sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, observed in many Western Christian denominations. It takes place forty-six days before Easter, and may take place anytime between February 4 and March 10. Depending on denomination, it is observed with religious services, a ritual with ashes, and fasting.
In ancient times, ashes were used to express grief. The sprinkling of ashes on heads takes place in numerous places in the Bible. Christians continued the tradition as a sign of repentance. Christians in Western Europe were receiving ashes on the first day of Lent by the tenth century, although not yet in the Catholic Church. In 1091, the Catholic Church joined the ritual, after Pope Urban II ordered ashes should be given in Rome. The day soon came to be called Ash Wednesday. Some denominations stopped giving out ashes after the Reformation, sometime around 1600, but still observed Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent.
SU News
Missing Cards and the Quincy query: What to know about SU vs. Louisville (PS; $; Waters)
The days are getting longer, but time is getting short for Syracuse.
Syracuse (12-6 overall, 6-5 ACC) enters the final stretch run of the regular season still looking to firm up its chances of receiving an NCAA tournament bid.
The Orange has won two straight and five of its last seven games, but there are just five regular-season games remaining on the schedule and there is much work to be done.
Syracuse could give its NCAA resume and real boost with a win at Louisville on Wednesday. The Cardinals (11-4, 6-3) are coming off a two-week Covid pause.
Louisville is ranked No. 31 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, which means this will be a Quadrant 1 game for the Orange. Syracuse is 0-4 in Quad 1 games this season. This is the first of three Quad 1 games for SU in its final five games of the season.
Louisville’s last game was a 74-58 win over Georgia Tech on Feb. 1. The Cardinals’ Covid pause began two days later on the morning of their scheduled game at Syracuse.
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Opponent preview: What to know about Louisville (DO; Dabbundo)
Syracuse did enough to secure an eight-point win over Boston College on Saturday, pushing the Orange above .500 in conference play. SU will host Louisville on Wednesday night, offering a chance to add another Quadrant 2 win to their resume.
Louisville rolled the Orange by 24 last season, but most of its top players are not back this season.
Here’s what to know about Louisville (11-4, 6-3 Atlantic Coast) before the Cardinals visit Syracuse (12-6, 6-5) on Wednesday night:
All-time series
Louisville leads 19-10Last time they played
Syracuse traveled to Louisville on Feb. 19, 2020 and was blown out by the Cardinals 90-66. Louisville blitzed SU for 41 first-half points and 90 in total, which was the third-most points SU allowed all season. The Cardinals made 10-of-24 from 3 and exposed SU’s zone. Buddy Boeheim had 15 points, and Quincy Guerrier notched a double-double, but SU never led the game and trailed by as many as 29 in the second half.KenPom odds
KenPom gives Syracuse a 35% chance to beat the Cardinals on the road with a projected score of 72-68....
Beat writers unanimously predict Louisville over Syracuse in close game (DO; Staff)
Syracuse travels to Louisville on Wednesday night with another chance to pick up a Quadrant I win to impress the NCAA Tournament committee. The Cardinals haven’t played since Feb. 1 due to a COVID-19 pause, and the other scheduled meeting between the two teams on Feb. 3 was canceled due to that pause.
Here’s what our beat writers think will happen when the Orange (12-6, 6-5 Atlantic Coast) visit Louisville (11-4, 6-3) at the KFC Yum! Center:
Andrew Crane (12-6)
New hand, same cards
Louisville 76, Syracuse 72
Well, here we are again, talking about Syracuse and the Quadrant I win it desperately needs to solidify its postseason resume. There was Rutgers, then North Carolina, then Virginia, then Clemson. All four ended in losses. The Orange theoretically have a big advantage heading into Wednesday’s game, since Louisville hasn’t played Feb. 1 due to COVID-19 issues and will be down two players — although it’s unclear if those are starters or reserves.
But I’m pessimistic on SU’s ability to stop Louisville’s guard combo of Carlik Jones and David Johnson up top, and Kadary Richmond will need to be at his best to contain the duo. Look for Syracuse to falter in yet another Quadrant I opportunity, leaving its NCAA Tournament fate in the hands of a Greensboro run.
Anthony Dabbundo (14-4)
Not in the Cards
Louisville 71, Syracuse 66
The Cardinals are the better basketball team, they’re playing at home, and the Orange haven’t been consistent enough on the road this season. SU has just two road wins in seven tries, and its two wins are against floundering conference opponents. The Orange’s defense won’t be able to contain Jones from getting into the paint, and the Orange’s offense won’t consistently get quality looks against an improved Louisville defense.
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Syracuse basketball looking for crucial Quad 1 win at Louisville (10 things) (247sports.com; Shults)
After an underwhelming victory over Boston College on Saturday, Syracuse basketball’s NCAA Tournament aspirations revolve around its game against Louisville. Turning toward the home stretch of another up-and-down season, SU is in need of a big-time win. The Orange's NET Ranking is currently at 52, and has hovered between 46 and 55 since late January.
Syracuse (12-6, 6-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) is still looking for its first Quad 1 win of the season, after losing its first four opportunities at Rutgers, North Carolina, Virginia and Clemson. At the moment, SU only has one win over a team within the top 100 of the NET— a 78-60 victory over a Virginia Tech team struggling to hit shots. However, if Virginia Tech can rise into the top 30 of NET Rankings (currently 34), that would also give the Orange a Quad 1 win.
Besides that VT victory, the Orange’s only other Quad 2 win was against an NC State squad that had just lost its top scorer, Devon Daniels, to a torn ACL the game prior SU's matchup with the Cardinals begins the final stretch of the season where Jim Boeheim's bunch plays three Quad 1 teams, and two Quad 2 opponents in the final five games of the regular season.
The Cardinals are 11-4 this season with wins over Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. Louisville head coach Chris Mack’s squad is led by Carlik Jones, who was named to the Naismith Trophy midseason team — an award given to the best men’s college basketball player. So far this season, the graduate student is averaging 17.4 points per game for the Cards, fourth-best in the ACC.
A win over Louisville would be a huge boost for SU’s resume, and could give Syracuse momentum heading into a final run in which earning quality wins is paramount. Here are nine other things to watch on Wednesday when the Orange and Cardinals take the floor at the KFC Yum! Center at 6:30 pm:
WHICH JOE GIRARD SHOWS UP
Joe Girard played his best half of the season against Boston College on Saturday. In the opening 20 minutes, Girard poured on 16 points and was able to back down defenders into the paint. While he hit a couple of threes, Girard scored from all over the court. For just the fourth time this season, the majority of Girard’s shots were taken inside the arc.But in the second half, the sophomore point guard’s scoring was nonexistent. Girard didn’t score another point, and turned the ball over four times. For Syracuse to knock off Louisville, Girard needs to be a constant scoring threat all game long — not just one half of it.
SU'S ZONE ADJUSTMENT
Throughout the season, Syracuse has struggled with an often lackluster defense. And with Bourama Sidibe playing just 15 minutes on the year -- and his return in question -- Boeheim has adjusted the 2-3 zone. That starts with the guards at the top of the key changing their defense....
Points of Emphasis: Louisville vs. Syracuse (SI; McGavic)
After having not played since Feb 1. due to COVID protocols within the program, Louisville men's basketball is back in action. Next up for the Cardinals (11-4, 6-3 ACC), they will welcome Syracuse (10-5, 4-4 ACC) at the KFC Yum! Center. Tipoff is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. EST on the ACC Network.
Related: Two Players Out, Chris Mack Expected Back vs. Syracuse
Here are a couple of the more significant storylines to follow ahead of Cardinals' matchup with the Orange:
Cracks in the Armor?
Whenever you think of Syracuse, one of the first things that comes to mind is their 2-3 zone that head coach Jim Boeheim has ran seemingly since the dawn of time. While the Orange still employ that defense, it has not been as effective as it has been in years past.
Per KemPom, Syracuse is ranked just 86th in defensive efficiency - the tenth-best mark in the ACC. It's an improvement from last year's 116th ranking, but there's a clear overall decline. Three of Syracuse's worst defenses in the KenPom era (1997-Present) have come in the last five seasons.
Of course, that's not to say the Orange are abysmal on defense, because that's far from the case. They do surrender 70.4 points per game, but they also average 4.9 blocks and 9.2 steals per game, both of which are top 25 in the nation.
Longtime staples of the Syracuse 2-3 zone are also present. 44.7% of their opponents total field goal attempts have been three-pointers, and Orange opponents have assisted on 66.6% of their total made field goals.
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Fizz Cast: Louisville and Notre Dame Previews – Orange Fizz – Free Syracuse Recruiting News (orangefizz.net; podcast; Unsworth & Eads)
Listen as Ian Unsworth and John Eads preview a huge week in SU Hoops. The Orange go on the road Wednesday night to play Louisville. With a win SU can earn its first Quad 1 win and boost its tournament hopes ten-fold. Syracuse returns home for a Saturday matinee with Notre Dame. SU split with the Fighting Irish 1-1 last year and are 10-1 at home this season. Check out the latest fizz cast and any other fizz radio segments wherever you get your podcasts!
Locked On Syracuse - Daily Podcast On Syracuse Orange Football & Basketball: Syracuse's Path to the NCAA Tournament and Likelihood SU Makes the Field 2/11 on Apple Podcasts (apple.com; podcast; Leonard & Aki)
The guys evaluate Syracuse's path to getting into the NCAA Tournament. They also compare historical resumes and unveil the trends that work both in and against the Orange's favor. Are there enough chances left for big wins on Syracuse's schedule? Plus, what is the likelihood of all the dominos falling SU's way and landing them a spot in Indianapolis for this season?
Syracuse Basketball: A win at Louisville would be monumental for resume (itlh; Adler)
With five regular-season contests left in the 2020-21 campaign for Syracuse basketball, assuming no postponed games are made up, the Orange currently boasts a Big Dance resume that more likely than not has the ‘Cuse on the outside looking in for an at-large berth to March Madness.
Syracuse basketball (12-6, 6-5), which has captured two Atlantic Coast Conference conquests in a row and three of four overall, doesn’t by any means possess an awful resume. The Orange has a solid victory over nationally ranked Virginia Tech, and none of the ‘Cuse setbacks are terrible.
What’s hampering Syracuse basketball, frankly, is that it needs to amass several more marquee successes to bolster its 2021 NCAA Tournament chances. And that starts on Wednesday evening, when the team heads to the KFC Yum! Center for an ACC clash against Louisville.
The Cardinals (11-4, 6-3), presently in the top-tier of the league standings, could find themselves either really fresh or a tad rusty in this conference collision. That’s because Louisville, as a result of Covid-19 protocols, hasn’t suited up for a game dating back to Feb. 1.
As you may recall, the Orange was supposed to host the Cardinals in Central New York on Feb. 3, but that meeting got halted amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Syracuse basketball faces quite a tall task at Louisville on Wednesday night.
At this juncture, the ‘Cuse, with a NET ranking of No. 52 though affairs on Feb. 14, is lacking a pivotal quadrant-one triumph. Should the Orange defeat the Cardinals, a squad that places at No. 33 in the NET ratings, it would provide Syracuse basketball with an inaugural quadrant-one achievement.Such an outcome would also give the ‘Cuse a road win over one of the better groups in the ACC. It won’t prove easy, though. Louisville is 8-1 on its own turf, while Syracuse basketball is 2-5 away from the Hill.
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Louisville ready for return to action vs. Syracuse (cbssports.com; FLM)
Two weeks ago, Louisville ventured to New York to visit Syracuse only to turn back due to a positive COVID-19 test.
After three postponements, Louisville will resume its schedule Wednesday night when it hosts Syracuse.
The Cardinals (11-4, 6-3 ACC) have played the fewest ACC games out of the 15 teams due to five postponements. Earlier this season, they experienced postponements against North Carolina State and Georgia Tech and then saw their games postponed against Virginia and Pittsburgh after the postponement in Syracuse.
The Cardinals will be without two scholarship players due to the health and safety protocols. Coach Chris Mack will return to the sidelines after recovering from a bout with the virus and running practice Tuesday.
While Mack was recovering, the Cardinals practiced while being coached by assistant Dino Gaudio, who is optimistic about his team heading into its first game since a 74-58 home win over Georgia Tech on Feb. 1.
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Louisville basketball: One player that will break the Syracuse zone (BRL; Owens)
Louisville basketball meets once again for a unique challenge against an almost forgotten defense in college basketball
Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim has patented the 2-3 zone defense to become a trademark of Orange basketball for the past 45 years. As much as it works for him, he refuses to ever waver from it. It’s a defense predicated on team play to put three players spread across the front court and two players at each “elbow” on the floor.
One way that Louisville might be looking to defeat this type of defense is by running what is called the 1-3-1 setup that positions three players across the perimeter with one player planted at the free throw line and one player (realistically the center) in the paint.
The player at the free throw line is massively important in this type of offense as they sit in a gap in the zone.
Who is one player that can break the Syracuse zone?
The likely candidate is Samuell Williamson. Why? Well, that’s pretty simple.Williamson is Louisville’s best mid-range shooter. He’s a natural in this area of the court and he fits the criteria as the “4” on the court that would likely sit at the free throw line where he can either shoot an open jumper or dish to teammates on the perimeter or inside.
His decision making in this 1-3-1 setup will depend ultimately on who has to come to defend him. Whether it’s someone from the painted area or a perimeter defender, Williamson will have to make decisions based on how the defense runs to face him. That allows him to shoot, pass, or drive further to the hoop.
If the Cardinals are having trouble penetrating the zone, throwing Williamson at the free throw line makes a ton of sense here. He’s a key factor for the game on Wednesday.
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Tale of The Tape & Prediction: Louisville vs. Syracuse (SI; McGavic)
Louisville (11-4, 6-3 ACC) is set to face Syracuse (12-6, 6-5 ACC) on Wednesday, Feb. 17th at 6:30 p.m. EST at the KFC Yum! Center! in Louisville, Ky. Here's how the Cardinals stack up against the Orange:
- Rankings:
| Syracuse | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| AP/Coaches | NR/NR | RV/RV |
| NET | 52nd | 33rd |
| RPI | 66th | 23rd |
| SOS | 103rd | 41st |
| KenPom | 57th | 31st |
| Sagarin | 47th | 25th |
| Syracuse | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Alan Griffin (15.8) | Carlik Jones (17.4) |
| Rebounds | Quincy Guerrier (9.1) | Jae'Lyn Withers (7.6) |
| Assists | Joseph Girard III (3.6) | Carlik Jones (4.9) |
| Steals | Kadary Richmond (2.0) | Carlik Jones (1.4) |
| Blocks | Alan Griffin (1.6) | JJ Traynor (0.7) |
| Syracuse | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 76.6 | 69.5 |
| Field Goal % | 44.2% | 45.2% |
| FGM/FGA Per Game | 27.1/61.2 | 25.0/55.3 |
| Three Point % | 32.5% | 31.9% |
| 3PTM/3PTA Per Game | 7.7/23.6 | 5.5/17.3 |
| Free Throw % | 79.0% | 72.3% |
| FTM/FTA Per Game | 14.8/18.8 | 13.9/19.3 |
| Syracuse | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| Rebounds Per Game | 36.3 | 38.3 |
| Off. Reb. Per Game | 10.4 | 10.3 |
| Def. Reb. Per Game | 25.8 | 28.1 |
| Rebound Margin | -1.5 | +6.1 |
| Syracuse | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| Opp. Points Per Game | 70.4 | 64.2 |
| Opp. FG% | 40.9% | 40.1% |
| Opp. 3PT% | 30.8% | 30.9% |
| Steals Per Game | 9.2 | 4.9 |
| Turnovers Forced Per Game | 15.3 | 11.7 |
| Blocks Per Game | 4.9 | 2.1 |
| Syracuse | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| Assists Per Game | 15.6 | 11.5 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 11.6 | 12.0 |
| Turnover Margin | 3.7 | -0.3 |
| Assist/Turnover Margin | 1.3 | 1.0 |
- KenPom Prediction: Per KenPom.com, the Cardinals have a 65% chance to take down the Orange, with a projected final score of 72-68 in favor of Louisville. Louisville's Adjusted Efficiency Margin currently ranks 31st, with Syracuse's at 57th.
- Personal Prediction: Louisville 72, Syracuse 69.
Other
CNY Fish Fry Tour: 20 stops you must make to get the best meal during Lent (PS; $; Miller)
Fish isn’t just for Lent anymore, especially not in Central New York.
Many of us will put a lot of thought into where we’ll grab our fish dinner over the next seven Fridays, but then there are those of us who will take advantage of just how good our fish fries are and catch some golden haddock throughout the week all year long.
Over the past few years, I asked syracuse.com readers for their go-to places for fish during Lent. I went to most of them. I ate their full dinners, and I tried their lunch-sized sandwiches. I sampled the soups, the side dishes, the desserts and the drinks that came along with it. I went to fancy restaurants, comfortable pubs, crowded legion halls and plenty of takeout-only fish counters. It just proved how good Central New York makes fish.
This is my take on Lent based on a few years of exhaustive research. Consider this a guide to get you started on your fried fish feasts over the next 40 days and 40 nights. They’re listed in no particular order. You can click on the venue’s name to get a more detailed review.
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