've never have 3 centers at our disposal. Baye being out hurt us a bit (foul management), but it didn't kill us.

All true but I bet Fab goes 35+ minutes, without foul trouble. vs. 22 and also played that last 5 or so minutes while having to avoid his 5th foul. Big impact.

 

[Fairlylegal]

This isn't really 7 points as much as it is 4. #3, 4, & 5 are all the same point - we were short handed on big men. #2&7 are also the same - we weren't getting calls.

Lets stop making excuses. As the #1 team, we should be able to win road games against big east teams. Things aren't getting any easier when we have to face teams who have actually won games in the big east. Also, injuries are part of the game and we're 10 deep so we should be the most prepared in the country to deal with them. That being said, I agree that a a big man injury on this team can really hurt us.

 

[orangecuse]

Rak looks relatively terrible and weak out there. That blown dunk attempt during the deapaul game where he was stuffed by the rim illustrates the issue. Dude needs to pull a Fab in the off season...

Well, he is a frosh and gaining valuable experience. He did make a big contribution in last night's game (when Providence cut the lead in the 2nd half down to 6) with a nice rebound and put back after a brick 3 by Joseph from the left wing...ending their mini-run.

 

[realorange]

Well, he is a frosh and gaining valuable experience. He did make a big contribution in last night's game (when Providence cut the lead in the 2nd half down to 6) with a nice rebound and put back after a brick 3 by Joseph from the left wing...ending their mini-run.

And the refs were giving him no slack at all.

 

[moqui]

Rak looks relatively terrible and weak out there. That blown dunk attempt during the deapaul game where he was stuffed by the rim illustrates the issue. Dude needs to pull a Fab in the off season...

we knew he was raw offensively coming in, so I never expected much from him on that end. Biggest thing for him at this point is the passes have to be exactly on the money for him to convert. If he has to take a pass below his waist or a touch behind him, he won't convert. That split second it takes to gather is too much for him right now.

All in all, though, I like what I have seen from him in limited minutes. As for "pulling a Fab," most player make their biggest leaps between their freshman and sophomore seasons. I think Rak is going to come in huge for SU next year.

 

[SkanSU]

we knew he was raw offensively coming in, so I never expected much from him on that end. Biggest thing for him at this point is the passes have to be exactly on the money for him to convert. If he has to take a pass below his waist or a touch behind him, he won't convert. That split second it takes to gather is too much for him right now.

All in all, though, I like what I have seen from him in limited minutes. As for "pulling a Fab," most player make their biggest leaps between their freshman and sophomore seasons. I think Rak is going to come in huge for SU next year.

If he is at SU next year ...

 

[moqui]

If he is at SU next year ...

oh, please.

 

[pearl31]

Rak looks relatively terrible and weak out there. That blown dunk attempt during the deapaul game where he was stuffed by the rim illustrates the issue. Dude needs to pull a Fab in the off season...

 

[310Pigpen]

If he is at SU next year ...

Why wouldn't he be?

 

[OttoMets]

And the refs were giving him no slack at all.

The second foul was one of the worst calls you'll ever see. Christmas slid right alongside the Providence player, completely upright, and had a shoulder dropped into his chest. Foul on Christmas.

 

[SaintTristan]

If he is at SU next year ...

Thats silly. Everyone was questioning what JB did with melo last yr. Still questioning him now? No. maybe it'll work with Rak.

I think it is a strange way to handle PT as well, however, it clearly worked. he will be back next yr and he will be fine. maybe he'll start and maybe he wont. i suppose that will be up to coleman.

But i do know with DW and MCW leading the way team is going to be insane.

 

[moqui]

But i do know with DW and MCW leading the way team is going to be insane.

I see what you did there . . .

 

[SoBeCuse]

I was impressed with PC's frontcourt. That C from Georgia is going to be very good and #23 was getting after it. IMO, they were one of the more athletic frontcourts we'll see all season.