Is there anything to be done that will make this team worth watching the rest of the season?

[RedtheGOB]

Autrys is cooked in my opinion but I also need to have a reason to watch Hoops this Winter.

Just some thoughts but what do others think.

-Can we get even more out of Kyle? He’s proven to be the best player on the court even against elite competition. He also just doesn’t foul. The coaches and guards are inept but is there a simpler way to just get him the ball. He’s just the best player we’ve seen in an Orange jersey at the 5 in years, 1st team ACC caliber player. Put the team in his hands, he’s a Senior and the toughest strongest player on the team.

-When (if) Freeman comes back can we find a way to limit the damage our Guards are doing to us? Can we go bigger/stronger with Kyle/Freeman/Sadiq/Kingz and whichever Guard is playing best?

-Can they hire an assistant to only coach free throws and sit on the bench with the players and help them real time in games before and after shots. I don’t know if it will do anything but at least as fans we see something happening. It’s a slap in the face to all of us if someone doesn’t step in and do something about being worst in the league.

 

[OttosShoes]

Look at the Tennessee game. There’s no reason that can’t happen again.

 

[OHIORANGES]

Yes, there certainly is, but unfortunately it won’t happen until after the season

 

[Scooch]

The biggest flaw right now, for a team that has a LOT of flaws, is their hideous 3 point shooting. SU is now ranked 304th in 3pt FG %. We've made 68 threes, ranking 292nd.

For this team to be worth watching, and have even the most remote chance of making the tourney, they need to start nailing threes immediately.

We know they're going to suuuuuuck all season at free throws. There's no fixing that. But we have a team full of guys completely underperforming from 3.

 

[Blanko97]

The biggest flaw right now, for a team that has a LOT of flaws, is their hideous 3 point shooting. SU is now ranked 304th in 3pt FG %. We've made 68 threes, ranking 292nd.

For this team to be worth watching, and have even the most remote chance of making the tourney, they need to start nailing threes immediately.

We know they're going to suuuuuuck all season at free throws. There's no fixing that. But we have a team full of guys completely underperforming from 3.

Ruined the PG, ruined everyone’s 3 pt shooting and FTs, who ever is coaching the guards needs to be removed asap. And yes I know it’s probably red

 

[Charbroil]

If you need a reason to watch hoops this winter I’d catch more of other teams playing. Theres been a lot of lamenting about the decline of college basketball in recent years (much of it well deserved). But I think this has been one of the better starts to a college basketball season in recent memory.

Last year there was 1 freshman phenom. This year it feels like there’s 10. There are 7 or 8 teams with elite talent that could make a realistic case for being best in the country. And there’s a handful of upstart programs who are putting together awesome years (like Nebraska or Vanderbilt).

There’s a lot of good college basketball happening right now. Unfortunately none of it involves Syracuse.

 

[sufan59]

The biggest flaw right now, for a team that has a LOT of flaws, is their hideous 3 point shooting. SU is now ranked 304th in 3pt FG %. We've made 68 threes, ranking 292nd.

For this team to be worth watching, and have even the most remote chance of making the tourney, they need to start nailing threes immediately.

We know they're going to suuuuuuck all season at free throws. There's no fixing that. But we have a team full of guys completely underperforming from 3.

Yeah when you have zero off ball movement and no off ball screens. Your going to have horrible offense.

 

[Newhouser]

The biggest flaw right now, for a team that has a LOT of flaws, is their hideous 3 point shooting. SU is now ranked 304th in 3pt FG %. We've made 68 threes, ranking 292nd.

For this team to be worth watching, and have even the most remote chance of making the tourney, they need to start nailing threes immediately.

We know they're going to suuuuuuck all season at free throws. There's no fixing that. But we have a team full of guys completely underperforming from 3.

We need more movement on offense. We have no creators. PnR with Kyle as the pick man is not going to work.

 

[Scooch]

Ruined the PG, ruined everyone’s 3 pt shooting and FTs, who ever is coaching the guards needs to be removed asap. And yes I know it’s probably red

I honestly don't know how a coach can ruin a player's ability to make 3s and shoot FTs. I'd love to hear from someone who attends practice to explain what this team does every day. I have a hunch that Red's practices lack focus, structure, urgency and energy. But I'm merely guessing.

A friend of mine attended a St. John's practice earlier this season. He said Pitino was on a headset with his voice booming through the PA system, barking at players constantly. Something tells me that kind of attention to detail is lacking at SU.

 

[Blanko97]

I honestly don't know how a coach can ruin a player's ability to make 3s and shoot FTs. I'd love to hear from someone who attends practice to explain what this team does every day. I have a hunch that Red's practices lack focus, structure, urgency and energy. But I'm merely guessing.

A friend of mine attended a St. John's practice earlier this season. He said Pitino was on a headset with his voice booming through the PA system, barking at players constantly. Something tells me that kind of attention to detail is lacking at SU.

Idk, I’ve seen enough videos of coaches trying to help with FT form over the years to know that they try to tweak guys to “improve them” but considering what happened to Taylor, JJ, Bell, Kingz, etc. I don’t believe for a second that they aren’t doing something wrong

 

[sufan59]

If you need a reason to watch hoops this winter I’d catch more of other teams playing. Theres been a lot of lamenting about the decline of college basketball in recent years (much of it well deserved). But I think this has been one of the better starts to a college basketball season in recent memory.

Last year there was 1 freshman phenom. This year it feels like there’s 10. There are 7 or 8 teams with elite talent that could make a realistic case for being best in the country. And there’s a handful of upstart programs who are putting together awesome years (like Nebraska or Vanderbilt).

There’s a lot of good college basketball happening right now. Unfortunately none of it involves Syracuse.

I hate to admit this and come at me with the dislikes, I actually like watching UConn basketball. There talent level is slightly better, but not significantly better than ours. But they are significantly better at development, running offense, and to use terms from Red, they play with level 5 all the time and have no dips. Maybe that’s why I’m so hard on Red because I watch them and wonder why we can’t get the best out of the talent we have every night when they do.

 

[Scooch]

Idk, I’ve seen enough videos of coaches trying to help with FT form over the years to know that they try to tweak guys to “improve them” but considering what happened to Taylor, JJ, Bell, Kingz, etc. I don’t believe for a second that they aren’t doing something wrong

For sure. I'm dumbfounded that this staff has allowed Kyle and Starling to shoot free throws with the horrific form they have. I've said it before, but the first time Kyle was in the gym this summer, and a staff member saw his shooting form, there should have been the sound of needle being dragged across a record and said coach bellowing "STOP! YOU"RE NEVER %^##! SHOOTING LIKE THAT AGAIN!".

 

[RedtheGOB]

I honestly don't know how a coach can ruin a player's ability to make 3s and shoot FTs. I'd love to hear from someone who attends practice to explain what this team does every day. I have a hunch that Red's practices lack focus, structure, urgency and energy. But I'm merely guessing.

A friend of mine attended a St. John's practice earlier this season. He said Pitino was on a headset with his voice booming through the PA system, barking at players constantly. Something tells me that kind of attention to detail is lacking at SU.

Yea when I made the post I purposefully left out the parts on coaching offense and what to do in practice with the current staff. I just don’t see that as fixable mid season with Autry.

I thought it was more likely even a slight improvement in free throw shooting could make a bigger impact overall.

Lineup shakeups too. The guard play just has been brutal to watch so in my head I’m just like out fewer guards out there ha.

 

[elimunelson]

I hate to admit this and come at me with the dislikes, I actually like watching UConn basketball. There talent level is slightly better, but not significantly better than ours. But they are significantly better at development, running offense, and to use terms from Red, they play with level 5 all the time and have no dips. Maybe that’s why I’m so hard on Red because I watch them and wonder why we can’t get the best out of the talent we have every night when they do.

Comparing Hurley to Red is like comparing Stephen Hawking to Stephen Baldwin.

We are not coaching. It’s obvious. Need a guy who can instill an offense

 

[Scooch]

I hate to admit this and come at me with the dislikes, I actually like watching UConn basketball. There talent level is slightly better, but not significantly better than ours. But they are significantly better at development, running offense, and to use terms from Red, they play with level 5 all the time and have no dips. Maybe that’s why I’m so hard on Red because I watch them and wonder why we can’t get the best out of the talent we have every night when they do.

Even when we've won, SU basketball has been a terrible watch for many, many years now. Flip between any top 25 college hoops game and ours and it's like a different game is being played.

If someone enjoys basketball I sue won't criticize them for watching UConn. I can't imagine anyone would want to watch SU games unless they're diehards like us. It has been a terrible product.

 

[phil77]

I honestly don't know how a coach can ruin a player's ability to make 3s and shoot FTs. I'd love to hear from someone who attends practice to explain what this team does every day. I have a hunch that Red's practices lack focus, structure, urgency and energy. But I'm merely guessing.

A friend of mine attended a St. John's practice earlier this season. He said Pitino was on a headset with his voice booming through the PA system, barking at players constantly. Something tells me that kind of attention to detail is lacking at SU.

It comes down to coaching discipline….

FT shooting is paying attention to details at all times. Being 100% focused etc. the FT shooting besides helping fixing form is mostly on the players. I am not at practice so can’t comment on the approach there.

The three point shooting on the other had is discipline our coach install in our players to know what is and isn’t a good shot. Kingz for example early in the year were taking a lot of off dribble threes and threes coming off pin down curls. That isn’t his game and that is coaching problem. Kingz is a spot up catch and shoot three point shooter and if that isn’t there drive to the basket. He started doing those things only the last couple of games and has been magically better from three.

We have no offense so nobody knows when and were they are going to get a shot so a lot of times you see a one pass and then a 32 foot launch of a three pointer. Even if a kid is open that isn’t a good shot and very low percentage. Since we don’t run an actual offensive system players don’t know when and were they will be featured so they rush shots they shouldn’t take because the have no clue when they will see the ball again. (Think Tennessee first half Kingz on fire and second half doesn’t see the ball that is lack of offensive discipline by our lead guards and lack of offensive game plan by our coach)

 

[007]

I hate to admit this and come at me with the dislikes, I actually like watching UConn basketball. There talent level is slightly better, but not significantly better than ours. But they are significantly better at development, running offense, and to use terms from Red, they play with level 5 all the time and have no dips. Maybe that’s why I’m so hard on Red because I watch them and wonder why we can’t get the best out of the talent we have every night when they do.

Uconn has more than "slightly better" talent. But I agree with your point about their offense. The execution of those concepts is textbook good. A large part of that is the maniac running the program who demands that level of focus, execution, and accountability.

 

[sufan59]

Uconn has more than "slightly better" talent. But I agree with your point about their offense. The execution of those concepts is textbook good. A large part of that is the maniac running the program who demands that level of focus, execution, and accountability.

It’s slightly better. They have slightly better talent because they have two starting caliber centers and we have one. Give Hurley the Syracuse roster, we are likely ranked at this point. Probably 9-1 with a loss to Iowa State which we lose by a significantly less margin.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Our three point shooting problem is not our shooters but the inability to quickly get the ball to shooters when open. Several times last night the extra pass was not made when a guy was wide open. We get everything off individual play and little teamwork. A clear example last night was in the first half when White drove wildly to the hoop and threw up a crap shot that he got fouled on. He could have easily just dropped the ball off to Kyle for an uncontested dunk. On the break, watch Anthony. We were on a break and he jogged from half court to the high wing outside the three point. A totally useless place to go. He doesn’t sprint ahead of the ball to be shot ready. Several times last night we had dribble, drive opportunities for easy kick outs to a shooter. We never make the pass. I have no idea what this team is doing in practice but they have no idea how to make a simple pass. The only pass they want to make is a lob or stupid behind the back pass.

 

[sweetpea]

Autrys is cooked in my opinion but I also need to have a reason to watch Hoops this Winter.

Just some thoughts but what do others think.

-Can we get even more out of Kyle? He’s proven to be the best player on the court even against elite competition. He also just doesn’t foul. The coaches and guards are inept but is there a simpler way to just get him the ball. He’s just the best player we’ve seen in an Orange jersey at the 5 in years, 1st team ACC caliber player. Put the team in his hands, he’s a Senior and the toughest strongest player on the team.

-When (if) Freeman comes back can we find a way to limit the damage our Guards are doing to us? Can we go bigger/stronger with Kyle/Freeman/Sadiq/Kingz and whichever Guard is playing best?

-Can they hire an assistant to only coach free throws and sit on the bench with the players and help them real time in games before and after shots. I don’t know if it will do anything but at least as fans we see something happening. It’s a slap in the face to all of us if someone doesn’t step in and do something about being worst in the lea

The biggest flaw right now, for a team that has a LOT of flaws, is their hideous 3 point shooting. SU is now ranked 304th in 3pt FG %. We've made 68 threes, ranking 292nd.

For this team to be worth watching, and have even the most remote chance of making the tourney, they need to start nailing threes immediately.

We know they're going to suuuuuuck all season at free throws. There's no fixing that. But we have a team full of guys completely underperforming from 3.

Isn't it the way it always turns out. Doesn't matter who we bring in. Imagine if Kyle hasn't been the stud that he is.

 

[Charbroil]

I hate to admit this and come at me with the dislikes, I actually like watching UConn basketball. There talent level is slightly better, but not significantly better than ours. But they are significantly better at development, running offense, and to use terms from Red, they play with level 5 all the time and have no dips. Maybe that’s why I’m so hard on Red because I watch them and wonder why we can’t get the best out of the talent we have every night when they do.

Yes. And UConn has been resilient this year too, dealing with a couple different injuries to key pieces. So we barely have even seen them at full strength yet.

That’s a part of the reason I don’t buy the “well Freeman is hurt excuse” that some members of this fanbase are using. There’s a lot of top teams who’ve dealt with injuries (Kansas, Iowa State, UConn, etc).

 

[gward]

Uconn has more than "slightly better" talent. But I agree with your point about their offense. The execution of those concepts is textbook good. A large part of that is the maniac running the program who demands that level of focus, execution, and accountability.

Totally agree. I’ve seen most of UConn’s games—one of my fellow teachers’ grandsons plays on the team (Demary). The ball movement is excellent: purposeful cuts, well-timed screens, and the extra pass that creates quality shots. And you’re right—there isn’t some overwhelming gap in raw talent.
The difference is coaching. Coaching is what takes you to the next level. You can bring level-5 effort, but if your coaching is level-2 or level-3, the ceiling is capped. Red has clearly instilled effort and defensive intensity—but elite teams pair that with elite offensive structure. Without that, you’re not elite, no matter how hard you play. Don’t get me wrong I love the dawg mentality but we need to expand the rubric here for success.

 

[Trueblue25]

Unless they fire him now, there’s zero to be done.

They should have worried about what to do several years ago.

 

[phsyra]

Every team we play this year will "do the little things" better than us like free throws and good footwork because they all have a better coach. So every game we are going to have to win with our athleticism.We see how that went against Hofstra. The ACC will be much harder especially road games. Also, if we continue to lose close games like this (which is guarunteed because we cant shoot free throws) the team may quit and be focused on their next financial negotiation. It was a big mistake to keep Autry for a third year and we are paying the price now. This was predictable...very sad

 

[23Zone]

Our three point shooting problem is not our shooters but the inability to quickly get the ball to shooters when open. Several times last night the extra pass was not made when a guy was wide open. We get everything off individual play and little teamwork. A clear example last night was in the first half when White drove wildly to the hoop and threw up a crap shot that he got fouled on. He could have easily just dropped the ball off to Kyle for an uncontested dunk. On the break, watch Anthony. We were on a break and he jogged from half court to the high wing outside the three point. A totally useless place to go. He doesn’t sprint ahead of the ball to be shot ready. Several times last night we had dribble, drive opportunities for easy kick outs to a shooter. We never make the pass. I have no idea what this team is doing in practice but they have no idea how to make a simple pass. The only pass they want to make is a lob or stupid behind the back pass.

Agree...and I'll just add that a lot of it can be traced back to absolutely atrocious PG play.