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Message: [QUOTE="RF2044, post: 1304831, member: 40"] I want to beat Louisville--BADLY. If for no other reason than to actually beat a highly rated team this year, and to help close an otherwise down season on a positive note. Here are the keys to the game, IMO: [LIST] [*][B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(255, 128, 0)]Jones being suspended:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] Not sure what caused this to happen, but it gives us a solid advantage. He is the cog in Louisville's on-the-ball pressure defense, which has been relentless this year. He's also their top playmaker and second leading scorer. They might be able to overcome his absence, but they've only had a day or two to make adjustments--which is not ideal. On paper, that's a big advantage for Syracuse. [/LIST] [LIST] [*][B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(255, 128, 0)]Rak staying out of foul trouble:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] Harrel is a terrific big and Onuaku is a big body. But Rak needs to bounce back in a big way and convert the easy ones inside that he missed against Duke--in other words, the shots he's hit all year. Harrel's gotten the better of him over the years; it's time to even up the score. And, we need Rak to avoid foul trouble because he is the key to the defense, and also need him to stay on the floor for the next factor... [/LIST] [LIST] [*][B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(255, 128, 0)]Rebounding:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] Louisville is the gang that can't shoot straight. Recent teams have fought back against us in the second half in part by going bombadier from three. We can't afford to give them second chance opportunities, or let them get two, three, or four cracks to score. Limit them to one-and-done, rebound, and make them go play defense. Not to mention, securing defensive rebounds is indirectly another way to prevent them from slapping on the press the way they can after makes. [/LIST] [LIST] [*][B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(255, 128, 0)]Perimeter defense:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] The PS article from yesterday outlined how poorly we're playing defensively in the second half of games. That has to change. Sticking with the three point shooting issue discussed in the previous bullet, Louisville doesn't shoot the ball consistently from three point range. We can't afford them to tee off from three like we allowed UNC to do. They're bound to have some clown who barely produces have a career day--always seems to happen--but we simply can't let them hit 7-9 threes. Need to do a MUCH better job finding shooters and taking way clean looks than we've been doing. [/LIST] [LIST] [*][B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(255, 128, 0)]Take care of the ball:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] Louisville is going to attack with massive pressure, like they always do. Our guards [and G] need to do a good job taking care of the ball to avoid giving them easy run out opportunities [I'm looking at you, Kaleb Joseph!]. G and Cooney [and to a lesser extent, Patterson] need to chip in and do a solid job handling the ball to mitigate the press and get the half court offensive sets initiated quicker in the shot clock. [/LIST] Big opportunity in front of us tonight--here's hoping we rise to the occasion! [SIZE=6][COLOR=rgb(255, 128, 0)][B]Let's Go Orange!!![/B][/COLOR][/SIZE] [/QUOTE]

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