A Prediction: Marek Doesn't Start At Center vs Rutgers

[Ceerqqq]

**UPDATE! -- Well, it appears I did miss something, cuz it's been announced: the line up remains unchanged So much for the prediction business!

I know Jim Boeheim said Marek is our starting center when Sidibe is out, but I really won't be surprised to see him make an exception for this game. I'm more expecting than not to see either Frank or Jesse get their first start tonight.

Everything I've read about Rutgers says that their singular strength is their ability to dominate the paint with their two "elite-level" centers. They know Marek's value to Syracuse's offense, especially vs Rutgers' zone, so they're gonna try to get him in foul trouble as soon as possible, which means going right at him on offense.

The way I see it, if Boeheim starts Marek at center, it's because he hopes Marek can somehow play good enough defense vs those centers (who supposedly have some offensive skills) without fouling them. That is an ability Marek has shown only rarely. He's shown he can stop a skilled big man from scoring, but not without fouling him. He's shown that he can avoid foul trouble, but usually only by letting his man score without opposition.

So maybe Boeheim feels it won't hurt to at least try Marek at center to begin with to see if he can pull off. If so, I'd expect to see Jesse or Frank come in after Marek commits his first foul. Of course, that's problematic, cuz that 1 foul could ultimately be the difference in the game, so why risk even that first foul?

That's why I'm expecting to see either Jesse or Frank start this game. Maybe neither of them are ready yet for this kind of challenge, but they'd at least be able to burn up a few fouls at the center position without Marek's status being threatened.

I base all this on the guess that Marek would be 1) less vulnerable to foul trouble playing power forward on defense, and 2) being able to orchestrate our attack vs their zone from the top of the key on offense.

Am I missing something obvious?

 

[RF2044]

I know Jim Boeheim said Marek is our starting center when Sidibe is out, but I really won't be surprised to see him make an exception for this game. I'm more expecting than not to see either Frank or Jesse get their first start tonight.

Everything I've read about Rutgers says that their singular strength is their ability to dominate the paint with their two "elite-level" centers. They know Marek's value to Syracuse's offense, especially vs Rutgers' zone, so they're gonna try to get him in foul trouble as soon as possible, which means going right at him on offense.

The way I see it, if Boeheim starts Marek at center, it's because he hopes Marek can somehow play good enough defense vs those centers (who supposedly have some offensive skills) without fouling them. That is an ability Marek has shown only rarely. He's shown he can stop a skilled big man from scoring, but not without fouling him. He's shown that he can avoid foul trouble, but usually only by letting his man score without opposition.

So maybe Boeheim feels it won't hurt to at least try Marek at center to begin with to see if he can pull off. If so, I'd expect to see Jesse or Frank come in after Marek commits his first foul. Maybe neither of them are ready yet for this kind of challenge, but they'd at least be able to burn up a few fouls at the center position without Marek's status being threatened.

I base all this on the guess that Marek would be 1) less vulnerable to foul trouble playing power forward on defense, and 2) being able to orchestrate our attack vs their zone from the top of the key on offense.

Am I missing something obvious?

I mean... yeah, I think we're going to see one [or more] of those guys play more, to burn fouls and to protect Marek.

But I also think that the matchup problem works on both ends of the court. Those big goons have to also play Marek, and I expect him to try to force them to move their feet and play him away from the basket, dare them to defend him on drives, etc.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Have 15 fouls to spare. I start Frank. See what happens. Move marek around as necessary. Put in Ajak for a few minutes at ten min mark. We have the ability to play these guys and see what they can do or get away with (fouls).

 

[GooseMutt]

Marek will be taking more rib shots tonight. They are going to physically after him

 

[Scangg]

B1G Cliff has started every game this season so far for RU but only scored on dunks off lobs and putbacks. He hasn't shown any offensive post moves as of yet.

Myles has post moves and can finish around the basket outside of only dunks. Rutgers does not typically run the offensive through our big men

 

[moqui]

we may see them the earliest yet, but i don't think as starter

 

[007]

I know Jim Boeheim said Marek is our starting center when Sidibe is out, but I really won't be surprised to see him make an exception for this game. I'm more expecting than not to see either Frank or Jesse get their first start tonight.

Everything I've read about Rutgers says that their singular strength is their ability to dominate the paint with their two "elite-level" centers. They know Marek's value to Syracuse's offense, especially vs Rutgers' zone, so they're gonna try to get him in foul trouble as soon as possible, which means going right at him on offense.

The way I see it, if Boeheim starts Marek at center, it's because he hopes Marek can somehow play good enough defense vs those centers (who supposedly have some offensive skills) without fouling them. That is an ability Marek has shown only rarely. He's shown he can stop a skilled big man from scoring, but not without fouling him. He's shown that he can avoid foul trouble, but usually only by letting his man score without opposition.

So maybe Boeheim feels it won't hurt to at least try Marek at center to begin with to see if he can pull off. If so, I'd expect to see Jesse or Frank come in after Marek commits his first foul. Of course, that's problematic, cuz that 1 foul could ultimately be the difference in the game, so why risk even that first foul?

That's why I'm expecting to see either Jesse or Frank start this game. Maybe neither of them are ready yet for this kind of challenge, but they'd at least be able to burn up a few fouls at the center position without Marek's status being threatened.

I base all this on the guess that Marek would be 1) less vulnerable to foul trouble playing power forward on defense, and 2) being able to orchestrate our attack vs their zone from the top of the key on offense.

Am I missing something obvious?

The only thing obvious that you are missing is JB's MO.

Marek will start at the 5 tonight. He might come out in the 1st half IF he has 3 fouls. It will be interesting to see who the 1st big is off the bench. My bet is Frank.

 

[OrangeDW]

Marek will be taking more rib shots tonight. They are going to physically after him

Feel like Bol Ajak is capable of going in and hammering people, if they want to play those games.

If nothing else, I like having a lot of available fouls this year.

 

[General20]

I know Jim Boeheim said Marek is our starting center when Sidibe is out, but I really won't be surprised to see him make an exception for this game. I'm more expecting than not to see either Frank or Jesse get their first start tonight.

Everything I've read about Rutgers says that their singular strength is their ability to dominate the paint with their two "elite-level" centers. They know Marek's value to Syracuse's offense, especially vs Rutgers' zone, so they're gonna try to get him in foul trouble as soon as possible, which means going right at him on offense.

The way I see it, if Boeheim starts Marek at center, it's because he hopes Marek can somehow play good enough defense vs those centers (who supposedly have some offensive skills) without fouling them. That is an ability Marek has shown only rarely. He's shown he can stop a skilled big man from scoring, but not without fouling him. He's shown that he can avoid foul trouble, but usually only by letting his man score without opposition.

So maybe Boeheim feels it won't hurt to at least try Marek at center to begin with to see if he can pull off. If so, I'd expect to see Jesse or Frank come in after Marek commits his first foul. Of course, that's problematic, cuz that 1 foul could ultimately be the difference in the game, so why risk even that first foul?

That's why I'm expecting to see either Jesse or Frank start this game. Maybe neither of them are ready yet for this kind of challenge, but they'd at least be able to burn up a few fouls at the center position without Marek's status being threatened.

I base all this on the guess that Marek would be 1) less vulnerable to foul trouble playing power forward on defense, and 2) being able to orchestrate our attack vs their zone from the top of the key on offense.

Am I missing something obvious?

Rutgers centers aren't the scorers you think they are. They are big, good athletes, and good defensively, but they aren't huge scorers.

Dolezaj will start at center tonight and play as much as he is able.

I'm more worried about our ability to defend in transition than in half court, and Dolezaj will be best at that.

 

[HtownOrange]

MD will make the Rutgers bigs move out. QG sneaks in behind the bigs and scores a couple of times and the Rutgers bigs become useless (relatively speaking),

I like MD's ability to play anywhere. His time as a guard when young and playing higher level/bigger kids gives him the PG mindset, passing, and dribbling skills to school the bigs and draw fouls.

Our two centers off the bench will get schooled a bit by the Rutgers bigs but this is not all bad as MD will will be able to move to the 4.

Just another opinion.

 

[CardiacCuse]

this year the center position is as deep as it needs to be. SU won't get bodied to losses like it did last season...manhandled quite a bit.

I expect the usual suspects to play the whole game and if need be the backup centers will be thrown in to foul and protect the paint...they are like insurance...better when not used but glad you have them.

 

[007]

Rutgers centers aren't the scorers you think they are. They are big, good athletes, and good defensively, but they aren't huge scorers.

Dolezaj will start at center tonight and play as much as he is able.

I'm more worried about our ability to defend in transition than in half court, and Dolezaj will be best at that.

If Rutgers is smart, they will pound it inside if for no other reason than to get our bigs in foul trouble. Our interior defense is going to an issue against any reasonably talented bigs.

 

[eatmatsroe]

pretty bold thing to say imo.

i would be super shocked MD doesn't start.

i would be shocked in WN isn't first off the bench, and take the place of one of our C or anyone on the floor

i would be shocked if edwards plays more than 5 minutes he entire game..but i guess the back up C situation can go many different ways .

only way we see a lot of frankie/edwards/ajak is if marek does get in foul trouble and we're getting destroyed underneath. but again,..i think newton is an excellent defender enough to keep all 3 on the bench and play 20 minutes tonight

 

[007]

pretty bold thing to say imo.

i would be super shocked MD doesn't start.

i would be shocked in WN isn't first off the bench, and take the place of one of our C or anyone on the floor

i would be shocked if edwards plays more than 5 minutes he entire game..but i guess the back up C situation can go many different ways .

only way we see a lot of frankie/edwards/ajak is if marek does get in foul trouble and we're getting destroyed underneath. but again,..i think newton is an excellent defender enough to keep all 3 on the bench and play 20 minutes tonight

Big opportunity for Woody and Kadary to show out tonight. I agree that Woody will likely be the first rotational player in tonight.

I think we might see some of the big at the top zone look to get more size on the floor before we see any of the real 5s off the bench.

 

[Bulldog04]

The only thing obvious that you are missing is JB's MO.

Marek will start at the 5 tonight. He might come out in the 1st half IF he has 3 fouls. It will be interesting to see who the 1st big is off the bench. My bet is Frank.

Thank you my friend for sharing what is actually going to happen

 

[Bulldog04]

If anyone thinkA Frank or Jesse are starting over a senior who is possibly the best player on the team, you need to be checked out by an actual trained doctor

 

[eatmatsroe]

my prediction is braswell and edwards enter transfer protocol after the season. seems like both of these players are going to be hopelessly blocked and forgotten. obv both will press when they do play heir small amount making it even harder for them to produce.

i mean,..if braswell doesn't play with 2 starters out when is he ever

 

[Ceerqqq]

If anyone thinkA Frank or Jesse are starting over a senior who is possibly the best player on the team, you need to be checked out by an actual trained doctor

Not sure if that was directed at me, but I never suggested that Marek wouldn't start; I only predicted he wouldn't start at center. Obviously, he'd start at PF in this case and probably Griffen would be first off the bench. I know I didn't specify that, but it seems kind of obvious, for the very reason you stated.
Kinda weird that you'd imagine differently?

 

[OrangeDW]

my prediction is braswell and edwards enter transfer protocol after the season. seems like both of these players are going to be hopelessly blocked and forgotten. obv both will press when they do play heir small amount making it even harder for them to produce.

i mean,..if braswell doesn't play with 2 starters out when is he ever

Benny Williams coming in at forward next year too...

 

[moqui]

my prediction is braswell and edwards enter transfer protocol after the season. seems like both of these players are going to be hopelessly blocked and forgotten. obv both will press when they do play heir small amount making it even harder for them to produce.

i mean,..if braswell doesn't play with 2 starters out when is he ever

imho, it's bad form to predict transfers, especially this early in the season.

in any case, there is going to be pt available for 2 centers next year & there is nowhere near enough data yet to determine whether any two have absolutely locked it down

 

[Cusefan0307]

Fans love making predictions that have zero chance of happening.

 

[obliterata]

if FA's or JE's mother becomes the coach before 9:30, only then

 

[Nicknack]

I know Jim Boeheim said Marek is our starting center when Sidibe is out, but I really won't be surprised to see him make an exception for this game. I'm more expecting than not to see either Frank or Jesse get their first start tonight.

Everything I've read about Rutgers says that their singular strength is their ability to dominate the paint with their two "elite-level" centers. They know Marek's value to Syracuse's offense, especially vs Rutgers' zone, so they're gonna try to get him in foul trouble as soon as possible, which means going right at him on offense.

The way I see it, if Boeheim starts Marek at center, it's because he hopes Marek can somehow play good enough defense vs those centers (who supposedly have some offensive skills) without fouling them. That is an ability Marek has shown only rarely. He's shown he can stop a skilled big man from scoring, but not without fouling him. He's shown that he can avoid foul trouble, but usually only by letting his man score without opposition.

So maybe Boeheim feels it won't hurt to at least try Marek at center to begin with to see if he can pull off. If so, I'd expect to see Jesse or Frank come in after Marek commits his first foul. Of course, that's problematic, cuz that 1 foul could ultimately be the difference in the game, so why risk even that first foul?

That's why I'm expecting to see either Jesse or Frank start this game. Maybe neither of them are ready yet for this kind of challenge, but they'd at least be able to burn up a few fouls at the center position without Marek's status being threatened.

I base all this on the guess that Marek would be 1) less vulnerable to foul trouble playing power forward on defense, and 2) being able to orchestrate our attack vs their zone from the top of the key on offense.

Am I missing something obvious?

I like your thinking and you make some good points. However, Boeheim is going to do Boeheim. Although, I do think we will see plenty of Frank and Jesse, just not starting. That said, it would actually be fun to see something different like Frank starting. That would be a massive change in what we all know Boeheim likes to do. 2020 has been a crazy year like no other, but not that crazy.

 

[kcsu]

If anyone thinkA Frank or Jesse are starting over a senior who is possibly the best player on the team, you need to be checked out by an actual trained doctor

Lets make sure the doc isnt from the football team

 

[orangemass]

Bad prediction