Is it just me or is it hard for many of us to enjoy the glow of this team's success?

[Syracuse1957]

Because of the distasteful nature of this season's off-court drama?
A shame, really, because this team deserves better...

I've followed SU Bball for 37 years and never have felt such a sense of sorrow that the hard work and terrific performaces taking place on the hardwood are unlikely to get the unsullied respect they deserve...

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

Well, certainly can't tell you and others how to feel, but I think it will end up allowing me to enjoy it more. Outsiders may think that we don't deserve success because of the Fine issues, but whether deserved of not, the players have done a great job so far of focusing and rising above something that they have to deal with, yet never had any responsibility in.

 

[LennX6]

Because of the distasteful nature of this season's off-court drama?
A shame, really, because this team deserves better...

I've followed SU Bball for 37 years and never have felt such a sense of sorrow that the hard work and terrific performaces taking place on the hardwood are unlikely to get the unsullied respect they deserve...

I am used to Syracuse's efforts being sullied. I remember after the NC, I was reading things like "Worst NC team since blah blah blah " and "Only won it because the regional was in Albany". So I come to expect it.
I agree with the above poster that I am enjoying the actual basketball being played MORE this year. I would like to have a NC to rub ESPN's face in it.

 

[SkanSU]

If you can't separate the two it's a shame. The basketball team and their achievments are way above the fray and the crap that is going on. They are playing great (sometimes) basketball and seem to be enjoying it themselves. Enjoy the team and their success ... and put the other crap to the side or in the trash where it belongs. I think this team is great!!

 

[SaintTristan]

The Fine crap is not interfering with my ability to enjoy this team at all. In fact, its making it more enjoyable.

 

[Orangeyes]

I have compartmentalized the two. Sure seeing and hearing negative things about the program you follow is a distraction but it takes nothing away from what these kids are accomplishing on the court.

The Fine Mess hits me in the face everyday when I do the daily articles there is nothing I can do about it.

I'm really enjoying watching players like Dion and Fab take giant steps forward in the maturation process. Both had issues that could have made either give up. Both have put themselves in great physical condition in order to be the best they can be. Both are early in their second season and both give us things we didn't get out of them last year. Dion and Fab have strengthened our defense. Waiters has been explosive on offense and shared the ball, Fab has improved on offense and can soar to the rim on ally oops, something he struggled to do last year..

My advice to you, Syracuse1957 is to enjoy the team on the court and let stuff which may happen in another court settle it self out, there is nothing any of us can do about it.

BTW, love your avatar. I can remember walking through those arches on many a glorious autumn afternoon, sweet memories.

 

[Cuseman78]

Not even slightly. This is a really fun team and I have enjoyed every minute of it to this point

 

[arbitragegls]

...could be sarcastic here but will not be...why would this Fine think sully your enjoyment of the 'Cuse team accomplishments...guess your life must be filled with unhappy moments...1 in 6 kids supposedly abused...doesnt take into consideration the number and % of women abused...life has his tribulations but also its enjoyments...regardless how significant they are...and this 'Cuse team brings enjoyment to most of us...think how much a downer it would be if 'Cuse was 5-5 at this point...rather than saying its the Fine effect...we are applauding a team and coach that are staying focussed...cheer for 'Cuse...and be happy!!!!!

 

[longislandcuse]

I dont think the Fine situation is affecting appreciating our teams success. I think the fact half this board is scared to death/embarassed whenever we become #1 is the reason.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

Because of the distasteful nature of this season's off-court drama?
A shame, really, because this team deserves better...

I've followed SU Bball for 37 years and never have felt such a sense of sorrow that the hard work and terrific performaces taking place on the hardwood are unlikely to get the unsullied respect they deserve...

For me, it makes it harder to enjoy this season

I enjoy this team and I have the "We're #1" foam finger out from storage.

But it is true that almost every media story about us says things like "amid the controversy swirling around the program..."

This team had nothing to do with events from 10 years or more ago. Nor did I. They're playing their hearts out.

Still it's hard not to have the weariness of constant negative media attention impact my enjoyment of the overall season.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Because of the distasteful nature of this season's off-court drama?
A shame, really, because this team deserves better...

I've followed SU Bball for 37 years and never have felt such a sense of sorrow that the hard work and terrific performaces taking place on the hardwood are unlikely to get the unsullied respect they deserve...

Not me. I'm not as excited as others because I'm not convinced (yet) that we are that good. We have no shooters. As to the BF issue, it is just that. As far as I know, the only way these kids came to be ball boys was through their prior relationship with BF. He wasn't picking his victims from the stable of SU ball boys. Best case scenario is the Feds find nothing and say that the tape is doctored and there were threats to expose Bernie as gay unless he paid up. Then BF, SU and JB are the victims.

 

[orangehomer]

i think it's pretty east to seperate the two, because it has nothing to do with any of the players on this team. it was all about bernie and he is gone. get behind this group of players and have fun with it.

 

[orangefan13]

It feels that way becuase,
The rest of the United States doesn't realize how important syracuse basketball is.

Despite earning it and winning,
we have to win title after title after title. Not just this universe but other ones depend on it. Its not a egotistical thing its just that important.
Us winning creates balence in the universe.
couchburnSUball

 

[OrlandoCuse]

I think some fans are fearful of being #1. We haven't been #1 too often in the past 25 years, and when we finally achieve that ranking we've been known to lose it rather quickly.

I can remember getting to #1 in the late 80's/early 90's and then losing at home to Villanova the week later.

Of course, we remember getting to #1 two years ago, then losing to Louisville the week later.

Maybe fans feel we're a bit cursed at #1, so they don't want it.

 

[baggerbob]

This team is fun to watch because the youngsters are starting to get it. We should all just sit back and enjoy the ride. For perspective 1960-1961 lost last 5 games of the season and started 1961-1962 losing first 22 games now that was not enjoyable, i was in high school and didn't think we would ever win again. Fortunately for all of us it wasn't long after that that a player from Washington DC and a walkon from Lyons NY came to syracuse and the rest is history.

 

[LennX6]

I think some fans are fearful of being #1. We haven't been #1 too often in the past 25 years, and when we finally achieve that ranking we've been known to lose it rather quickly.

My experience I can apply to this would be 1979-80. We started 13-0 ish with a nationally televised win AT Purdue. We got up to #2. DePaul was #1 then I think.
Then THUD . A shot at the buzzer at Old Dominion and Mark West was the first loss. That felt utterly horrible. Worst feeling SU loss I ever felt to that point. Then late, the "Manley is officially closed game" That felt like someone died. Thank God the following Saturday Hal Cohen to Louie Orr bailed us out at St. John's. Everything was getting better to the NCAA, then Iowa at the Spectrum. Blah.
Those 3 losses were the worst feeling losses in my SU fandom. (#4 is the Stewart Granger tip in the '82 BE Tourn)
Notice I left off Keith Smart ? I am in the minority in feeling little shame in losing the NT by 1 pt. Of course there is some revisionism there :- /

 

[orangecuse]

Well, considering it's only December and that this is the first true road game of the year...a bit premature to get too caught up with measuring success here. Certainly, it's great being #1, for all the obvious reasons, but there's still a ton of the season to go...don't forget what JB said a couple of season's ago relative to premature anything is usually not good a thing...

 

[LennX6]

Well, considering it's only December and that this is the first true road game of the year...a bit premature to get too caught up with measuring success here. Certainly, it's great being #1, for all the obvious reasons, but there's still a ton of the season to go...don't forget what JB said a couple of season's ago relative to premature anything is usually not good a thing...

But the thing that's in a SU fan's DNA is to look at the schedule as (35) 1 game seasons.

 

[Dcuse]

Because of the distasteful nature of this season's off-court drama?
A shame, really, because this team deserves better...

I've followed SU Bball for 37 years and never have felt such a sense of sorrow that the hard work and terrific performaces taking place on the hardwood are unlikely to get the unsullied respect they deserve...

It's just you and a few others who are always looking for a dark cloud on a sunny day.
My hope when I am gone from this life is that I've been good enough to get to a place where I can still see Cuse basketball forever.

 

[All4SU]

Compartmentalize. One has very little to do with the other.

 

[CorduroyG]

It could actually benefit the team if they develop an "us against the world" mentality. Or a "nobody believed in us" mentality. S.hit like that matters, brings teams closer together, hopefully thats the case with us.

 

[All4SU]

It could actually benefit the team if they develop an "us against the world" mentality. Or a "nobody believed in us" mentality. S.hit like that matters, brings teams closer together, hopefully thats the case with us.

I can hear the players now...
"After the Bernie Fine thing, we really had our backs to the wall."