sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Weigh In Day!
Losing weight is oftentimes a goal as a new year begins, with many viewing it as an ideal time for starting a new weight-loss plan. The breakfast cereal brand Special K created National Weigh-In Day with the objective of changing the way women thought and talked about weight loss. Special K doesn't want women to think about numbers when stepping on a scale, but instead, wants them to imagine what they will gain emotionally from losing weight. It wants them to focus on the progress they will make in the coming year and the accomplishments they foresee attaining.
Personalized meal plans, tracking tools, and support from others all assist those working to lose weight to achieve their goals. With the launch of National Weigh-In Day in 2012, Special K's website was equipped with weight tracking tools, a location to design a weight-loss plan, and a spot where an online weight loss community could gather. It doesn't appear that the website still includes these things, and the official role Special K had with the day appears to have receded. Nonetheless, National Weigh-In Day continues on, with those observing it setting weight loss goals and working to achieve them.
SU News
ACC basketball power rankings: How far does Syracuse fall after loss to Virginia? (PS; $; Waters)
The ACC rang in the New Year with a slightly less than full slate of conference games last week.
But despite having several games postponed with teams in Covid protocol, the return of conference play was a welcome sight ― and a bit of a help in the clarification of the weekly ACC power rankings.
Beginning with this week, the rankings will give more credence to conference results rather than overall records, which can be misleading due to varying strengths of schedule.
It didn’t help that three teams were rendered completely idle due to Covid pauses, but having five ACC games just this past weekend was a welcome sight.
1. Duke
Record: 11-1 (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: 1st
Last week’s results: No games
This week’s schedule: Tuesday vs. Georgia Tech; Saturday vs. Miami
Why No. 1? Duke had to postpone both of its games this past week due to Covid protocols. The Blue Devils retain the top spot despite being idle.
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Head Coach Tony Bennett addresses the media after Virginia's win over Syracuse.
Three takeaways from the Virginia men's basketball team's 74-69 win over Syracuse (dailyprogress.com; Madia)
Perhaps the 74-69 victory at Syracuse on New Year’s Day to start its three-game conference road swing is a sign that Tony Bennett’s bunch is coming together.
With a pair of transfers, two freshmen and the majority of returners in magnified roles for the first time, the initial months of Virginia’s campaign were a struggle for consistent success on offense while its defense continued to improve as players worked to become more used to their newer responsibilities.
But on Saturday night, the Cavaliers complemented their good defense by shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3 against the Orange’s 2-3 zone. Those marks were each the Hoos’ best against a fellow high-major foe since their one-point loss to Iowa in late November.
Guards Kihei Clark and Armaan Franklin as well as forwards Jayden Gardner and Kadin Shedrick all reached double-figure scoring totals and made critical contributions throughout to propel UVa (8-5, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) to its first true road win of the season in a venue that’s historically difficult to win in.
“There were some opportunities where we could’ve gotten rattled, but the guys held in there,” Bennett, the 13th-year Cavaliers coach, said.
Said longtime ‘Cuse coach Jim Boeheim: “Virginia is good. They’re smart. It’s a good team and they’ll be a difficult team the rest of the way for everybody.”
Here are three takeaways from UVa’s triumph at the Carrier Dome.
Clark’s assertiveness
The most experienced player on the Cavaliers’ roster, Clark, a senior who has played in 106 games and started 86 of them, acted like it down the stretch.He took only three shots in the first half, but with the game on the line, he was 5-of-6 from the field in the final 20 minutes to finish with 17 points, eight assists, a block and a steal.
“He’s been in this setting,” Bennett said. “This is his fourth year playing against [Syracuse]. And … no one else has played in the Carrier Dome except for Kihei.”
The 5-foot-10 steady-hand sought opportunities to shoot the ball or drive the lane, and when it wasn’t there, he masterfully manipulated the zone to create open chances for others.
Clark’s 3 with 3:28 to go was the most pivotal basket of the contest. It extended UVa’s lead to six again and immediately answered Orange guard Buddy Boeheim’s 3 just as the Syracuse crowd began gaining energy. Clark tacked on a nifty up-and-under layup to push the Cavs to 70 and then he made one-and-one free throws with 22 seconds left for the contest’s final points, burying the Orange for good.
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Syracuse Basketball: 4-star guard, a top SU target, ‘coveted shot-maker’ (itlh; Adler)
At a prestigious holiday tournament in North Carolina, a Syracuse basketball four-star recruiting target caught the attention of a national analyst.
Reid Ducharme, a 2023 four-star shooting guard who appears to be a high-priority recruiting prospect for Orange coaches in this cycle, was recently suiting up along with his prep-school teammates at the John Wall Family Foundation Holiday Invitational in Raleigh, N.C.
The 6-foot-6 Ducharme put forth a really nice performance in one game, although his squad, the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., lost to Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., by a final count of 71 to 63, according to the tournament’s Twitter page.
Per a tweet from The HS Circuit, Ducharme finished that contest with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Talk about stuffing the stat sheet!
Syracuse basketball looks to be a strong contender for four-star Reid Ducharme.
According to media reports that we’ve noted of late, the Brewster Academy junior is eyeing a likely visit to the Hill in the near future. Ducharme has also said in interviews that the ‘Cuse is among numerous teams that he hears from frequently. He was offered by Syracuse basketball this past August at the Orange’s annual Elite Camp.
A top-100 prospect and a top-20 shooting guard in the 2023 cycle according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Ducharme holds other offers from teams such as Connecticut, Providence, Stanford, Iowa, UMass, DePaul, Harvard and Brown.
In a recent piece, 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London wrote that Ducharme hears consistently from Penn State, Providence, Loyola Chicago, Marquette, Brown and Harvard, among others. Michigan State is also reportedly showing interest in him.
Travis Branham, also a national analyst for 247Sports, was on hand to watch Ducharme at the John Wall Family Foundation Holiday Invitational.
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Syracuse Basketball: Orange jumps into recruitment of fast-rising big man (itlh; Adler)
A hot prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle has earned an offer from Syracuse basketball, according to a media report.
Pro Insight director of scouting Andrew Slater recently tweeted out that Orange coaches have offered a scholarship to Yves Missi, a 6-foot-11 center in the 2024 class.
According to reports and comments from national analysts and scouts, Missi is a talented and underrated big man who is beginning to make his mark on a national scale.
He is a sophomore at the West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Md., and Missi runs on the grassroots basketball circuit with the Bronx, N.Y.-based PSA Cardinals, which is one of the best AAU squads around the country.
Syracuse basketball has gotten into the fray for big man Yves Missi.
According to media reports, recruiting services and Missi’s own Twitter page, his other scholarship offers include from UCLA, St. John’s, DePaul, Norfolk State and USC Upstate.
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Axe: 5 Syracuse sports predictions for 2022 (PS; $; Axe)
Happy New Year, everyone!
We know Antonio Brown is off to a rough start, but hope the rest of you have been enjoying 2022 so far.
Let’s not forget Larry David’s three-day statute of limitations for wishing people “Happy New Year.” You have until the end of the day Tuesday to do so and that’s it.
2021 was a year that brought about a lot of change to the Syracuse sports scene.
What we’re bound to see over the next 362 days is still anyone’s guess and for this exercise I’ll be playing the role of “anyone.”
Here are five predictions of what’s to come in 2022:
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'Cuse Militia Podcast - Armchair Media Network (AMN, podcast; Cuse Militia)
Episode 346- Syracuse basketball: Virginia Post-game/Miami Preview!
Five Takeaways: Virginia 74 Syracuse 69 (SI; McAllister)
Here are five takeaways from Syracuse's 74-69 loss to Virginia.
1. Rebounding
One of the big positives from this game was rebounding. Syracuse really crashed the boards, especially in the second half. While Virginia is not a great rebounding team, it was the effort and energy attacking the boards that was the encouraging part. Syracuse outrebounded Virginia 37-33 and had 18 offensive boards. That led to three more field goal attempts and 13 more free throws than Virginia. Both good things. There were a few moments that were not positive on the boards, including when Virginia missed a transition layup and Cole Swider allowed a smaller player to get a rebound over him for a put back. But largely it was a strong effort on the glass.
2. Defense
There were times when the Syracuse defense was pretty good. Good rotations, closing out on shooters, contesting shots. Those possessions were too rare, however, especially in the second half. Virginia shot 63% in the second half. In the first, the Cavs were just 4-14 from beyond the arc but only took six three pointers in the second half. That was due to getting the ball inside for better looks and not settling for outside shots. Jayden Gardner had a field day inside as did Kadin Shedrick. This was a below average offensive team in Virginia, and Syracuse allowed them to score 74 points, 13 above its average. It was the second most points the Cavs scored all season. Syracuse is not winning games like that. The defense does not have to be great, it just has to be decent. It was not in this game.
3. Missed Shots & Free Throws
Despite Virginia's defense being one of the better ones Syracuse will face this season, the Orange largely got good shots. Sure there were some offensive possessions that were poor, but that will happen against a team like Virginia. Most of the game, however, Syracuse got looks that you'd take. The problem is there were too many missed open looks. Cole Swider was just 3-12 shooting, Jimmy Boeheim was 7-18 with too many missed shots in the lane, Joe Girard was 1-5. Jimmy was also just 2-8 from the free throw line, accounting for six of Syracuse's eight missed free throws. He is now shooting 56% from the free throw line after 71% last season. That has to improve. Cole has to make open looks for Syracuse to win. Scoring 69 points on Virginia is good. They give up only 57 per game. Despite that, there was a lot of meat left on the bone offensively. Shooting 37% is not going to cut it when your defense is not good.
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Other
Mike Spengler, a former Syracuse University student, played trumpet on the Bruce Springsteen tour that played a historic show in East Berlin before the fall of the wall.
Mike Spengler dies: Syracuse grad played trumpet for Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Asbury Jukes (PS; Waters)
Mike Spengler, a noted trumpet player who performed with Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, died on Friday due to acute kidney failure.
Spengler also was a member of Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul as well as the Miami Horns.
Spengler, who was born in Paterson, N.J., and lived in Englewood, N.J., attended Syracuse University for several years in the early to mid-1970s.
At Syracuse, Spengler played in several ensembles, the school’s marching band and, in 1975, the first pep band.
“That was the Final Four year in 1975,’’ Spengler recalled in a 2020 interview with syracuse.com. “Rudy Hackett and a bunch of short guys who could shoot it. I remember playing in the pep band at a couple games at Manley Field House.’’
While in Syracuse, Spengler also performed with the Bobby Hamilton Quintet; his first real jazz gig. He left SU just short of his degree “to go start doing it for real.’’
Spengler made a name for himself as a top trumpet player. He got his first big break when he was hired to play trumpet with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on the “Love is a Sacrifice’' tour. He toured with the group for two years before Diana Ross hired the entire horn section to tour with her.
His stint with Ross included the 1983 concert in New York’s Central Park in front of an estimated crowd of 450,000.
In 1987, Spengler was asked to join Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on the “Tunnel of Love’' tour. The European part of the tour included a famous performance in East Berlin on July 19, 1988; one year before the Berlin Wall came down.
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