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Message: [QUOTE="JeremyCuse, post: 3829284, member: 43"] UNC will be a very good barometer as to where we are at the X. UNC's FOGO combo isn't bad but they struggled mightily against Duke and UVA, especially in the 4th quarter. If SU struggles again at the X on Sat, were in disastrous trouble. I think Desko's plan was to ride with Phaup but once he got a violation and lost a few he went to Varello who I thought did fairly well. Going to Savage late in the 2nd and in the second half seemed pre-determined and a good idea to get him some draws. The biggest issue I see is that I don't think the program has a solution yet if Phaup starts to falter again. Varello seems like the #2 guy but he's had his own struggles and out of the three is the slowest and struggles the most after gaining possession. Savage has looked pretty good in limited time but he's still a true frosh who has only played in 2 games. Complicating matters more is that SU has to get itself into the Tourney before they can worry about losing draws in the 1st round. If they don't win one of the next three games they are likely out. I was encouraged that Phaup went back home on his own to clear his head and get some work in with his faceoff coach who is still an active guy professionally. to me it seems clear from that DO article that the new rules have screwed him up especially in terms of when he starts losing draws and is relying on memory and techniques hes honed over the years that are no longer possible ot use. If SU had a few lesser opponents left I think that would have helped get Savage more up to speed an into a real power share with Phaup. At this point though we are likely to live and die with Phaup, though Desko does have options behind him and seems quicker to pull the trigger then in the past. Saturday will tell me a lot. [/QUOTE]

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