sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Christmas Tree Day!
The Christmas tree, a prominent decoration for those who celebrate Christmas, is the focus of today's holiday. The day is often celebrated by acquiring, putting up, and decorating a Christmas tree. Although the choice to put National Christmas Tree Day on December 8 was made by the day's creator, Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, the date does have some other connections to the Christmas tree. Today also happens to be Immaculate Conception Day, a Catholic holiday on which celebrants in some countries put up Christmas trees. December 8 is also around the time of the year that the lighting of the National Christmas Tree takes place. In the past, some tree farmers have also held a National Christmas Tree Day on the date as well.
The roots of the Christmas tree tradition go back to ancient pagan holidays. Pagans decorated their homes with evergreen branches during the Winter Solstice, to remind them that spring wasn't too far away. Some pagans worshipped trees as well. In ancient Rome, temples were decorated with evergreens during Saturnalia, a December holiday. Eventually, Christians began associating Christ's birth with the winter holidays and adopted the evergreen tree, which they saw as a symbol of eternal life.
SU News
Rutgers Will Provide Biggest Test for Syracuse to Date (SI; McAllister)
The Orange will face 21st ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knight in prime time Tuesday night.
Syracuse basketball is 3-0 on the season, but just how good are they really? We will find out a lot more about the Orange when they face No. 21 Rutgers in their first road game of the season Tuesday night. Rutgers is also 3-0 and facing its first major conference opponent as well.
Entering the 2019-20 season, Rutgers had 13 consecutive losing seasons. No one expected them to snap that streak, but that is exactly what they did as they became one of the better stories in college basketball. Poised to make its first NCAA Tournament in quite some time, postseason college basketball was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This season, expectations are sky high. Rutgers started the season ranked in the preseason poll for the first time since 1978. There is a reason why expectations are so high. The Scarlet Knights are really good.
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Other
New drive-thru holiday display of ice sculptures coming to NYS Fair (PS; $; Herbert)
A new drive-thru holiday display is coming to the New York State Fair just after Christmas.
The first-ever “Ice Sculpting Masters” will run Wednesday, Dec. 30 through Sunday, Jan. 3 from 4:30-10:30 p.m. at the NYS Fairgrounds. The event features more than 150,000 pounds of ice being turned into more than 90 ice sculptures, carved by top artists from around the country.
Admission will be $20 per vehicle, plus taxes and fees. Tickets are sold in advance online at Ice Sculpting Masters - Drive Thru Holiday Display.
The event is being presented by Stan Kolonko of East Syracuse’s The Ice Farm, a frequent exhibitor at the Great New York State Fair and other events. Sixteen large ice sculptures and approximately 75 single-block carvings will be displayed along the streets of the Fairgrounds’ Empire RV Park as holiday music plays; the path will end with two giant ice carvings as attendees exit through an inflatable igloo.
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Orange Watch: New flavor of ‘orange’ for Syracuse basketball - The Juice Online (the juice; Bierman)
Item: With annual attrition for every college basketball program whether that’s one and done talent, transfers, and of course the lifeblood of recruiting, it creates a dose of excitement at the start of each new season to see how the parts of the puzzle fit together. Following Syracuse’s first 3-0 start since 2017, and heading into Tuesday night’s game at Rutgers in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge series (9:30 p.m. ET/ESPN2) minus two starters, it’s been fascinating to watch how the new players on the ‘Cuse roster will contribute to the team’s success in an unusual season full unknown.
It’s been fun so far watching the newcomers in the early portion of the schedule, providing a glimpse of the different on court looks Jim Boeheim will have at his disposal, especially in a year in which players may miss time due to pandemic-related issues or injury.
Here’s how the always candid Boeheim has summed up the top five newcomers in his various lineups from postgame comments made following the first three games (edited for clarity):
Alan Griffin: “Alan’s still trying to figure (things) out. When he caught the ball at Illinois (last two seasons) they just told him to shoot it. So, he’s catching (the ball) and trying to shoot. He’s a good shooter, (but) he’s got to learn (if he) has a shot. (If) he doesn’t, make a pass, make a play. It’s a work in progress, it’s going to take time. He put the ball on the floor a couple of times (vs. Niagara) and got the basket. That’s all good. He’s learning the zone, it’s tough when you’re playing forward and guard.”
Kadary Richmond: “I think if you ask him, he’d (admit) he’s not in shape. He’s never had to work this hard. He’s told a lot of people ‘I’ve never had to work this hard in my life.’ He’s still not ready (conditioning-wise). He still gets tired pretty quickly, but he’s got tremendous skills, he’s got the tools, (he) just has to get in better shape.
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Syracuse Basketball’s Future is in Good Hands – Orange Fizz – Free Syracuse Recruiting News (orangefizz.net; Shults)
Through three games of the season, Syracuse is still relying on Joe Girard, Marek Dolezaj and Buddy Boeheim (in the one game he’s played). The Orange have also received a boost from the play of transfer Alan Griffin.
But the freshmen — while they aren’t the centerpiece — portray a bright future for Orange fans. Kadary Richmond is clearly the best player of the first-years, and has fluidly stepped in as a replacement to Boeheim. It will be interesting how he plays against SU’s toughest match of the season so far in No. 24 Rutgers on Tuesday. The Scarlet Knights were one of the best defensive teams in the country last year.
But Richmond has already shown that he is the best defender that head coach Jim Boeheim has at the top of the 2-3 zone. His 6-foot-5 frame, combined with his athleticism leads to flurries of steals and SU fast breaks. For a team that wants to play fast, Richmond is a much needed playmaker.
He also gels well with Girard, since Richmond likes to drive to the basket for his points. While Girard will likely never be a good scorer inside the arc, he seemed to have refound his touch from outside against Rider.
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Rutgers basketball: Syracuse return a long-awaited chance for payback (app.com; Carino)
Arguably the saddest Rutgers basketball scene of this century unfolded Jan. 10, 2009. Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn blew past his defender and threw down a rim-rattling, one-handed dunk over former McDonald's All-American Mike Rosario.
Then Flynn flexed for a frenzied, orange-clad crowd mobbing the baseline bleachers — at the RAC.
Yes, Syracuse fans took over the RAC’s student section, watched their team win by 16 and rubbed it in good.
Tuesday night, for the first time since 2012, the Orange return to Piscataway. Rutgers hasn’t beaten Syracuse in nearly 18 years, losing 13 straight from 2003-2013 before the programs parted ways as the Big East splintered.
But things are different now. There will be no fans at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup (9:30 p.m., ESPN2) and 21st-ranked Rutgers (3-0) is the favorite.
MORE:Jersey Jump Shot podcast, episode 3
MORE: Jerry Carino's AP Top 25 ballot
Scheduling questions
This is, quite possibly, the only high-profile opponent the Scarlet Knights will face out of conference this season. Pandemic concerns nixed a meeting with second-ranked Baylor and the Gavitt Tipoff Games matchup against a Big East foe. The annual Seton Hall extravaganza is highly unlikely to take place this season. Rutgers turned down offers for games last week, opting to pull in the oars after standout guard Geo Baker suffered a sprained ankle.
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Q&A with Nunes Magician on Syracuse Basketball (onthebanks.com; Breitman)
No. 21 Rutgers (3-0) hosts Syracuse (3-0) on Tuesday night at the RAC at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The matchup between former Big East foes is part of the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Scarlet Knights have lost 13 straight to the Orange with the last meeting coming in 2013.
In an effort to find out more about tonight’s opponent, I was fortunate to speak with Kevin Wall of Syracuse’s SB Nation site, Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician. The Orange will be down two key players and Kevin discusses how they will be replaced, as well as much more on the current state of this team.
AB: Syracuse was shutdown for part of November due to COVID-19 issues and had another player test positive just a few days ago, which kept three players total out of the game. How has the virus impacted the program from a operational standpoint in getting ready for this season and is there a concern the Rutgers game might not happen due to the new positive test?
KW: After Thursday’s game Jim Boeheim said the team had missed 17 of the last 20 practice days and while there isn’t concern about playing the Rutgers game, the Orange are likely to be missing Buddy Boeheim who was the returning leading scorer to this year’s squad. His loss means that freshman Kadary Richmond slides into the starting line-up and Syracuse doesn’t have a true guard on the bench.
AB: What were expectations for this team heading into the season and how concerned are you about their ability to develop as a team due to the early disruptions due to COVID-19?
KW: Expectations have varied among the fans. Even though Syracuse brought back four starters, the one they lost in Elijah Hughes was the biggest part of last year’s offense. The hope was that the addition of transfer Alan Griffin would help replace some of Hughes’ outside shooting and scoring and that experience would lead to an improved defense. The disruptions are a bigger concern with the defense as Bryant got plenty of good looks in the opener and the zone is better when the five-man unit is working in unison.
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https://rutgers./news/scouting-syracuse-basketball-orange-s-roster-rankings-stat-comparison (rutgers.; Schnyderite)
After a 3-0 start to the season last week, the Rutgers men's basketball is set to welcome former Big East foe, the Syracuse Orange to town for their first meeting since 2013.
Below is a look at the Orange's projected starting lineup and where they're ranked in key metrics and statistics.
RANKINGS COMPARISON - RUTGERS | SYRACUSE
ESPN BPI: No. 42 | No. 9
KENPOM: No. 31 | No. 38
SAGARIN: No. 37 | No. 35
2019-20 NET: No. 30 | No. 61
PROJECTED SYRACUSE STARTING LINEUP
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES
| Joseph Girard | 6-1/195 | So. | Averaged 12.4ppg and shot 35% from the field last season to finish third in scoring. |
| Kadary Richmod | 6-5/180 | Fr. | The former No. 85 overall prospect in the class of 2020, Richmond recently had 16pts, 7rebs, 6asts, 3blks and 4stls versus Niagara. |
| Alan Griffin | 6-5/190 | Jr. | The former Illinois product scored 14pts and 6rebs versus Rutgers last season. |
| Quincy Guerrier | 6-7/220 | So. | Dropped 15 points and 12 rebounds versus Bryant in the season opener. |
| Marek Dolezaj | 6-10/201 | Sr. | Finished last game with 20pts, 6 rebs, 9asts and 5stls. |
Rutgers - Syracuse Stat Comparison (2020 stats)
STATRUTGERS (3 GAMES)SYRACUSE (3 GAMES)
| Points/game | 84.0 (53rd) | 82.3 (62nd) |
| Field Goal % | 54.3% (12th) | 45.7% (120th) |
| 3PT % | 29.3% (217th) | 34.1% (120th) |
| Rebound Margin | +11.4 (T-28th) | +11.0 (31st) |
| Assist/Turnover Ratio | 1.49 (40th) | 1.32 (68th) |
| Steals/game | 10.0 (T-24th) | 10.0 (T-24th) |
| Blocks/game | 6.7 (12th) | 5.0 (40th) |
| Opp. points/game | 64.7 (92nd) | 60.3 (40th) |
| Opp. FG% | 36.9% (47th) | 34.0% (20th) |
| Opp. 3PT% | 31.1% (146th) | 26.0% (35th) |
SYRACUSE RECORD LAST SEASON: 18-14 (10-10) / Notable wins against Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and No. 18 Virginia.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 39th matchup between the two schools, with Syracuse leading the series 30-8. The most recent Rutgers victory came back in 2002 when the Scarlet Knights defeated the No. 24 ranked Orange by a final score of 68-65 inside the RAC.
Syracuse Basketball: 4-star Donovan Clingan tough-to-read recruitment (itlh; Adler)
Syracuse basketball is among a boatload of high-majors pursuing 2022 four-star center Donovan Clingan.
Many Syracuse basketball fans are hoping that 2022 four-star center Donovan Clingan chooses the Orange over a collection of other really impressive scholarship offers. But there doesn’t appear to be a favorite or even small group of favorites to land the talented 7-foot-1 big man.
One thing that Clingan has made clear. Just because he goes to high school in Connecticut doesn’t at all mean that it’s a foregone conclusion he will select former Big East Conference rival UConn.
Clingan, for example, told recruiting guru Jake Weingarten, the founder of Stockrisers.com, in a recent interview, “A lot of people think I’m going to UConn and many think I’ve already made my choice in going there, I haven’t made my choice. Just because they’re in Connecticut doesn’t mean I like them more, I like them just as much as every other school.”
Considering that, in recent years, the Huskies have snagged several prospects whom the ‘Cuse had also offered, it’s encouraging to hear that Clingan heading to UConn isn’t a given.
In a recent column that we penned on the top-60 Clingan, we noted that his offer list is approaching 20 teams. Yet in his Q&A with Weingarten, “Clingan says UConn, UMass, Michigan State, Georgetown, Providence, Iowa, Syracuse, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Boston College, Yale, Maryland, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Iona, Louisville, UCF, Northwestern, Columbia, Georgia, Ohio State, Holy Cross, Clemson, and Wake Forest are amongst those recruiting him.”
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