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Message: [QUOTE="billsin01, post: 1725335, member: 837"] I like when someone else puts together and incredibly long post b/c it makes me feel less bad when I do it. Good points in here as well. So I have a few personnel takeaways that I'll make shorter b/c I think you actually see a lot of it the way I did, as well as a few general takeaways, which I'll start with. [B]You've got to love all the hate.[/B] As a former media guy I tend to take the stance that the media may be in rough state these days and focused more on predicting the future and perceived scandals than actual news (or sports news, in this case), but when it comes to 'hating' syracuse I generally tend to believe most of the board is full of people who have about as much ability to handle criticism as a 12-year-old girl. However, in this case, there was an amazing amount of not only over-the-top criticism of the Cuse but poorly written, poorly articulated and generally baseless criticism. Gottlieb got nutty, somebody posted an article from a colorado paper about how terrible the whole tournament was b/c of the Cuse and then you had Bomani Jones (espn guy, think that's his name) going off on how a zone is cowardly b/c you'd never play it in pick-up (this one was particularly good). Anyway, bottom line, all it means is that we are a huge part of the college basketball world. We are relevant. We matter. And we should all love that. The football team had an exciting spring game but they could put up huge numbers and win 8 games this year but I'm not sure anyone outside of us would notice. Enjoy our status in college hoops. [B]How did we get to the final four?[/B] I loved JB's statement that he'll have to watch the tapes again to try and figure out how we got here b/c I feel the same way. I guess we played good d and Richardson was a one-man crew on the offensive boards. But it was a really odd run all in all. Enjoyable and awesome but strange. [B]Still would love to see this team able to score more consistently. [/B]My biggest frustration with this team all year were the struggles to consistently score. Feel like we've been in this spot for a while and this team was an improvement in the sense that it had multiple guys who were capable of scoring. Would love to see the next version of the Orange able to beat you in more of a variety of ways -- a little depth to potentially push the tempo at times, solid defensively but good enough offensively to win on a night when a team was giving the zone some fits. [B]Player take-aways[/B] [B]Mali/Lydon/Howard are all basketball players.[/B] I personally think Mali needs another year but it's his call. Lydon coming back is huge and I think Howard can take a legit step forward given his natural ability. But what I really like about all three is that they came to the Hill ready to play and contribute. Obviously opportunity is part of that but these kids weren't just specimens or talented offensive guys -- they all really played basketball and contributed in a variety of ways. Mali is probably more of a 2 but handled the wing in the zone admirably, rebounded a little, was really the only threat off the dribble and passed the ball well. Lydon improved tremendously defensively and though the offense came and went a bit, I think you're looking at a kid that will come back with a true inside/outside game and the ability to put it on the floor a little bit. That's extremely rare. Howard has a little ways to go but handled the ball well, got to the basket a little, passed well and should be solid on defense. Really impressive class. [B]Cooney saved his best for last.[/B] Crazy that Cooney leaves after playing really, really, really impressive basketball -- I'd argue the best of his career -- in the past 3.5 games. Good way to go out, a little sad that we didn't get there before, but ultimately the kid had a solid run. [B]Coleman did enough to become intriguing in '16-'17.[/B] If you had told me preseason that DC would average 16 mpg and 5 rpg in a 5-game tourney run at the end of the season I would have said you were insane. Just didn't see it. I would say, if I'm being honest, that I still think his chances of being a truly impactful guy in terms of being more than just a decent body to give you 15-20 mpg are not great. But the dude had 6+ rebounds in four of our last five games before the NCAA tourney and showed more signs of being a halfway decent catch and finish option (not that that would be more than 5 or 6 ppg, but still ...). Could he be a guy who plays 20-25 mpg and goes for 7 and 7 next year? Not sure but I think he did enough to potentially set up a much better senior year than most would have guessed even a few weeks ago. [B]Roberson could be the next senior to make the leap.[/B] Obviously the easiest type of prediction to make based on what he did this year. But I don't think it's far-fetched to see him put up a Rick Jackson type year next year. Maybe he makes enough of those jumpers to earn more rope from JB and bump the scoring average from ~9 to ~12 or 13. Could he average double-figures in rebounds? I don't see why not. That would be a beast of a player. [B]Sad to see it not work out (if that's the case) for Kaleb Joseph.[/B] If KJ transfers, it'll be too bad. Always hope it works out for these kids. If he sticks it out, good for him. Anyway, excited for next season. Should be interesting with Lydon back. Eager to see what Mali decides as well. [/QUOTE]

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