sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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The First Day of Winter, also known as the Winter Solstice, takes place when either of the Earth's poles reach their maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice a year, once in each hemisphere. The First Day of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is on the December solstice, with the season running until the March equinox, while the First Day of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere is on the June solstice, with the season running until the September equinox.
The First Day of Winter is the day with the shortest amount of daylight of the year in its hemisphere. The areas closest to the poles experience the shortest days, with the poles themselves experiencing continuous darkness or twilight at this time. In many areas, winter is associated with snow, blizzards, and freezing temperatures. The accumulation of snow and ice is more pronounced in the Northern Hemisphere, where there is more landmass. Winters in the Southern Hemisphere are milder because there is less landmass and more of a maritime climate. As spring approaches, the days get longer. Even though days increase in length, temperatures in most places continue to fall as winter lengthens, which is known as seasonal lag. This is because it takes time for the Earth to warm up.
SU News
At least 4 Syracuse players tested positive for COVID-19, prompting stoppage (DO; Fernandez)
At least four of Syracuse’s five starters tested positive for COVID-19 last week, Buddy Boeheim said on a radio show on Monday morning. As a result, the SU basketball program postponed two games that were scheduled against Lehigh on Saturday and against Cornell on Tuesday.
Buddy told TK99’s Gomez and Company that his brother Jimmy Boeheim and Cole Swider first tested positive last week. Then as practice continued throughout the week, more players contracted COVID, he said. Buddy said he and Joe Girard III tested positive on Thursday.
“Guys started to test positive more and more throughout the week, and we had 12-13 (available) guys, and said, ‘Alright, we’re gonna keep going and if more people end up positive, we’re going to have to cancel the game,’” Buddy said on ESPN Syracuse.
In an interview set to air later on Monday afternoon, Buddy told Brent Axe that his symptoms are much milder than they were last year when he contracted COVID during the Orange’s program pause in late December and early January. “Just tired,” he said. “A headache here and there, but nothing crazy. No loss of taste or smell, which was my biggest concern. So I’m feeling good so far.”
Buddy and Girard previously tested positive for COVID-19 last season as part of one of the Orange’s program pauses. Girard said he felt very tired while he was sick, and head coach Jim Boeheim said both Buddy and Girard didn’t instantly return to 100% afterward.
“They were sick and they were out. Everybody knows this happens and knows they were. Then they expect them to come back like nothing ever happened. It just doesn’t work that way,” Boeheim said later in January.
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Covid Pause Continues For Syracuse Men’s Basketball (localsyr.com; Sims)
On Friday, the Syracuse men’s basketball team cancelled its final two non-conference games.
Syracuse University released a statement saying the move was made due to COVID protocols.
Buddy Boeheim made his weekly appearance on Gomez And Company Monday to confirm that the Orange is dealing with multiple COVID cases.
The issue started right after the Georgetown game. A couple of the players were forced to isolate and by the end of the week, four of the team’s five starters were out of commission.
“We were practicing with Jimmy and Cole out and then more guys started to test positive throughout the week and we had to cancel both games,” said Boeheim.
Buddy also said that the symptoms are much more mild than last year. He mentioned that the team is planning to resume practice this Thursday on the 23rd.
The next scheduled game is December 29th against Georgia Tech.
Locked On Syracuse - Daily Podcast On Syracuse Orange Football & Basketball: Buddy Boeheim Hints Syracuse Could Add A Game, Lessons From Last Year's Pause and Football Eyeing an Offensive Coordinator 12/20 on Apple Podcasts apple.com; podcast; Locked on Syracuse)
Syracuse had two games canceled the other day due to a COVID outbreak. Buddy Boeheim hinted on a recent radio show appearance that the Orange could add another game soon. Plus, what are the lessons SU should take away from last year's COVID pause to make sure they don't get off to a slow start out of the layoff? Also, Syracuse is rumored to be interested in former Virginia offensive coordinator and current QB coach Robert Anae and Jason Beck to fill the same roles. Are these the best possible hires for the Orange given the state of the program?
Tim Leonard and Tyler Aki discuss it all and more on the Tuesday edition of the Locked on Syracuse Podcast.
Buddy Boeheim "On The Block" 12-20 (ESPN; radio; Axe)
Syracuse men’s basketball’s Buddy Boeheim joins the show to share how the team is dealing with COVID-19 and more.
On The Block On Demand 12-20 (ESPN; radio; Axe)
Brent starts the show explaining how COVID-19 has been impacting Syracuse men’s basketball, the NFL and the rest of the sports (and non-sports) world. Later, he gives his thoughts on Syracuse reportedly looking at two Virginia coaches to fill the openings at offensive coordinator and QB coach.
He's just different...
Syracuse Basketball Can Say Bye Bye To 5-Star Prospect G.G. Jackson – Orange Fizz – Daily Syracuse Recruiting News & Team Coverage (orangefizz.net; May)
Syracuse Men’s Basketball’s COVID pause is a good time to check in on the recruiting front. The Orange currently have a depth problem that is rearing its ugly head this season, but that should be solved with the deep and talented class of 2022 that is coming in next year. However, what does the following year look like?
Syracuse is primarily targeting the backcourt, which makes sense given the inevitable departures of Joe Girard and Buddy Boeheim. The Orange have a couple offers out to top-50 frontcourt players, like Matas Buzelis and Isaiah Miranda, but recent reports don’t look too favorable for them coming to the 315.
Instead, Jim Boeheim and company are relying on finding a diamond in the rough with Joseph Estrella and trying to lock down an uber talented Gavin Griffiths. The door is still open for both of those players, but not so much with G.G. Jackson.
Jackson is the No. 21 overall recruit in the class of 2023 according to ESPN, and No. 10 overall per 247Sports Composite. He’s a 6-foot-8, 210 lbs. forward/center combo. I know what you’re thinking — a tall dude with some actual strength that could hold down the middle of the zone. As much as that is probably true, it doesn’t seem like Jackson is too keen on the Orange.
Syracuse offered Jackson a scholarship way back in August of 2020. The South Carolina-native had just finished his freshman year of high school at that point. Everyone knew it was going to be a difficult sell to get Jackson to come to ‘Cuse. He is a big recruit that pretty much every Power 5 school has their eyes on, including North Carolina, Duke, Florida State, Virginia, LSU, South Carolina and more. All of those schools have already offered Jackson a scholarship, by the way.
Syracuse’s recruiting of Jackson seemed fine for a while. The Orange were always in the mix, up until about a week ago when the now-junior spoke to Jamie Shaw of Rivals about his recruiting.
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https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article256750147.html (newsobserver.com; pocast; Staff)
N&O sports columnist Luke DeCock and N.C. State beat writer Jonas Pope IV discuss the NCAA’s ruling against N.C. State, with the Wolfpack avoiding a postseason ban and finally out from under the threat of severe sanctions, as well as the state of the basketball program and N.C. State football ahead of the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
Elon guard Jerald Gillens-Butler (13) guards against Duke forward Wendell Moore Jr. (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
https://accsports.com/acc-analytics...alondes-williams-push-their-teams-to-the-top/ (accsports.com; Geisinger)
This week’s ACC Power Rankings here. Let’s jump right in.
1. Duke
The Blue Devils are clearly the top team in the ACC. That gap — between Duke and rest of the league — continues to widen. However, Coach K’s squad will have a tough test this week in Cameron with visiting Virginia Tech.Wendell Moore Jr. is Duke’s leader and one of the best players in the country; he’s been superb all season, following a massive advancement as a playmaker.
Moore has six dunks on the season (11 games), which is as many as he had his first two seasons combined (49 games).
Last week, I wrote about Moore’s craft when it comes to fake dribble-handoff moves, which he uses to turn the corner for baseline drives. This is one of the many reasons that Moore’s having a career year in terms of rim finishing: 77.6 FG% rim, with 74 percent of his rim field goals unassisted. Overall, he’s shooting 68.8 percent on two-point attempts.
With these lifted empty-side looks, Moore is racing by his defender to the rim. If you give WMJ a sliver of daylight, he’s taking full advantage and getting downhill.
2. Tie: Virginia Tech and Wake Forest
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech dropped some tough games early on this season when the Hokies faced tough matchups in terms of opponent length and athleticism.Despite some of the uneasiness, the Hokies are still 8-4; Virginia Tech ranks inside the top 35 in terms of adjust offensive and defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
Following close calls vs. Memphis and Xavier, Mike Young’s club picked up a second signature non-conference victory last week. Virginia Tech thrashed a good St. Bonaventure club, winning 86-49 in Charlotte.
Plenty of guys contributed for the win; however, it was nice to see junior wing Hunter Cattoor put together arguably his best game of the season.
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https://balldurham.com/2021/12/20/duke-basketball-continues-impress/ (balldurham.com; Connelly)
Saturday evening marked the end of the non-conference schedule for the Duke basketball program, and the No. 2 Blue Devils (10-1) now have their eyes set on a weak ACC.
After having to schedule two different opponents to close out its non-con slate, Duke ran Elon (3-9) out of Cameron Indoor Stadium, 87-56.
The victory was the third of the week for Mike Krzyzewski’s team after the program was previously coming off a scheduled two-week break.
Duke won by a combined 97 points against South Carolina State, Appalachian State, and Elon. The trio of games does not exactly mimic Murderers’ Row, but it is still impressive to win three straight games by that margin in a short amount of time.
The Blue Devils were one second-half collapse against Ohio State — now ranked as the No. 14 team in the AP Poll — from being the No. 1 team in the country and entering conference play with an unbeaten record.
Trevor Keels led the way against the Phoenix with 19 points, and every player who stepped on the floor scored for the team.
Duke basketball looking to feast on weak ACC
If the non-conference schedule is any indication, the ACC is not a good conference this season and will be struggling to get teams — outside of Duke — into the NCAA Tournament this year.
The Blue Devils will lose games in the conference, as it is just the nature of the sport, but Duke should easily be the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament this season in Brooklyn.
Duke has not won a share of the ACC regular season title since the 2009-10 season, and the last outright ACC regular season title was in 2005-06 for Mike Krzyzewski’s team.
Virginia Tech (8-4, 0-1 ACC) will open up Duke’s conference play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, December 21 at 9:00 p.m. (ESPN2).
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Other
Preliminary drawing shows the proposed $85 million Onondaga County Aquarium at the Syracuse Inner Harbor. View is from the west side of the harbor. (QPK Design)
https://www.syracuse.com/news/2021/...r-close-vote-as-lawmakers-express-doubts.html (PS; Breidenbach)
Critics of the proposal to build an $85 million aquarium start by saying how much they love the idea. Then, they roll out the unknowns.
Will it really attract as many visitors as Onondaga County Ryan McMahon’s consultants say? Will it pay for itself or will county government have to bail it out? Will people who live here be able to afford the $21 ticket price? Do people even like aquariums anymore?
Despite the uncertainty, the proposal could move forward if 9 of 17 legislators say yes at Tuesday’s full legislative session, which starts at 1 p.m.
On Monday, legislators were still making up their minds. The aquarium could sink or swim on one or two votes. And support for the aquarium does not run along typical party lines. McMahon cannot rely on fellow Republicans to carry his pet project.
Even Legislator Brian May, the Republican majority leader, said he has no idea what will happen or how he will vote.
“I’ll decide tomorrow,” he said. “That the aquarium can have an economic impact is something we can get behind in concept. For me, the funding and the operations are something I’d like to spend more time focusing on.”
In committee meetings in the last month, legislators from both parties have repeatedly challenged the panel of experts McMahon has rolled out to make his best sales pitch. That includes Deputy County Executive Mary Beth Primo, Rosamond Gifford Zoo Director Ted Fox and David Bottar, executive director of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board. This is Bottar’s third time in the past 25 years to make a case for an aquarium in Syracuse.
A consulting firm, which was paid $120,000 to study the concept, says the county should expect about 490,000 visitors each year. Half of those visitors would be people who live within a 20-minute drive, they say in a 220-page report.
It’s just one of many facts the report states as fact, along with projections about hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in spin-off investment in the Inner Harbor.
Legislator Jim Rowley, a Republican and the former chief financial officer for the county, is not buying the numbers. He put the panel on the spot during the Ways & Means Committee meeting Friday.
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