Go on record; are we back?

[baggerbob]

Beating Binghamton doesn't mean much, but it sure beats playing a close game or losing!

The challenge for Syracuse making the tournament this year is that it appears the ACC will not be a strong conference this year. Obviously, this can change as OOC games are played, but Syracuse only has 4 games against currently ranked ACC schools. Yes, playing ranked Houston, Kansas, and Tennessee will help Syracuse, but the rest of the OOC schedule is not very good which will hurt strength of schedule.

Ain't going to matter, we are going to get the Automatic Qualifying spot this year, when we demolish North Carolina in the semi, then embarass Duke in the final of the ACC Tournament.

 

[Col. Bleep]

Team is much improved…especially Defense.
And at point
But won’t seriously compete with top 10 opposition.

 

[atlanticuse]

we can't miss - and keep shooting - 3's like we did.

 

[sufan59]

Team is much improved…especially Defense.
And at point
But won’t seriously compete with top 10 opposition.

I have watched a lot of games this week. Nobody I’ve watched so far, I’ve come away feeling like yeah they are certainly a definitive top 10 team. So I’m willing to wait a little more to see if there are teams that separate from the pack. From what I watched so far, there is nothing that causes me concern that there is any reason to put a ceiling on what this team can do this season yet. Still extremely early.

 

[Niastri]

we can't miss - and keep shooting - 3's like we did.

We can't stop shooting threes. That's the equivalent of saying we should stop trying to score. Threes are essential in modem basketball and we need to keep firing them up. It's too soon to worry about a bad day shooting, even when it is disastrous like Binghamton.

They will start to drop if we keep taking good shots.

 

[newmexicuse]

Are we back ? To me that means that we know we will Dance every season and that we will be Top 25 as often as not. So for me, by that definition, we can only be “back” after multiple successful seasons.

 

[powdersmack]

Kyle needs to give someone a facial before we can make that comparison.

 

[atlanticuse]

We can't stop shooting threes. That's the equivalent of saying we should stop trying to score. Threes are essential in modem basketball and we need to keep firing them up. It's too soon to worry about a bad day shooting, even when it is disastrous like Binghamton.

They will start to drop if we keep taking good shots.

But why?
If we're up by 8, 10, 15 - yes, we should stop shooting 3's.

We have the jimmy's and the joe's - but missing 3's and allowing the other teams back in games is a failure of the x's and o's (coaching).

 

[RedtheGOB]

But why?
If we're up by 8, 10, 15 - yes, we should stop shooting 3's.

We have the jimmy's and the joe's - but missing 3's and allowing the other teams back in games is a failure of the x's and o's (coaching).

Rewatch the Binghamton game at the 8 min mark in the 1st. They had just missed a few 3's in a row and Freeman had just taken a bad one. It was 14-4.

Autry told Freeman and George before they inbounded to stop taking them 3's and get in the paint. Next 3 plays were George oop to Kyle, George easy layup, and Freeman dunk + 3 stops on Defense. Was 20-4 60 seconds later.

Yes they can do better and need to shoot better and make better decisions sooner but I was impressed that George/Freeman responded and how they took over. We just haven't had guys that can do that lately.

 

[thecuseman]

Yes... talented, athletic, multi-dimensional and willing to play defense. And we actually have a real PG this time. Plus, high-level prospects are interested in us again.

 

[dollarbill44]

I have to disagree. Some of our zone teams were menacing. If a ball went to the sideline and even better the corner, players were absolutely swallowed up. And, the other players knew how to rotate and get steals off of that.

The 2013 defense was insanely good.

 

[orangefog]

The 2013 defense was insanely good.

For sure. Definitely wasn't a lazy tavern league zone. No offense to Igor. But, Bomani Jones can eat crap.

 

[atlanticuse]

Rewatch the Binghamton game at the 8 min mark in the 1st. They had just missed a few 3's in a row and Freeman had just taken a bad one. It was 14-4.

Autry told Freeman and George before they inbounded to stop taking them 3's and get in the paint. Next 3 plays were George oop to Kyle, George easy layup, and Freeman dunk + 3 stops on Defense. Was 20-4 60 seconds later.

Yes they can do better and need to shoot better and make better decisions sooner but I was impressed that George/Freeman responded and how they took over. We just haven't had guys that can do that lately.

Yes - rewatch the games we pissed away in the second half the past two years.
A 40% Binghamton team ≠ ACC.

 

[FrancoPizza]

this sample size needs to be bigger. All we can definitely say is that there is potential to be better than the last few years.

 

[Doc5120]

Who else here googled "mot" for a little bit?
(Aside from me)
As far as I know, I believe I am now the Minister of Transportation. And I will take that title with pride and try my best to live up to it.
View attachment 256755

Haha - a typo that has now given you a new board title. I'll take it!

 

[Niastri]

Rewatch the Binghamton game at the 8 min mark in the 1st. They had just missed a few 3's in a row and Freeman had just taken a bad one. It was 14-4.

Autry told Freeman and George before they inbounded to stop taking them 3's and get in the paint. Next 3 plays were George oop to Kyle, George easy layup, and Freeman dunk + 3 stops on Defense. Was 20-4 60 seconds later.

Yes they can do better and need to shoot better and make better decisions sooner but I was impressed that George/Freeman responded and how they took over. We just haven't had guys that can do that lately.

I agree, you are characterizing what happened correctly. We stoped taking threes, instead going inside and scored three quick baskets.

If we stop shooting open threes, though, we won't be able to get those inside baskets. Our interior play comes from playing outside in. Most of our baskets inside are cuts from the corners, not guys like Kyle or Freeman hanging around next to the basket waiting to get the ball in the post.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I agree, you are characterizing what halogens correctly. We stored taking threes, instead going inside and scored three quick baskets.

If we stop shooting open threes, though, we won't be able to get those baskets. Our interior play comes from playing outside in. Most of our baskets inside are cuts from the corners, not guys like Kyle or Freeman hanging around next to the basket waiting to get the ball in the post.

For sure but some of the 3’s were bad shot selection shots tho. Donnie had just taken a real bad one, can he make it prob but it’s not ideal. I have no issue with a lot of the 3’s. We had a lot of wide open ones early others not so much.

 

[albanycuse]

Better, more athletic players, but same coaching which was pretty mediocre. I don’t think we have enough talent to make up for the coaching.

 

[Nicknack]

My Vote: I believe we're beyond back. We're ff-n ahead now. Multiple championships in the next 7 years. We will eventually have a meme with Red (after winning a natty) in a car sticking his middle finger out at the haters.


Disclaimer: I started early... am trying to get as numb as possible before 3:30pm Saturday Miami time

 

[Niastri]

For sure but some of the 3’s were bad shot selection shots tho. Donnie had just taken a real bad one, can he make it prob but it’s not ideal. I have no issue with a lot of the 3’s. We had a lot of wide open ones early others not so much.

I think Freeman's early three was the worst, but still a spot you expect him to make at a high percentage. Of the four 3s reserves missed in about two minutes after coming in, all of them were wide open and Betsey wasn't even close. But you would expect them to make a lot of those shots if they are shooting wide open. You don't want to tell them to stop. If a shooter gets an open three, they should shoot, even if it wasn't the plan.

 

[W'boro'Cuse315]

I like the vibe of this team & the program right now. I like Robert Harris, our new Director of S&C. I like that we have a nice 10-11 man rotation with an established two-deep & position/class balance. I like that we have a veteran Canadian PG. I like that his backup is a 6’6” Aussie with a mullet. I like that Kyle III understands & embraces his role. I like Donnie & Sadiq’s chemistry. I like that a kid from Baldwinsville is going to help get us back to the NCAA Tourney as a Senior. I like watching Kiyan develop & am excited to see what him & his family/friends can do to help revitalize our national brand/perception/recruiting. I like post #99 in the Asher Elson recruiting thread & you should too. I like even reading the rumor that Jay-Z was in town during Jordan Smith Jr.’s visit, no matter how unlikely. I like the energy on our bench. I like the Orange Zone scoreboard feature tracking 3 straight stops & making the crowd an integral part of it. I like the students chanting “We want Noah!”. I LOVE our script uniforms. So, yeah, you know what?…..

 

[JKinUtah]

I say we are back in terms of making the tournament. I don't think we are back in terms of being a contender...yet

 

[baggerbob]

I say we are back in terms of making the tournament. I don't think we are back in terms of being a contender...yet

The key to be continually great starts on the defensive end, and it seems Red knows that. He finally in year three has a group that can play it. Can he keep them interested in doing it all year is the question?

 

[JeffCuse]

I take back my comments on Kyle. I still worry about his lack of C height against the best in the ACC, but he is again showing me enough athleticism that I no longer view him as a weakness.

 

[HakAttack]

We’re back if for no other reason than I’m excited to watch Syracuse men’s basketball again.