Flacusian
All Conference
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 3,511
- Like
- 7,688
It's occurred to me that throughout this turbulent season, and as is often the case, Coach is oftentimes the target of criticism and ridicule on many fronts. Now, today, as we find ourselves with the "Golden" (pun) opportunity to return to the final 4 for the first time in a decade, Coach deserves a shout out for having done an incredible job with this group especially in light of myriad distractions that the program is subjected to with increasing frequency each year.
As an avid Syracuse fan you know what you are going to get with Jimmy B. Part curmudgeon, seemingly inflexible, often times combative, but absolutely committed to the City of Syracuse, The University, The Program, an perhaps most importantly, his players.
At the onset of the season many here were quick to point out some of the deficiencies which would be difficult for the team this season. Face it, we have been spoiled with the recent teams which have taken to the court for us in the past several seasons. In addition to that, the off the court episodes with MCW, James, the Investigation, the hangover from the Fine scandal, have presented what could have been major distractions to the team. Coach dealt with all of it and has managed to field a team that we should all be immensely proud of.
His engineering of the particular zone that humiliated the team which was picked by many to be the best in the Nation for a large portion of the year was nothing short of sensational. I know, regardless of the final outcome of this tournament, that game will be one that I will forever remember. The astonished looks on the faces of the storied Indiana Basketball teams faces and the primordial screams and facial expressions of Brandon and Baye were priceless.
You look at programs like UCLA, having problems with determining who is going to take the helm of the program and bring it back to a level that frankly, is likely unattainable. We don't have that problem here at Syracuse. Each season we know what to expect. It's been like that for over 30 years now. And we also know that there are distinctions about our program which make it unique and envied by many. Most all of that is because of one thing and one thing only. The fact that Jim Boeheim has been the one calling the shots for Syracuse. Sometimes I'm frustrated and confused with the way he does some things and the decisions he makes. But... you can't argue with success and that's exactly what Coach brings to this program. We're certainly closer to the end of the Boeheim era than the beginning and I know that I for one won't have to wait for him to do so to appreciate the fact that he is the core, the heart, the face of Syracuse Basketball and I'm grateful for it.
As an avid Syracuse fan you know what you are going to get with Jimmy B. Part curmudgeon, seemingly inflexible, often times combative, but absolutely committed to the City of Syracuse, The University, The Program, an perhaps most importantly, his players.
At the onset of the season many here were quick to point out some of the deficiencies which would be difficult for the team this season. Face it, we have been spoiled with the recent teams which have taken to the court for us in the past several seasons. In addition to that, the off the court episodes with MCW, James, the Investigation, the hangover from the Fine scandal, have presented what could have been major distractions to the team. Coach dealt with all of it and has managed to field a team that we should all be immensely proud of.
His engineering of the particular zone that humiliated the team which was picked by many to be the best in the Nation for a large portion of the year was nothing short of sensational. I know, regardless of the final outcome of this tournament, that game will be one that I will forever remember. The astonished looks on the faces of the storied Indiana Basketball teams faces and the primordial screams and facial expressions of Brandon and Baye were priceless.
You look at programs like UCLA, having problems with determining who is going to take the helm of the program and bring it back to a level that frankly, is likely unattainable. We don't have that problem here at Syracuse. Each season we know what to expect. It's been like that for over 30 years now. And we also know that there are distinctions about our program which make it unique and envied by many. Most all of that is because of one thing and one thing only. The fact that Jim Boeheim has been the one calling the shots for Syracuse. Sometimes I'm frustrated and confused with the way he does some things and the decisions he makes. But... you can't argue with success and that's exactly what Coach brings to this program. We're certainly closer to the end of the Boeheim era than the beginning and I know that I for one won't have to wait for him to do so to appreciate the fact that he is the core, the heart, the face of Syracuse Basketball and I'm grateful for it.
