JUDAH'S BACK

[SWC75]

Judah's back and also his arms and his legs! But I love his head the most. He realized he'd be better off maximizing his skills before asking to be judged by the NBA, or he could get lost in the waves of talent that enter pro ball every year.

As for SU, the dream of starting four guys who, as recruits were rated in the top 50 means that the raw talent level of this team is the best it's been since we were a Top 5 program a decade ago.

The thing is, that might not even be our best line-up. Judah had started to hit from outside last year but was 30% for the year. So was JJ Starling. Chance Westry has the size to play the '3' but was 0 for 14 from three. Benny Williams was a laudable 39.6% on just 48 attempts in 30 games. In this line-up he'd be the power forward and Red will want him playing closer to the basket. A team's power forward is rarely their #1 outside shooter. And he did this as a fourth option. We're looking for someone who warranted special defensive attention and could pull the defense away from the basket so that all these guys who can score off the dribble can have room to maneuver. For that reason, Chris Bell and Justin Taylor have to be our 3's and we have to go with the hot hand there, unless Judah, JJ or Chance develop into credible outside threats.

I think the real loser is Quadir Copeland, whose combination of amazing passing skills but a poor outside shot is poorly served at the '3'. He was brought here to be a point guard and he might have been one - maybe our best one - without Mintz. He can help us if we are playing pressure defense but he's not going to get a chance to do much else.

 

[orangefog]

Judah's back and also his arms and his legs! But I love his head the most. He realized he'd be better off maximizing his skills before asking to be judged by the NBA, or he could get lost in the waves of talent that enter pro ball every year.

As for SU, the dream of starting four guys who, as recruits were rated in the top 50 means that the raw talent level of this team is the best it's been since we were a Top 5 program a decade ago.

The thing is, that might not even be our best line-up. Judah had started to hit from outside last year but was 30% for the year. So was JJ Starling. Chance Westry has the size to play the '3' but was 0 for 14 from three. Benny Williams was a laudable 39.6% on just 48 attempts in 30 games. IN this line-up he'd be the power forward and Red will want him playing closer to the basket. A team's power forward is rarely their #1 outside shooter. And he did this as a fourth option. We're looking for someone who warranted special defensive attention and could pull the defense away from the basket so that all these guys who can score off the dribble can have room to maneuver. For that reason, Chris Bell and Justin Taylor have to be our 3's and we have to go with the hot hand there, unless Judah, JJ or Chance develop into credible outside threats.

I think the real loser is Quadir Copeland, whose combination of amazing passing skills but a poor outside shot is poorly served at the '3'. He was brought here to be a point guard and he might have been one - maybe our best one - without Mintz. He can help us if we are playing pressure defense but he's not going to get a chance to do much else.

That's what she said.

 

[albanycuse]

The days of unathleticism at key positions is gone. What the hell were we watching on the court the last 10 years lol.

 

[SUFan44]

The days of unathleticism at key positions is gone. What the hell were we watching on the court the last 10 years lol.

I still think we might be missing athleticism at the position, but with Freeman in the fold I think that's going to change soon enough.

 

[Niastri]

I think Benny is a bit of an X-factor

If we get Benny Williams shooting 40% from three on about 8 attempts per game, he will be a huge asset even if he's the same guy in every other way.

I'm hopeful we also get the guy who can rebound with Duke, block shots, get steals, and even drive if they put a slow guy on him.

He's done all of these things, but without consistency. This year, he puts it together.

 

[Niastri]

That is the most intriguing lineup to me.

Don't sleep on the Highlander...

 

[shandeezy7]

If we get Benny Williams shooting 40% from three on about 8 attempts per game, he will be a huge asset even if he's the same guy in every other way.

I'm hopeful we also get the guy who can rebound with Duke, block shots, get steals, and even drive if they put a slow guy on him.

He's done all of these things, but without consistency. This year, he puts it together.

No offense, but I do not want Benny averaging 8 three point attempts per game under any circumstances. And there's no chance he shoots 40% at that volume. Girard never even averaged 8 three point attempts. I think the only guys in recent memory that have were Buddy and Andrew White.

 

[dasher]

He will probably grad transfer to Michigan, and take Caleb Love’s spot.

Big get for the Wolverines…

Oh yeah. Super excited to see Judah back. Props to everyone for making it happen.

That was a fantastic video.

No worry there. He doesn't have the grades to get in to Mich. I'm not sure he has the grades to get in to Western Mich.

 

[721Comstock]

No offense, but I do not want Benny averaging 8 three point attempts per game under any circumstances. And there's no chance he shoots 40% at that volume. Girard never even averaged 8 three point attempts. I think the only guys in recent memory that have were Buddy and Andrew White.

Yeah, Benny going an average of 2/5 from 3 in a typical game is more what we’d like to see from him.

Last year he was kinda like CJ Fair that one season, where he didn’t shoot a ton of 3’s, but made nearly half of them.
That was his Jr year, btw
30/64 = ~47%.

C.J. Fair

Syracuse University basketball profile for C.J. Fair, player for the Orange from 2011-2014.

www.orangehoops.org

We don’t want him just camping out at the 3pt line looking for catch & shoot opportunities -
That’s not maximizing his size or skillset.
(See: Candyman @ Oregon as an example of a PF wanting to be a stretch 4, and failing, miserably)

 

[Sbucketball]

ACC POY

 

[qdawgg]

Man if only Jesse hadnt left

Would he been able to keep up……?

 

[RF2044]

I still think we might be missing athleticism at the position, but with Freeman in the fold I think that's going to change soon enough.

Williams is a plus athlete. Bell is a plus athlete. Brown might not be quite on their level, but he's an ACC caliber athlete. Taylor / Copeland are athletic, too. If Carey ultimately projects at PF, he's athletic as well.

Not sure that I see athleticism as a problem the way you do.

Now, scoring consistency? Certainly question marks throughout the forward unit on that basis.

 

[007]

Judah's back and also his arms and his legs! But I love his head the most. He realized he'd be better off maximizing his skills before asking to be judged by the NBA, or he could get lost in the waves of talent that enter pro ball every year.

As for SU, the dream of starting four guys who, as recruits were rated in the top 50 means that the raw talent level of this team is the best it's been since we were a Top 5 program a decade ago.

The thing is, that might not even be our best line-up. Judah had started to hit from outside last year but was 30% for the year. So was JJ Starling. Chance Westry has the size to play the '3' but was 0 for 14 from three. Benny Williams was a laudable 39.6% on just 48 attempts in 30 games. IN this line-up he'd be the power forward and Red will want him playing closer to the basket. A team's power forward is rarely their #1 outside shooter. And he did this as a fourth option. We're looking for someone who warranted special defensive attention and could pull the defense away from the basket so that all these guys who can score off the dribble can have room to maneuver. For that reason, Chris Bell and Justin Taylor have to be our 3's and we have to go with the hot hand there, unless Judah, JJ or Chance develop into credible outside threats.

I think the real loser is Quadir Copeland, whose combination of amazing passing skills but a poor outside shot is poorly served at the '3'. He was brought here to be a point guard and he might have been one - maybe our best one - without Mintz. He can help us if we are playing pressure defense but he's not going to get a chance to do much else.

I think the game is evolving away from concepts like "power forward, needing to play "closer to the basket," and skill sets associated with positions. It seems like Red is looking at a system with an emphasis on versatility and playmakers over traditional "positions."

 

[RF2044]

I think the game is evolving away from concepts like "power forward, needing to play "closer to the basket," and skill sets associated with positions. It seems like Red is looking at a system with an emphasis on versatility and playmakers over traditional "positions."

Right. Look at how Villanova plays [which I think will prove to be a similar template on offense to what we see from Red -- time will tell, but that's my expectation].

A lead guard. Two bigger wings [guard, forward -- whatever]. A versatile forward who plays inside / outside, and can shoot. A big to rebound / defend / score inside a little.

We have the right components to play this style.

Lead guard - Mintz.
Two bigger wings - JJ / Westry.
Versatile inside / outside forward - Williams.
Dunker / defender - Brown / McLeod / Hima [depending upon matchups, lots of fouls to use].

But I agree that positions are being rendered obsolete in modern basketball, outside of PG. And even that distiniction, JJ and Westry will both be relied upon to handle against pressure, distribute the rock, and make plays off of the bounce, so...

 

[NineOneSeven]

We’ve not had this level of talent AND depth at guard before. Stunning turn of events and a brown pants moment for the rest of ACC basketball. Great start to the Red era

To be fair... yes we have. 2012 with Jardine, Triche, Waiters, MCW.

 

[Cuse44]

So happy we’re not a high ankle sprain or broken finger away from total disaster - so glad we have more than 6 guys who will play. Every game we held our breath when someone took a hard fall - obviously don’t want it to happen but less worried if it does now.

 

[kingtidge]

The days of unathleticism at key positions is gone. What the hell were we watching on the court the last 10 years lol.

Slow roll lazy...

 

[pearl31]

To be fair... yes we have. 2012 with Jardine, Triche, Waiters, MCW.

mcw barely able to see the court, uh yeah that's a bit of depth

 

[SUFaninNJ]

And there was much rejoicing.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Red’s toughest job is finding minutes for everyone. This will be his hardest job. Wanting minutes and earning minutes are two different things. There will be talent not playing next year. How Red handles this will determine how successful this team is. Thirteen players are not going to play. Lucky to have 9-10. Good luck.

People will HAVE to play hard on defense. And they will hopefully NEED to be subbed out regularly to get a blow.

 

[IthacaMatt]

It really is unbelievable

Well, it did honestly look like a shrtshow when Weitsman was chased off and then we lost Jesse, who seemingly wanted to be here. Sure, his dad pushed his decision, but it was like seeing your team be left out of conference realignment. So, let's not sugar-coat it. People and programs have been put in place (rather quickly, too!), but it looked bleak there for a while.

 

[007]

Right. Look at how Villanova plays [which I think will prove to be a similar template on offense to what we see from Red -- time will tell, but that's my expectation].

A lead guard. Two bigger wings [guard, forward -- whatever]. A versatile forward who plays inside / outside, and can shoot. A big to rebound / defend / score inside a little.

We have the right components to play this style.

Lead guard - Mintz.
Two bigger wings - JJ / Westry.
Versatile inside / outside forward - Williams.
Dunker / defender - Brown / McLeod / Hima [depending upon matchups, lots of fouls to use].

But I agree that positions are being rendered obsolete in modern basketball, outside of PG. And even that distiniction, JJ and Westry will both be relied upon to handle against pressure, distribute the rock, and make plays off of the bounce, so...

Good points RF.

As you know, I have always been a huge believer in the need to have a true PG. But now that you can fill the roster with versatile playmakers, that need becomes less critical but still important. We will have that covered both ways - a true PG and versatility.

I'm REALLY looking forward to this style of play, even though I know there will be growing pains and a learning curve for the staff and the players.

 

[Orangezoo]

People will HAVE to play hard on defense. And they will hopefully NEED to be subbed out regularly to get a blow.

When you have a leader like Judah will be and guys who are out there to get to work this is going to drive everyone to push hard. Starling and Westry won't be coming in to mess around. It's about getting to work and getting results. You've got that in Quadir too. That intensity spreads and no one wants to be the guy dogging it on their teammates.

 

[Jasoncuse]

Yeah, Benny going an average of 2/5 from 3 in a typical game is more what we’d like to see from him.

Last year he was kinda like CJ Fair that one season, where he didn’t shoot a ton of 3’s, but made nearly half of them.
That was his Jr year, btw
30/64 = ~47%.

C.J. Fair

Syracuse University basketball profile for C.J. Fair, player for the Orange from 2011-2014.

www.orangehoops.org

We don’t want him just camping out at the 3pt line looking for catch & shoot opportunities -
That’s not maximizing his size or skillset.

Until the Pitt garbage time game, Benny was only 10-35 on the season. With that game and the Wake games propping up his season %, he shot under 30% in all the other games combined. I'm not sure anybody should expect him to shoot close to 40% from 3 for the year if his volume creeps up to 4-5 attempts per game. I would expect maybe 100 total attempts on the year, and hope he can hit 35ish.

 

[Niastri]

No offense, but I do not want Benny averaging 8 three point attempts per game under any circumstances. And there's no chance he shoots 40% at that volume. Girard never even averaged 8 three point attempts. I think the only guys in recent memory that have were Buddy and Andrew White.

As a team, we shot only 17.1 threes a game last year, far and away last in the ACC. In comparison, Pitt shot 25.1 to have the most attempts in the league.

Girard shot only 7.2 threes a game because he couldn't get open. The same guys locking Girard down can't get high enough to contest Williams. 8 might be a stretch, I agree, but for a couple things:

Last season, Syracuse was 142nd in possessions per game, with 70.8. The leaders in pace were over 77. That's almost 10% more shots to go around. Top 30 in pace would have been 74 possessions. The faster pace Red plans will give help give Williams more attempts.

Our starting lineup might have only one guy dedicated to shooting. Williams will be the beneficiary of three excellent penetrating guards who also pass well. This means more open threes. The team will look to get him the ball in catch and shoot situations if he can hit them at an elite rate.

One last thing, Williams took a lot of long two pointers last year... I'm hoping he takes a step back and shoots from three a little more often next season.