sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Random Acts of Kindness Day!
Each year on February 17th, National Random Acts of Kindness Day grows in popularity. It is celebrated by individuals, groups, and organizations nationwide to encourage acts of kindness.
The movement of Random Acts of Kindness inspires people every day. As a favorite celebration for many, people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness. Not only do the acts of kindness bring joy to the receiver, but they spread positive reactions to the giver, too!
SU News
Opponent Preview: What to know about Boston College (DO; Fernandez)
After losing starting center Jesse Edwards for the season against the Eagles less than two weeks ago, Syracuse fell to Virginia Tech on the road. Now, the Orange will begin the first of three games in five days when they host Boston College in the Carrier Dome on Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Eagles before they rematch SU at noon in the Carrier Dome:
All-time series
Syracuse leads 54-26.Last time they played
Less than two weeks ago, Syracuse extended its win streak to four games with a 73-64 victory over Boston College. The game started out with sloppy shooting from both teams, who went a combined 7-of-29 from the field in the opening nine minutes. Syracuse eventually snapped out of it, building a 10-point lead going into halftime while the Eagles continued to struggle.Fueled by a season-high 21 points from Cole Swider, who played all 40 minutes, Syracuse took control and held off a late BC comeback to secure the nine-point victory. Edwards had his only zero-point performance of the season and fouled out. He injured his left wrist late in the contest in what was later announced to be a season-ending injury.
KenPom odds
Syracuse has an 80% chance of victory with a projected score of 78-68.The Boston College report
At 9-15 overall and 4-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Eagles are among the conference’s worst teams in mid-February. They have managed a few unexpected victories, including a 16-point win over Notre Dame in December. But BC has won just one of its last seven contests (over Pittsburgh).The Eagles have the 155th-best offense in the country, and the 163rd-best defense, both of which are near the bottom of the ACC. They aren’t particularly good at free-throw shooting, or 2-point shooting. They’re near the bottom when it comes to 3-point shooting as well.
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Beat writers agree on Syracuse win against Boston College (DO; Staff)
After Virginia Tech snapped Syracuse’s four-game win streak on Saturday, the Orange return to the Dome for their second game against Boston College. That loss was the Orange’s first without center Jesse Edwards, who fractured his wrist a week prior.
Now, with a week of rest, Syracuse will prepare to face fellow Dutch center Quinten Post. When the two sides last faced, Post recorded a double-double off the bench with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Edwards struggled, racking up fouls and finishing with zero points. It gave Syracuse a glimpse into what its defensive coverage of Post will require this weekend, since Edwards has been ruled out for the season.
Here’s what our beat writers think will happen when Syracuse hosts Boston College on Saturday:
Andrew Crane (17-8)
Rinse, repeat
Syracuse 68, Boston College 58
What appeared to be an easy, straightforward win in Chestnut Hill last week will likely end up serving as one of the most pivotal games of the Orange’s season after Edwards’ injury. He, along with all of Syracuse’s forwards, struggled to guard and rebound against Post inside, and I’m curious if BC tries to capitalize on that matchup more given that Edwards won’t play at all on Saturday. Still, this is a matchup SU wins because of its offense and the fact that it’s a group capable of scoring significantly more points than the Eagles. The Orange will certainly lose games because of Edwards’ absence going forward, like the loss to Virginia Tech. But Saturday won’t be one of them, though the Eagles could keep it close for a bit if Frank Anselem struggles inside.
Roshan Fernandez (15-10)
The definition of a gimme
Syracuse 79, Boston College 68
Less than two weeks ago, Syracuse took care of business against Boston College despite Edwards’ only zero-point performance of the season. The Orange looked far from convincing for many stretches on offense, and though the Eagles scored 40 points in the paint, they still couldn’t top 65 points, and the Orange won by nine. That was on the road where SU is 3-6. It’s 9-3 at home this season, and taking care of the Eagles — even with Anselem at center instead of Edwards — should be straightforward. I thought Anselem actually looked very impressive against VT despite the loss, providing a dominant presence on the glass (15 rebounds). Anselem’s development on the offensive end will likely take time, but BC is definitely a good spot for him to get going. I sheepishly called the previous BC matchup “not quite a gimme” in my predictions, but I think this one in the Dome is the definition of a “gimme.”
Gaurav Shetty (14-11)
Back to form
Syracuse 80, Boston College 62
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Makai and Demarr Langford emerge as dynamic sibling tandem at Boston College (DO; Mazer)
When they were young, a typical afternoon for brothers Makai Ashton-Langford and DeMarr Langford Jr. began with the boys begging their father to take them to YMCA for some pickup, which ended with middle-aged adults feeling bad about themselves after losing to the kids. Since they were three years apart, YMCA was the only place where Makai and DeMarr could play on the same team, testing their skills against bigger, faster and more veteran players.
At that time, the brothers’ basketball IQ, combined with their athleticism, showed they were heading to the next level. Now, the boys are still doing it together, this time at Boston College, where they are the team’s two leading scorers. As a fifth-year senior, Makai averages a team-high 12.4 points and 3.1 assists per game while sophomore DeMarr has become a full-time starter this season, notching just under 11 points per game.
“Getting to play with my brother and see him develop, I could not think of a better way for this to happen,” Makai said.
The Langford brothers followed their parents, Sacha Langford and DeMarr Langford Sr., who met playing basketball at Worcester State. Both parents were 1,000 point scorers in high school, and they left an impact on the brothers.
“I remember our dad bringing us to the YMCA or the park whenever we had free time,” DeMarr said. “We all just loved the game so much.”
The boys developed after their days at the YMCA, with Makai averaging 22 points, four rebounds and six assists while leading Cushing Academy (Mass.) to the AA New England Prep School Championship.
Makai joined highly touted Brewster Academy (New Hampshire) the next season, and the team went 33-0, winning the National Prep School Championship. Makai also dominated in AAU basketball, leading the Mass Rivals to 21 straight wins and four tournament titles.
“Makai has always been a winner. You can always count on his high energy level and determination to win,” said Vin Pastore, Makai’s AAU coach.
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Joe Girard's love for basketball sneakers has grown from trips to Dick's in middle school to online shopping for limited edition shoes.
Joe Girard III's collection of over 80 shoes built on relationship with mother (DO; Shetty)
When Joe Girard III was in middle school, his mom Arleen Girard would bring him and his cousins to the mall. It was there that Girard remembers getting his first pair of Starburys, a shoe worn by former NBA star Stephon Marbury.
He’d ask for those Starburys multiple times, eventually racking up six pairs in different colors.
“The only way I would get him to go to the store or the mall is if we promised to go to Dick’s Sporting Goods or Foot Locker,” Arleen said.
Now, Girard’s collection has spread past just Starburys, and he estimated that he has roughly 70 pairs of shoes stowed away in his closet. Girard joked that his mom always tried to count the number of shoes in his closet, and Arleen said, “he has more than 80 here, I can tell you.” What started with a desire to match his uniform with his shoes evolved into a collection that Girard and Arleen have added to over the years. Because of his collection, Girard claims to have the best shoe game on the team.
“Benny’s pretty close. Symir’s got some good ones. But I think I got them beat,” Girard said, laughing.
Arleen said that Girard’s love of shoes originated when he was about five years old, when he began playing organized basketball. Girard grew up in a basketball family because his dad was a coach, so Arleen said he had an idea of what a basketball player looked like.
Eventually, Girard’s desire to match uniforms led to him needing many new pairs of shoes, since his team’s colors changed when his basketball career took off. Once, the color scheme was green and black, then red and black and now orange and blue.
“It’s a hobby and a passion,” Girard said. “Just something I love to do, rather than picking up cards or collecting cards or stuff like that.”
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ESPN Syracuse: On The Block On Demand 2-16 on Apple Podcasts (apple.com; podcast; On the Block)
Brent Axe creates the most likely path for Syracuse men's basketball to get over .500, including a big game this weekend. Plus, NIL deals are here to stay in college sports and will be impacting the local teams.
ESPN Syracuse: Schayes & Higgins 2-16 on Apple Podcasts (apple.com; podcast; Schayes & Higgins)
Danny Schayes and Brian Higgins chat with SU forward Benny Williams and take a look around the ACC after Duke's buzzer-beating win last night.
ESPN Syracuse: 30 Minutes In Orange Nation 2-16 on Apple Podcasts (apple.com; podcast; Orange Nation)
On a Wednesday edition of Orange Nation, Steve and Paulie could not agree less with Jordan's thoughts as the SU season comes to a close. Plus, Paulie turns a contest to win a chance to shoot a shot on the Dome into a station-wide gambling ring with hosts and listeners included.
ESPN Syracuse: Etan Thomas "Orange Nation" 2-16 on Apple Podcasts (apple.com; podcast; Orange Nation)
Former Syracuse center Etan Thomas joins the show to discuss the importance of a winning record for the Orange, Benny Williams' miscues in the Virginia Tech loss and more.
ESPN Syracuse: Allen Griffin "Orange Nation" 2-16 on Apple Podcasts (apple.com; podcast; Orange Nation)
Syracuse men's basketball assistant coach Allen Griffin to discuss how the team is keeping its collective head up in tough times, how Buddy and Jimmy specifically are handling this season and more.
Syracuse Basketball: Analyst details big upside of new 4-star center targets (itlh; Adler)
A pair of Syracuse basketball recruiting targets recently entered the national rankings when updated its ratings for their respective cycles.
Now a national analyst with that recruiting service is providing some additional details about how these two Orange prospects could climb the national rankings even further down the line.
The ‘Cuse targets under discussion here are 2023 four-star center Ugonna Kingsley and 2024 four-star center Yves Missi. The 7-foot Kingsley, a junior at the Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Conn., received a scholarship offer from the Orange coaching staff earlier this month, according to college basketball insider Adam Zagoria.
The 6-foot-11 Missi, meanwhile, picked up a Syracuse basketball offer in mid-December. He is a sophomore at the West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Md.
Two Syracuse basketball targets have “tremendous upside,” an expert says.
When refreshed its 2023 and 2024 national rankings not too long ago, Kingsley entered the ratings at No. 87, while Missi soared all the way into the rankings for his cycle at No. 39.However, in a recent article by basketball recruiting director Rob Cassidy, he said that Kingsley and Missi could see their stock climb even further because of the upside that each high-school player possesses.
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Syracuse Basketball: Empire Classic to conjure up painful 1991 memories (itlh; Adler)
In mid-March of 1991, a Syracuse basketball squad led by former star Billy Owens made NCAA Tournament history, but in a way that Orange fans would like to forget.
In the first round of the 1991 Big Dance, the No. 2 seed ‘Cuse fell to No. 15 seed Richmond by a final count of 73-69. That stunner marked the first time a No. 2 seed had lost in the opening round of March Madness.
The pesky Richmond Spiders shocked the college basketball world on March 14, 1991, knocking off the mighty Orange inside Cole Field House on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park, Md.
Richmond, a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, could meet up with the ‘Cuse next season, according to a media report. How fun would that be (insert sarcasm here)?
Syracuse basketball and an old friend will participate in the same 2022 pre-season tourney.
Per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the four teams that will play in the 2022 Empire Classic are the Orange, Richmond, former Big East Conference rival St. John’s and Temple.Rothstein reports that the 2022 Empire Classic will occur this coming November, although the dates, match-ups and location of this pre-season tourney are still to be determined.
Part of me wants to see the ‘Cuse suit up versus Richmond, although Syracuse basketball potentially playing St. John’s or Temple would be fun, too.
All-time, the Orange is 3-1 against the Spiders. Since that dreadful 1991 setback, Syracuse basketball has won three straight over Richmond. Their most recent battle came in November of 2008, when the ‘Cuse scored a home defeat of the Spiders, 76-71.
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ESPN snubs Jim Larranaga as ACC Coach of the Year candidate (caneswarning.com; Rubenstein)
After being picked to finish 12th in the ACC in 2021-22 season the Miami basketball team has started 18-7 overall and 10-4 in the conference. Myron Medcalf of ESPN chose Steve Forbes of Wake Forest as the ACC Coach of the Year and Mike Brey of Notre Dame as “in the running” over Miami head coach Jim Larranaga.
Six Miami players transferred from the 2020-21 team. Miami also lost guard Harlond Beverly with a back injury four games into the 2021-22 season. That’s a total of seven players Miami had on the 2020-21 roster, not with the Hurricanes in 2021-22. Despite the losses, Jim Larranaga has led Miami to exceed projections.
Wake Forest was picked 13th, but far behind Miami. The Hurricanes received 428 points from the media. Wake Forest only received 274. The Demon Deacons lost seven transfers from their 2020-21 team. Miami finished 10-17 last season, Wake Forest 6-16. The Hurricanes have not had a winning season since 2017-18.
Wake Forest has not had a winning season since 2016-17. Forbes is in his second season coaching Wake Forest. Notre Dame finished 11-15 in 2020-21 for their second losing season in the last three years. Miami swept Wake Forest in the regular season while losing their only game with Notre Dame at home.
Duke currently leads the ACC with a 12-3 record. Notre Dame is second at 11-3 and Miami and North Carolina are tied for third. Miami holds the tiebreaker over North Carolina after defeating them in Coral Gables last month. The Hurricanes and Tar Heels will only play once in the regular season this year.
Larranaga has won the ACC Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2016. In eight previous seasons in the ACC Brey has amazingly never won the conference Coach of the Year. Notre Dame has had winning records in five of its nine years in the ACC. Larranaga is on pace for his seventh winning season in the ACC.
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Links, News and Rumors 2022-02-17 (RX; HM)
Links, News and Rumors 2022-02-17
Pitt got your goat?I normally save basketball news for last, but this felt like a headline: UNC lost at home to Pitt, the lowest-rated ACC team in terms of NET (179th). The score was Pitt 76, UNC 67 - a 9-point game. That's after the Tar Heels made a second half comeback attempt; the home team was down 23-40 at halftime.
By the way, there were two more games played, both of which went according to chalk: Notre Dame beat Boston College at home, 99-95, while Miami took care of Louisville on the road, 70-63.
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From nielsen.com: Broadband-only TV homes amplify sports viewership
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Other
Hacks suffer vexation at hands of Fanboys in 58-46 defeat (DO; Whence)
Oh, how thy streak must end’d. The final whistleth must blow, and the dear Hacks dreameth of emerging victorious proved ever unconqu’rable. As thy veteran scribes Andrew Crane, Skyler Rivera, Gaurav Shetty and Tim Nolan did check in to thy contest ’r the final timeth, they were jargogled by a rather unusual sight: the Fanboys of WAER vanquishing their recent failures and conquering thy Hacks — what hasn’t been done since the days of Paul Schwedelson.
“All I can say is please beat those a**holes next year,” Nolan quipped post-match.
The succession to fill the lost and missed, whom hadst hath led the dear scribes to a quartet of consecutive victories, beganeth during the days of autumn wherest the air is crisp and the rims are pulpy. The sophomore sensation Tyler Schiff, united with fellow novice scribes Anish Vasudevan, Adam McCaffery and Nick Luttrell, assembled as a lot so assiduous and scrupulous that it seemed the Hacks’ stretch of victoriousness would continue into the 22nd year of the 21st century as ordained by the Gregorian calendar.
But alas, it wasn’t to be. The recruitment and promotion of the incredibly novice and tall Fanboy Thomas Cook, a gentleman promoted just mere days before the event as part of a “10-day contract,” per undisclosed Fanboy sources, created a scene never rendered before in front of the Hacks. Cook’s placement of the ball through the nylon mere seconds into timekeeping proved symbolic of the whipping the 6-foot-7 Fanboy would hand the scribes throughout the Hacks’ 58-46 defeat. In the gathering inside the enclave that is thy Carrier Dome, the Hacks proved unable to once again conquer the Fanboys.
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