Orangeyes Daily Articles for Thursday for Basketball

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Welcome to Monkey Day!

Monkey Day celebrates not only monkeys, but all simians, which include New World monkeys, Old World Monkeys, and apes. The day exists to bring awareness to the animals, and to show love and care for them. It was created by artists Casey Sorrow and Eric Millikin, when they were art students at Michigan State University in 2000. At first the day was celebrated by students at MSU, but it eventually gained a wider following after its creators' artwork and alternative comics, which featured Monkey Day, were published online and at exhibits. Today it is celebrated all around the world.

SU News

Syracuse coach Adrian Autry reacts to play as his team takes on Gonzaga in the Maui Invitational. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia) AP

Will Autry recruit a different kind of player than Boeheim’s long, athletic types? (Mike’s Mailbox) (PS; Waters)

Syracuse’s head coaching transition from Jim Boeheim to Adrian Autry is currently taking place on the basketball court, but it’s also taking place on the recruiting trail.

A question about Autry’s recruiting philosophy leads off this week’s Mailbox. Will Autry go after a different type of recruit? It’s an intriguing concept.

Mailbox also has a couple of questions regarding some statistical oddities involving this year’s Orange. And Glue Guys. We’ve got a list of Syracuse’s all-time best Glue Guys.

Let’s get to it.

(If you have a question; follow-up or otherwise, for the Mailbox, email it to mwaters@syracuse.com).

Q: Jim Boeheim tended to recruit tall, lean, athletic type players for his zone, with the downside we never seemed to have great 3-point shooters or even consistent outside shooters. Given Adrian Autry’s philosophy, do you think we will see a change in the type of player being recruited at Syracuse?

Bill M.

Mike: I always thought it was sort of a fallacy that Jim Boeheim recruited players that were somehow different from the players other coaches recruited because of his use of the zone. I mean, what coach doesn’t want tall, lean athletic types?

And Syracuse has always had shooters. From Jason Cipolla to Gerry McNamara, Andy Rautins to Buddy Boeheim. Two years ago, it could be argued that Syracuse had too many shooters and not enough quality athletes when the starting lineup included Buddy Boeheim, Joe Girard, Cole Swider and Jimmy Boeheim.

All that aside, I think we may see some shift in recruiting philosophy and the type of players that Adrian Autry brings into his system. He’s looking for aggressive players who can get after it defensively. I think you’ll see a player with a different mind-set that reflects pressure man-to-man defense. It’s more the player’s style of play and not his body type that will change.
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Opponent preview: What to know about Oregon (DO; O'Brien)

After playing longtime rival Georgetown in Washington, D.C. last week, Syracuse travels to South Dakota for a neutral-site matchup against Oregon Sunday. The two teams have only played once before and both are searching for their eighth win.

The Ducks shoot 38.8% from 3-point range, which ranks as the 29th-best percentage in the country. The Orange, meanwhile, have been one of the weaker 3-point shooting teams in the country but had their best performance of the season from beyond the arc against the Hoyas, finishing 5-for-11.

Here’s everything you need to know about Oregon (7-2, 0-0 Pacific-12 Conference) before its matchup with Syracuse (7-3, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference):

All-time series​

Oregon leads 1-0.

Last time they played​

In 2018, Syracuse and Oregon played at a neutral site in its only matchup against each other. The two competed at Madison Square Garden in the 2K Empire Classic consolation game.

Like the current rendition of the Orange, their 2018-19 squad struggled from 3-point range. Against the Ducks, Elijah Hughes made two 3-pointers, but SU shot 5-for-28 from 3 and failed to keep up with Oregon in the first half.

While the second half box score was much tighter, the Orange failed to stop two future NBA players on the opposite sideline. The Ducks’ Bol Bol and Payton Pritchard scored 26 and 18 points, respectively, while Bol collected a game-high nine rebounds. Oregon eventually outrebounded SU 35-28 en route to an 80-65 victory.
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Beat writers split on whether Syracuse will defeat Oregon in Sioux Falls (DO; Staff)

Adrian Autry returned to the away locker room at Capital One Arena (D.C.) and started dancing. Judah Mintz, a Maryland native, scored 25 points in his homecoming. J.J. Starling added a season-high 21. Quadir Copeland registered a career-best 14.

Everything went right for Syracuse in its 80-68 victory over once-Big East rivals Georgetown on Dec. 9. SU won the 99th all-time meeting between both sides by outscoring the Hoyas 20-2 in fast break points and holding them to a lowly 19.2% clip from 3.

Following the win, the Orange enjoy an eight-day break before taking on Oregon in Sioux Falls, SD Sunday. The Ducks have strung together a three-game win streak after suffering consecutive losses against Santa Clara and Alabama in late-November.

Here’s what our beat writers think will unfold during Syracuse’s (7-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) neutral site matchup with Oregon (7-2, 0-0 Pacific-12 Conference):

Cole Bambini (9-1)
Sioux Falls showdown
Syracuse 76, Oregon 75

Coming off a convincing win down the stretch against rival Georgetown, Syracuse has the chance to pull off a resume-building win in its penultimate nonconference matchup. Mintz and Starling have fueled the Orange offensively, combining for 46 of SU’s 80 points against the Hoyas. The backcourt duo will need to be on full display again versus Oregon.

The Ducks sit in the top third of both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Averaging 80.2 points per game, the Ducks will be a test for the Orange. But, I think they can make this game close due to its neutral location and matchup against a team that is lower-caliber than the programs Syracuse faced in Hawaii.

Copeland played a pivotal role against Georgetown and other bench players like Maliq Brown will need to show up defensively to keep the game tight. This game will come down to who can play the best down the stretch and stay out of foul trouble.

Henry O’Brien (10-0)
Ducks go Orange hunting
Oregon 75, Syracuse 72

Against Georgetown, Syracuse showed it has a winning formula that relies on Mintz and Starling. And with bench players like Brown and Copeland providing valuable minutes, SU will play Dana Altman’s squad tight.

But Oregon is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country. Starters like Jackson Shelstad and Jadrian Tracey both shoot 40% or higher and will be a headache for Autry’s defense. The Ducks also have the 46th-best effective field goal percentage in the country and rarely turn the ball over with a 15.2 turnover rate — 58th-best in the nation.

Meanwhile, the Orange have shown that their 3-point shooting is spotty. Yes, Mintz has become an efficient 3-point shooter. But Chris Bell, Justin Taylor and Starling have never shown the consistency to make tough shots from beyond the arc. SU will make it a close contest, but I see the Ducks eeking out a win in South Dakota by being the more efficient offense.

Tyler Schiff (9-1)
Start stringing ‘em together
Syracuse 73, Oregon 70

Syracuse’s win over Georgetown provided glimpses of its sky-high ceiling. Mintz and Starling excelled offensively and Copeland’s double-digit scoring was partnered with a surprise feature from Mounir Hima, who played impressive minutes. Defensively, SU’s guards contained Hoyas star Jayden Epps, holding him to 17 points.

But facing Oregon is a far greater test than any of SU’s seven victories so far. It’s a test which rivals those previously presented by top 25 teams Tennessee, Gonzaga and Virginia. Led by senior guard Jermaine Couisnard — a prolific three-level scorer — the Ducks also boast promising, talented freshmen presences Kwame Evans and Shelstad.

Now on a two-game winning streak, Syracuse has an opportunity to match its season-best of three in a row. Mintz and Starling will likely have their way offensively. And with early injuries dealt to Oregon’s N’Faly Dante and Nate Bittle, SU should control the paint. Though Autry mentioned Naheem McLeod’s limited play time at D.C. was a product of “an irritated foot at the end of the half,” he, Brown and Hima should dominate.
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(youtube; video; Syracuse Orange)

Take a closer look at 'Cuse's victory over the Hoyas.

Dan Thome "Orange Nation" 12-13-23 (ESPN; radio; Orange Nation)

Wildcat Pub owner Dan Thome joins Steve and Paulie for their weekly chat where the guys talk about what’s happening at the restaurant, chat about baseball cards, predict Sunday’s Syracuse-Oregon game, and more.

30 Minutes In Orange Nation 12-13-23 (ESPN; radio; Orange Nation)

Steve and Paulie open today’s show giving an update on which Syracuse football players have put their names in the transfer portal and whether or not any of them are cause for concern. Then, the guys talk Syracuse men’s basketball working off some comments from Coach Allen Griffin on this morning’s Devo & Kris Jo Show. Later, Jordan joins the guys with some NBA and MLB talking points for Today’s Business.

Axe: Ian Eagle on being the new voice of the Final Four and getting to work with his son (podcast) (PS; podcast; Axe)

In 1998, Ian Eagle was asked to call a Syracuse-Georgetown game for CBS.

It was a dream come true for the Syracuse University graduate, who had just been hired by the network as a play-by-play announcer for college basketball.

Which made it all the more harder to turn down the job.

Eagle’s gig as the play-by-play voice for the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets created a conflict for the SU-Georgetown game he could not get out of.

Fast forward to 2023.

Eagle has called plenty of college basketball games for CBS (including a few Syracuse-Georgetown games) and is set to take over as the voice of the Final Four for CBS this season.

Eagle discussed that along with getting to work with his son, Noah, on the YES Network, Tommy DeVito mania (Eagle lives just seven minutes away from the DeVito family) and more on a new episode of Syracuse Sports presented by Crouse Health.
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TideIllustrated - Checking in on Syracuse Basketball transfers (r1vals.com; Gustin)

Other

A visitor waits for a Costa Coffee machine to dispense a cup of java at a new automated retail lounge at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com

Travelers now have food options in pre-security area of Syracuse airport (PS; $; Moriarty)

Ever since a $62 million renovation of Syracuse Hancock International Airport’s passenger terminal was completed in 2018, travelers have complained about a lack of food and drink options in its pre-security area.

Not anymore. On Wednesday, the airport revealed an “automated retail lounge,” a fancy term for a collection of high-tech vending machines that can, among other things, serve up homemade cupcakes, mini layer cakes, cookies and brownie bites from local baker Kadesha Carter’s Cupcakes R Me; hot breakfast, lunch and dinner sandwiches and dishes; hot ramen dishes; and subs, salads, and yogurt parfaits.

There’s also a Costa Coffee machine, offering a seemingly endless variety of “barista quality” drink choices in less than 90 seconds.

“What makes them a little bit higher end is the fact that these are not your typical snack and drink machines,” said Jason Mehl, chief commercial officer for the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority.

The machines -- available 24 hours, seven days a week -- are centrally located on the first level of the airport, to the immediate left of the main entrance to the passenger terminal. The facility includes table and counter seating for 26 people.
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City goes to court to try and shut down Alpine strip club (PS; Moss)

The city of Syracuse filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Alpine Bar and Gentlemen’s Club and its owners, seeking to enforce its order shuttering the longtime strip club.

City officials issued an order last month closing the North Side club after claiming it did not comply with a nuisance abatement order, which placed requirements on how and when it could operate.

Gary Salvatore, one of the club’s owners, reopened it last week. He said he did his own research and claimed the city violated state and federal laws.

The city seeks an order from State Supreme Court that the club at 401 Butternut St. be closed and pay a $1,000 fine. City lawyers wrote in court papers that the Alpine remaining open will “continue to create a direct security and safety risk to the surrounding neighborhood by its own conscious disregard for basic decency.”

Salvatore, whose family has owned the Alpine for decades, said Wednesday evening that he intends to fight the lawsuit. The club will continue to remain open, he added.

“I’m coming after them and I’m going to fight,” Salvatore said. “I’m going to win.”

The dispute revolves around what actions Alpine must take after city officials declared two years ago it was a “public nuisance.”

The club received the label in a December 2021 order from Kenton Buckner, the then-chief of the Syracuse police. He cited a series of arrests for harassment, assault and weapons charges.

After a hearing, Buckner issued a nuisance abatement order in April 2022. It outlined various steps the club needed to take to get back into compliance with the city.
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