Daemen Postgame Thoughts.

[NorSyr66]

Premature assessments, but:

• Need more/better communications on D. Shots We’re going up and our defenders were unaware.
• Id like to see earlier boxing out/rebounding preparation from both McLeod and Benny. They’re trying to rebound off of reactions, not technique. Benny gets beaten for boards, and McLeod just doesn’t even get near them unless he’s already near them.
• Copeland is dynamic as heck but he’d be much more effective with like 15% less flash.
• Cuffe is going to be very valuable. Love his game.
• JJ has handles, quicks, and speed. Wow. If he demonstrates a three and can also pull up mid-range, he’s unstoppable. I need to see both him and Judah in the same game, but I’m wondering which would be drafted first.
• Carey and McLeod—would rather not see them pressing defenders aggressively 25’ out. If their man is showing a 3-point shot, they’re not the right guys on the floor. Either way, they’re just going to pick up cheap fouls.
• Disappointed not to see Patterson. Is he nursing an injury, too?
• Exciting to see this new style of play, and I get that it’s exhibition 01, but I hope we become a team that runs intelligently. There was no scheme out there. McLeod had size mismatches all day but we didn’t even think about exploiting that except for a few incidental touches. I expect Judah and JJ will be the two guys who are the go-tos, then Benny, but I think we have been best historically when we have had a post player who was a dependable clutch/go-to option. Not sure we have that with Benny. Yet. He looked good with his lane turnaround/fades, but he’s going to be a finesse player and I worry about physical and talented teams. We may have enough talent on the perimeter to still be really good, but in crunch time against good/better teams, I worry about relying on outside/finesse stuff.
• I am really glad we still have Taylor. I thought he might transfer. He’s solid now and I can see potential for him being something special.
• Can’t wait until we are at full strength with Westry. It will be interesting to see how the minutes shake down, with so many players at the same ‘position.’

Good post. I would like to double down on where was Patterson? Love what I saw from Cuffe. Q will be Q....love him and hate him but he sure will make things happen. I can not wait to see what Westry will bring to the table. Tons of appreciation to JT!!

 

[MikeSU02]

Didn’t see the game.

Can someone tell me how the guy that had less than a 10 PER and didn’t board or pass last year did?

Heard I was a jerk for talking about this.

I’ll hang up and listen now.

 

[NorSyr66]

Things to watch for as the competition gets better:

• Can JJ and Judah both hit around 35% from three?
• Can Cuffe be that third guard (too many TOs and no assists tonight but everything else about his game was very good)
• Can JT be that guy we saw tonight two games out of every three? We saw one terrific game out of him last year, and then "never again". This year, he seems more comfortable out there, and he has a very nice pronounced arc on his shot.
• Maliq, holy cow, don't get hurt. He and Copeland will be key parts of the rotation this year.

Good post!! I would lower the goals for JT from two out of three games to at least two out of four. He is only a soph. When he is on, he is deadly! He is the magic we need to break games open. Nothing like a couple of threes to change the flow of the game. He can definitely be the X factor for this team!

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Good post. I would like to double down on where was Patterson? Love what I saw from Cuffe. Q will be Q...love him and hate him but he sure will make things happen. I can not wait to see what Westry will bring to the table. Tons of appreciation to JT!!

Patterson is a freshman. Other players ahead of him.

His time will come this season.

 

[pearl31]

hope Maliq is ok

 

[OrangeinDC]

Yes. Had his moments. Looked like a talented and athletic guy who hasn’t played a real game in awhile. Definitely belongs and could be a player. Hard to see a real big role this year with Judah and JJ, but I bet he’ll have some games where he contributes.

The Cope and Cuff tandem is tough

 

[OrangeinDC]

I hope somebody asks him about JJ's 40 in the presser. I'm not mad about it or anything, just genuinely curious.

My guess is conditioning and/or as many live point guard reps as possible. Maybe just pressing to get whatever swagger he lost at Notre Dame all the way back. He is going to be such a problem once he's settled in.

 

[OrangeinDC]

Back when Harrison Barnes was touted as like an all world future superstar, my friend used to downplay him and call him “stiff hips”.

Which I thought was a hilarious knock at first but once you watched him, low and behold - he’s got those stiff hips.

Benny might have the stiff hips? He gets roasted off the dribble.

He has this slumbering gait, runs a little goofy. He also plays flat footed, so his first defensive reaction is to get up vice a lateral slide. Poor reaction reflexes.

 

[OrangeinDC]

JJ has pure speed and an elite handle. Judah is elite at changing speeds. I think they’re both great. The only thing I’m concerned about is teams sagging off and making them make shots. Would have liked to see JJ knock down a few jumpers tonight.

Normally I would agree, but we have the right players. If you sag on either of them their coming right at you and both can get their shot off or to the rim whenever they want. I think you can say the same about Cuff, Cope and Chance. This team is built solid. Now they have to put in the work.

 

[jdubs30]

The Cope and Cuff tandem is tough

The backcourt is going to be menacing. The question is how good will everyone else be

 

[OrangeinDC]

The backcourt is going to be menacing. The question is how good will everyone else be

They both have some dog in em.

 

[IthacaMatt]

The backcourt is going to be menacing. The question is how good will everyone else be

I'm feeling like we've got 9 guys who can play, for sure. And a couple more who could grow into contributors by mid-season, like Hima and Westry, once they get healthy.

 

[oTTo113445]

I felt Benny and JT were a bit effortless offensively in the first half. Benny is running the floor more comfortably than he did his first 2 years. If Copeland finds a consistent 8-foot jumper next to Judah and JJ, we might not need a 3 late in the clock from our guards all year. Can't wait to see Benny High low passing, and Mcleud giving him the foul line screen. Bodying up some on Defense will help Benny and Bell, give it time.

 

[FireballPhil]

It was delightful to be at that game! Seems like old times . .

I was amazed by JJ’s speed and some of his moves were jaw dropping. Alas, he didn’t always make a basket after them but sometimes he did. Awesome awesome! I loved Cuffe. Made some 3’s, and really seemed to know what he was doing out there. I thought Benny became the Benny we were waiting for. He really fought for the ball. Actually, they all fought for the ball, and there were a fair number of swats and altered shots. After some of our swats I thought they were going to call goal tending. But what do I know?

Taylor was much improved. Seemed to have more confidence. Felt sorry for Bell. Was not good at all. Was glad Red didn’t give up on him. He finally got a 3 but that’s all he scored. Copeland is a riot. I felt like he messed up as much as he did great things but all in all he was a plus. There were some fantastic missed dunks but Copeland had a great one he actually made.

Second half slow and somewhat tedious. We were outplayed by Daemon, I felt. They didn’t seem like that bad of a team and they made their 3’s. They hung in there and never gave up. Had to respect that.

With Brown and Judah healthy, and if everyone can learn their roles and play well together, well, gosh darn it, I think we’ll be a good team!

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. I think the ones that showed the most tonight:

1. JJ- I hadn't really seen much of him but he is as advertised and then some. Love his speed, I don't see to many people stopping him.

2. Copeland- So much better than last year. Sure it is only one game but he is going to be our Josh Pace this year.

3. Taylor- This was the guy we saw the occasional flash of last year. Was also active more on defense than he was last year.He might just win the award for most improved if he continues on this trend.

4. Carey- Sure he fouled out quickly but it was great to see him out there.He has that passion and energy that you love to see and I think he is going to develop into something special. Just something about him.

Bell is the one I worry about most right now. He just appeared out of sync. Just one game, but it wasn't a good one for him.

One other guy, Cuffe-thought he did well for the most part, a solid first game in my opinion. My biggest worry with him is his shot seemed awfully flat. I am concerned as we face better defenders he might get a few swatted back at him.

Was it my TV or did Eric and Ian look like cardboard cutouts when they were shown on TV?

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Two plays really stood out that JJ made. McLeod made a nice defensive stop and JJ got the ball and then rewarded him with a nice pass for an easy basket on the offensive end. And then the same thing with Cuffe. He made a nice block, JJ gets the ball and looked specifically for him for an open three. Two heads up plays by JJ to reward his guys for great defense.

 

[NorSyr66]

Patterson is a freshman. Other players ahead of him.

His time will come this season.

Agree but it is an exhibition team and you have used 3 centers, fourth is injured and you are playing PF at center. Why not let the freshman get a bit of floor time?

 

[NorSyr66]

It was delightful to be at that game! Seems like old times . .

I was amazed by JJ’s speed and some of his moves were jaw dropping. Alas, he didn’t always make a basket after them but sometimes he did. Awesome awesome! I loved Cuffe. Made some 3’s, and really seemed to know what he was doing out there. I thought Benny became the Benny we were waiting for. He really fought for the ball. Actually, they all fought for the ball, and there were a fair number of swats and altered shots. After some of our swats I thought they were going to call goal tending. But what do I know?

Taylor was much improved. Seemed to have more confidence. Felt sorry for Bell. Was not good at all. Was glad Red didn’t give up on him. He finally got a 3 but that’s all he scored. Copeland is a riot. I felt like he messed up as much as he did great things but all in all he was a plus. There were some fantastic missed dunks but Copeland had a great one he actually made.

Second half slow and somewhat tedious. We were outplayed by Daemon, I felt. They didn’t seem like that bad of a team and they made their 3’s. They hung in there and never gave up. Had to respect that.

With Brown and Judah healthy, and if everyone can learn their roles and play well together, well, gosh darn it, I think we’ll be a good team!

Only wished I lived closer to enjoy some of these games. Living here in NC has not been a blessing recently when SU comes south. Nothing worse than going to a Duke, UNC, NC St, Wake Forest or VT game and hearing the opponents get the last cheer!! Great comments. Only seen the 2nd half and it was not that great. Did like Copeland and agree with your comments...he is good and he is bad!! But he is making things happen. Agree this should be a good year. LGO

 

[Bulldog04]

What’s really going to be fun is you could tell the lockdown lineup when they were in. Cuffe got a few steals. Cope got some steals. And then there’s the offensive unit with JT that got hot. But this team is going to be fun and will find different ways to win

 

[Orangefan1]

I worry about the injuries so early in the season but this team could be special

 

[kcsu]

he had 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 12 points. Good enough?

I watched some of his HS games and commented that he had the most upside of any kid coming in that year . His natural gifts are off the chart. Same with Cuffe.

 

[jordville]

Quadir's energy and personality is infectious. He brought it on both ends. Cope is going to be a fun one (& key player) like many of us have been saying...

 

[23Zone]

I am not so much worried about bells shooting. That can happen. My main concern is that his defense is absolutely atrocious. Easily one of the worst defensive players I have ever seen in a Syracuse uniform from the forward position. I forsee a lot of three or even four guard offense and a big

 

[Newhouser]

Back when Harrison Barnes was touted as like an all world future superstar, my friend used to downplay him and call him “stiff hips”.

Which I thought was a hilarious knock at first but once you watched him, low and behold - he’s got those stiff hips.

Benny might have the stiff hips? He gets roasted off the dribble.

Benny looks the same to me. He's a spot up jump shooter. He still looks like a guy with no instincts on how to play.

 

[NKR1978]

Cuffe and Copeland impressive

Cuffe is going to be a star. He seems to have all the tools.

 

[Orangezoo]

Cuffe is going to be a star. He seems to have all the tools.

It's been said before but there is so much Kyle Lowry in his game all the way to being a stronger kid.