sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Opposite Day!
It is unknown when National Opposite Day started, or who started it. Some say it stems from a playground game where children trick each other with funny questions and opposite answers. There are some references to it having its roots in a statement President Calvin Coolidge made when he decided not to run for reelection in 1928, when he simply said, "I do not choose to run for President in 1928." The statement came as a shock to many in the public, which led them to wonder if he was really saying what he meant. Regardless of when or how the day started, today is for doing and saying the opposite of what is usually done, or saying the opposite of what is meant.
SU News
Inside Syracuse basketball: Jim Boeheim and Dave Bing unite to share old stories before a new honor
Dave Bing and Jim Boeheim, two Syracuse legends and former teammates, share stories of their years at SU and also talk about the university’s plans to honor ...
youtu.be
Inside Syracuse basketball: Boeheim, Bing unite to share old stories before a new honor (PS; podcast; Waters)
Dave Bing and Jim Boeheim will be forever linked in Syracuse basketball history.
The most successful coach in Syracuse history and, arguably, the greatest basketball player in school history as well.
Both men will be honored by the university at two different SU men’s basketball games this season. Bing will be officially inducted into the school’s Ring of Honor on Saturday, when Syracuse hosts N.C. State at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Boeheim, who retired after last season, will be recognized at Syracuse’s game against Notre Dame on Feb. 24. His teams won 1,116 games in his 47-year tenure. He guided Syracuse to five Final Fours, including the 2003 NCAA championship.
Bing scored 1,883 points in his three-year varsity career. He left school as Syracuse’s all-time leading scorer; held that mark until Sherman Douglas surpassed it in 1989 and still ranks 9th on SU’s career scoring list. He averaged 28.4 points as senior, setting a season scoring record that still stands.
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Quadir Copeland broke out, but he's stayed true to his game (DO; Schiff)
Quadir Copeland momentarily disappeared under a sea of frenzy before he locked eyes with his older brother Daiquan. A lone hand shot up among the clamoring fans, directed at Daiquan, but the deafening noise rendered any attempted speech between the two incoherent.
After a few steps forward, though, Daiquan could make out Copeland’s animated mouthing — “I told them. I told them,” Daiquan deduced.
Then, a sudden wave of emotion because all of Daiquan’s inklings about the younger one came to fruition. Swirling pessimism and doubt around the lack of reliability in Copeland’s flashy play no longer stood on stable ground. Because he produced when it mattered with his buzzer-beating game-winner.
He did tell them.
“I’m still playing it back. It still feels like a fairytale story,” Daiquan said. “For him to be the one to hit that shot, it was just amazing.”
Honing his skills at Kingsessing Park in southwest Philadelphia, Copeland’s initial — and only — role was to pass to Daiquan. Then, as a pre-teen, a flashy game culminated in wins. Everyone wanted to play with him. Pinpoint bounce-lobs, tomahawk jams and graceful finger-rolls propelled him throughout his high school years to Syracuse, where he’s now in his sophomore year.
Consistent scoring has since joined his offensive arsenal, spearheading a leap of over 6.5 points per game since last season. He notched a career-high 22 in Syracuse’s 81-73 win over Pittsburgh on Dec. 30, helping him earn an Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week award. Then, he knocked down that buzzer-beating 3 to defeat Miami 72-69 Saturday.
“I can only see him getting better, more comfortable,” said Antron, Copeland’s father. “You’re only going to see better things from Quadir.”
Whatever Copeland does, it has to be entertaining. He’s a showman and has the personality to go with it. A motormouth, equipped with a contagious grin. The undisputed glue of the team. No one really knows where the loud identity of his play stemmed from, but the consensus is that he was born with it.
The move he crafted down the stretch of Syracuse’s victory over Pittsburgh looked impossible to replicate. A makeshift pirouette off of his backfoot shook a lone Panther defender and resulted in an uncontested 360-degree layup.
Copeland practices those types of finishes regularly, explaining he works on the unorthodox by himself or with team managers. Occasionally, Copeland irks head coach Adrian Autry during warmups. While everyone else attempts mid-range jumpshots and 3-pointers to warm up, Copeland shoots floaters over the backboard.
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Brown fell one point shy of a feat no SU player has achieved in 30 years (Mike’s Mailbox) (PS; $; Waters)
The questions for this week’s Mailbox had us diving into the record books for a variety of topics from statistical oddities to memorable court-stormings.
The answer to one question revealed that Syracuse forward/center Maliq Brown nearly achieved something in a recent game that no Syracuse player had done in over 30 years. And the player that previously did do it is one of the school’s all-time greats.
With no further ado, let’s get to those questions. And remember, if you have a question for Mike’s Mailbox, email it to mwaters@syracuse.com.
Q: In Syracuse’s game against Boston College, Maliq Brown was a free throw shy of leading the team (including ties) in every major statistical category. Points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. When was the last time an SU player accomplished this?
Chris B.
Mike: Maliq Brown definitely put on a show in Syracuse’s 69-59 win over Boston College at the JMA Wireless Dome on Jan. 10. The 6-foot-8 sophomore led the Orange in rebounds (8), assists (4), steals (4) and blocked shots (4). He also scored 19 points, but Chris Bell led the team with 20.
Had Brown scored one more point, he would have become the first Syracuse player in over 30 years to lead the Orange in all five major statistical categories in one game.
In going through several seasons of box scores, I found several players who had come almost as close as Brown to achieving the 5 category sweep. Among them were Jesse Edwards, Cole Swider, Rick Jackson, Paul Harris, Donte Greene, Carmelo Anthony, Hakim Warrick and more.
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30 Minutes in Orange Nation (ESPN; radio; Orange Nation)
Steve and Paulie start the show recapping Syracuse men's basketball's loss to FSU, reacting to some postgame sound from Coach Autry, and sharing their thoughts on what it all means for the Orange. Then, professional wrestler Mike Skyros joins the guys in-studio to teach Steve how to put Paulie in the Sharpshooter submission hold and preview Wildcat WrestleCuse on February 3rd.
Syracuse men’s basketball ran out of gas in 85-69 defeat against Flordia State Tuesday (waer.org; Gotkin)
All season, Syracuse men’s basketball (13-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) has been successful because of its fast-paced, high-flying style of play. Against quad-one opponents, the Orange had been exposed. Turnovers played a big factor in all of SU’s losses. The fast play was successful against similar-level and inferior opponents until last night. Florida State (12-7, 6-2 ACC) forced 16 turnovers en route to a 85-69 win.
For the first time this season against a non-quad-one team, the Orange ran out of energy in the second half. After leading by one at halftime, the ‘Cuse were outscored by 17 in the final 20 minutes.
Orange head coach Adrian Autry was honest postgame about where his team fell short, “I thought they wore us down. Once the game got a little bit ahead, we kind of just ran out of gas.”
The biggest difference between the two halves was SU’s struggles shooting the ball. The Orange shot 48% from the field in the first half and just 40% in the second. For the first time since 2018, Syracuse made just one three-pointer in a game.
Syracuse point guard Judah Mintz was a bright spot scoring with 28 points but outside of him, the team couldn’t figure it out. The sophomore gave Florida State’s second-half defense a lot of credit, “I think we just kind of got away from it. We started standing around waiting for others instead of moving.”
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https://www.si.com/college/syracuse...ays-worst-offense-all-year-loss-florida-state (SI; Della Penna)
Syracuse (13-6/4-4) dropped their first home game of the campaign Tuesday night against Florida State (12-7/6-2) as shooting woes proved to be the difference in the second half. The Orange led 36-35 in a back-and-forth first half that saw six lead changes and six ties, but the Noles pulled away down the stretch.
Maliq Brown tipped in a missed layup by Judah Mintz with 8:46 remaining in regulation to make it a 59-58 deficit. Following that bucket, FSU went on a 26-11 run to end the game where Cuse only made three field goals. Coach Red Autry felt that as SU started to go cold offensively, that ineffectiveness bled into other aspects of their play.
“We just didn't do a good job offensively…We picked the worst time to make to not make anything. Couldn't make free throws or three-point shots, but the biggest thing is we kind of stopped defending it, and they took advantage of it,” Autry said.
Florida State shot 51 percent (18-31) in the second half, getting easy looks in the paint and converting on their chances from distance (3-6 from three and 11-12 from the line). Coach Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles incorporate a deep 11-man rotation that poised matchup problems late when Cuse appeared to run out of gas.
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Bubble Watch: Limited chances remain for Syracuse basketball (itlh; Mlodzinski)
A back-and-forth game with Florida State turned into a blowout in an instant, sending Syracuse basketball to 13-6 overall and 4-4 in the ACC. Is all hope lost? Certainly not.
The Orange still have a dozen conference games remaining plus the ACC Tournament. But given this year's trends, and a weak ACC, there aren't many more chances for Syracuse to convince the committee of an at-large spot in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Four games stand out to me. At Wake Forest (Feb. 3), vs. Clemson (Feb. 10), vs. North Carolina (Feb. 13), and at Clemson (Mar. 5). Those games are the only Quad 1 chances left, with the home game against Clemson currently listed as Quad 2, but subject to change based on up-to-date NCAA NET rankings.
For an Orange team just 1-5 in Quad 1 games, it's imperative they add two more Q1 wins before Selection Sunday. There are a lot of teams with great wins. College basketball is stacked this year. A good record alone won't secure you a spot in March Madness.
For Syracuse basketball, limited chances remain to pick up marquee wins.
How can Syracuse basketball do this? They have two great chances to get back on track before the Wake Forest game. NC State is a very winnable home game and the Orange already beat Boston College at home, and now get a crack at the Eagles on the road.
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Syracuse Still Needs An Established Second Option (orangefizz.net; Griffin)
Even in a game when Judah Mintz tallies 28 points, having one scorer is not enough. That was on full display in last night’s 85-69 loss to Florida State. Despite his high scoring output, Mintz struggled handling the ball and missed five free throws. There was no one there to pick him up, especially in the second half. Consistent scoring from any given player not named Mintz has been a major problem for Adrian Autry’s bunch this season, and it’s one that needs to be resolved now.
Two players in particular have been tabbed as the number two option at points this season. There have been flashes of brilliance for others, but as has been the predictable case, consistency has not been found.
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When JJ Starling announced his decision to return to Central New York in March, people were marveling about the offensive prowess a backcourt him and Mintz could possess. The Baldwinsville native put that on full display against Miami on Saturday by draining six three-pointers en route to a 22 point day. How does he follow that up? An 0-5 showing from beyond the arc against Florida State. The biggest thing with Starling, and he has said it himself, is confidence. One game he’s oozing with it, the next he has none. It’s easy to root for the hometown kid, but still very frustrating when he doesn’t put it together from game to game.
Chris Bell strung together a series of good games in mid-to-late November against Colgate, Tennessee, and LSU. After the victory against the Tigers, many were wondering if the sophomore was ready to be Mintz’s secondary option. Alas, he was not. In a five game stretch that spanned from early-to-mid December into January, Bell did not reach double figures once while shooting a combined 2-12 from three-point land. Jim Boeheim said last year Bell had the potential to be a really great three-point shooter, and he has flashed it. Just not enough.
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A rare home loss for Syracuse (spotify.com; podcast; Juice on the Cuse)
Syracuse faded in the second half in a loss to Florida State on Tuesday, their first loss at the JMA Wireless Dome. Hosts Wes Cheng and Matt Dagostino break down the game, and also speak with 2025 offensive lineman Byron Washington from Texas, who received an offer from the Orange in December.
Syracuse men’s basketball: 2024 commit Donnie Freeman named to McDonald’s All-American Game (TNIAAM; Wall)
The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball program currently has one McDonald’s All-American on their roster in JJ Starling, but next season the Orange will add another.
Forward Donnie Freeman of IMG Academy was named to the 2024 McDonald’s All-American squad yesterday. He’s the first Syracuse commit to be selected to the game since Darius Bazley in 2018. Prior to Bazley, Malachi Richardson in 2015 was the most recent Syracuse recruit to be selected. Freeman will suit up for the West squad in the game, which is scheduled for April 2nd in Houston.
Prior to this announcement, Freeman had moved up in Class of 2024 rankings. 247 Sports has him now at 21st in the class, up from 28th. ESPN has Freeman up to 19th and Paul Biancardi had this to say about his improvements:
I understand fans who have questions about Adrian Autry in his 1st year, but his 1st commit after becoming Head Coach should make people feel better about his ability to land talent.
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Episode 468- Syracuse Basketball: Florida State Postgame/NC State Preview! (youtube; podcast; Cuse Militia)
What's up Cuse Nation?!?! Syracuse gets dropped by FSU 85-69 at home. That'll be a quad three loss. You'll hear from us and we'll hear from you in Fan Feedback! And NC State will travel to the dome this Saturday at 7pm to take on the Orange. We'll give you a quick Preview for that!
Carl Vernick played on the Syracuse University basketball team from 1961 to 1964. He led the team in scoring as a sophomore and junior. Syracuse Post-Standard archives Syracuse Post-Standard archives
Carl Vernick, Syracuse basketball teammate of Dave Bing and Jim Boeheim, dies at age 80 (PS; $; Waters)
Carl Vernick, who played basketball at Syracuse University from 1961 to 1964, passed away earlier this month. He was 80 years old.
Vernick’s career spanned a time that saw Syracuse go from one of the nation’s lowliest programs to a team that earned a bid to the National Invitation Tournament. Vernick led Syracuse in scoring in his sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior, he become a role player on a team that featured junior center Chuck Richards plus sophomores Dave Bing, Jim Boeheim and others.
“He was a very good basketball player,’' former SU player Rex Trobridge said of Vernick. “To look at him, you wouldn’t have said this is an outstanding athlete, but he was a smart player. He didn’t make it on athleticism. He knew and understood the game.’’
Vernick died on January 5, according to Gutterman’s Funeral Home of Boynton Beach, Fla.
A 6-foot-2 guard from Philadelphia, Pa., Vernick started all but two games in his sophomore and junior seasons. As a sophomore, Vernick averaged 16.5 points and 5.4 rebounds. He posted 11.1 points per game as a junior, which still led the team.
Those teams struggled to records of 2-22 and 8-13.
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MBB: Results 2024 Jan 23 (RX; HM)
MBB: Results 2024 Jan 23
ACC Scores for Tuesday
Boston College 71
Virginia Tech 76 W
Prior to this, VT Coach Mike Young was 0-5 against the Eagles. When the Hokies were leading by 11 at halftime, I was feeling good. When the Eagles came back in the 2nd half to pull within two - not once, but twice! - I was ready to fire the coach! But in the end, Coach Young got the "W" and coached the Hokies back to .500 in ACC play (4-4, 12-7 overall) and working their way onto the NCAA bubble.
Pittsburgh 72 W
Georgia Tech 64
Pitt looks like another up-and-coming ACC basketball team.
Florida St 85 W
Syracuse 69
#12 Duke 83 W
Louisville 69
First, the Orange let FSU come into their house and beat them by 16? That worse than Duke beat hapless Louisville (by 14)! What's up, 'Cuse?
Other
Marcia Bower, an amateur photographer from Syracuse, captured this picture of a bald eagle roosting on the shore of Onondaga Lake yesterday morning.Marcia Bower
Bald eagles abound (again) on Onondaga Lake, sign up now for guided bird walk (PS; Featherstone)
In what has become one of the more delightful, and dramatic, seasonal events in Syracuse, bald eagles are once again returning to Onondaga Lake as winter tightens its grip on Central New York.
“We have maybe a dozen bald eagles that stay year around,” says Marcia Bower, an amateur photographer from Syracuse. “But it really just started picking up since the cold temps began.”
Bower, who visits the lake almost daily, recently counted around 20 bald eagles, but she expects more to arrive as upstate lakes and ponds begin to ice over, limiting the birds’ food sources.
In recent years, observers have counted as many as 103 eagles roosting in trees on the south shore of the lake, where the birds feast on gizzard shad in the open water near the Metro sewage treatment plant. The plant is located on the west side of Onondaga Creek adjacent to Destiny mall.
Onondaga Lake is the largest wintering roost for bald eagles in New York State, according to the Montezuma Audubon Center. You’d have to go to Alaska to see so many bald eagles gathered in one place.
You can see bald eagles from almost any trail around the lake, but the best spot is off the end of the Onondaga Creekwalk trail, accessible via a parking area off Harborside Drive.
Bird walk
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is hosting a half-mile guided walk along the Creekwalk trail on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. (the 10 a.m. walk is sold out). Fee is $10, registration required.
The trail to the viewing area is flat and paved, but it can get icy. Participants should dress warm and wear hiking shoes or snow boots. Binoculars, spotting scopes, and field guides will be provided.
Experts from Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon will be on hand to discuss the importance of Onondaga Lake as an Audubon Important Bird Area, providing habitat, food and water sources that many bird species depend upon for survival during the cold winter months.
Click here to register, call 315.365.3588, or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions.
Visit Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps to learn more or to participate in future activities.
Courtesy of Onondaga Historical Association
‘Hotel Syracuse’ celebrates 100 years in 2024 with new exhibit (localsyr.com; Hatch)
One of the oldest hotels in Syracuse has officially turned a century old in 2024, and in honor of the buildings centenarian status, a new exhibit has opened.
Marriott Syracuse Downtown — formally known as Hotel Syracuse — has partnered with the Onondaga Historial Association (OHA) on its 100 year anniversary to present a new exhibit open all year called “Stalwart in Structure, Beautiful in Design.”
“Hotel Syracuse” first kicked things off this year with a 1920’s themed New Year’s party, throwing it back to 1924, when the hotel opened. Now, those who want to explore the century year old hotel and its history can visit the new exhibit.
“The hotel opened in 1924 with the support of the Syracuse community. Hotel Syracuse was the place to be. Celebrities and politicians such as Jackie Coogan from the 1960s The Addams Family and John . Kennedy, respectively, checked into the hotel. The hotel’s design and services often changed with the times,” stated OHA.
To see the exhibit, guests can go to the Marriott Syracuse Downtown (formerly Hotel Syracuse) and take the elevator to the mezzanine.
The exhibit is free for the public to enjoy and will remain on display until December 2024.
