My Take

[sutomcat]

The drive between Syracuse and Boston is a favorite of mine. Some really nice views along the way I always look forward to. Especially like going through The Noses, an important geologic landmark for New York, where a mountain ridge was shorn in two by a glacial torrent around 9000 years ago.

Here is what The Noses looks like facing west. Little Nose is the ridge on the left, Big Nose is the ridge on the right. I-90 is the double lane highway and the body of water is the Mohawk River.

Another favorite view is of what I believe is called Tekoa Mountain. Located just north of I 90, just west of where I 90 crosses the Westfield River, it is a beautiful ridge that extends almost to the highway. If you drive I 90 in Western Massachusetts and haven't checked it out, please do so. It is worth your time.

The ride breaks up pretty nicely too. From Syracuse, Little Falls is about 1 hour away, the Hudson River about 2 hours, the Connecticut River about 3 hours and Boston about 4 hours. Easy to see where we are at any given time on the road.

LincolnCuse and I left Liverpool at noon, arrived in downtown Boston around 4:20 PM. After dealing with some GPS issues, we parked and headed over to Porter's Bar, about a block from TD Garden and an unofficial meeting place for syracusefan.com people. Porter's is a nice place. Excellent service, good staff, delightful ginger ale, while I can't confirm it, I recommend Boston's Best Burger. The pizza...not so good.

Tickets for the Saturday game were tough to get. We saw dozens of frustrated scalpers and fans trying to buy tickets, but no one actually selling. A lot more orange was on the streets of Boston than on Thursday. We didn't enter the arena until late...the UL-Florida game was a good one, there was beer to be drunk and our food was not delivered to us very quickly. Had a good time talking with the many syracusefan.com people there. These include CptTuttle, LurkerTim, Orange79, LurkerDave, nycfan, BillOrange, cuseguy, Mrscuseguy and an assortment of others. We also met CrazyKurt, a non board guy who is one of the most visible and loud fans in the legendary section 302 gang of fans.

Barely had time to run down to the court and get a good mojo program to cto. Did not have time/ability to get to her row and give a good mojo hug. That could have been the straw that broke the camel's back. If so, my bad. Thanks for BillOrange for getting me close enough to cto to give her a program period. Solid.

Regarding the game, I was really concerned beforehand about the matchup. With our undersized and really light centers, we really had no one who could keep Sullinger from establishing good position down low. That problem was exaserbated by the officiating, who let players pound down low without many calls. Sullinger still got in early foul trouble but this almost hurt SU, as their young replacement center was quicker and far better defensively than the overweight and slow footed Sullinger.

I hate it when fans blame losses on refs and I won't do it for this game. I will say it was one of the most bizarrely reffed games I have ever seen. There were a dozen calls where a whistle was blown and I had absolutely no idea what the call was going to be. The refs looked like they had never worked together (which is very possible) and really tired and confused. Perhaps their pre game Powerade was spiked?

I won't spend a lot of time talking about the game. So much has already been posted, I don't know how much I can say that is new ground. LurkerDave thought maybe we went to the hole a little too much and went away from our core offense a little too often. Maybe.

We did a good job ignoring Craft, who has a reputation as a poor shooter, looked like we took away Burford as an outside shooting threat and for the most part let #32 shoot from the outside. He had a couple of 3s that really hurt us. Wish we doubled Sullinger a little more but it seemed whenever we tried, a whistle would blow regardless of what was happening. Thought #1 was their best athlete and best player. He made a lot of plays for them in the paint and was their key to breaking our zone. #32 also was impressive. Craft was shaky with the ball but was able to avoid turnovers against our pressure for the most part. He was really good pressuring the ball, bothered Scoop greatly and while he won't say it, I think Craft's ability to pick Scoop's pocket was a big reason why JB was reluctant to get Scoop in again late in the game.

Nice to see CJ, Keita and BT play well to finish off the season. They all really tailed off late in the year and I hope this helps their confidence for the future.

Ultimately, we depended on KJ, Scoop and Dion to make plays when we needed them. They usually did a good job but all three were not consistent in crunch time, and all three were not at their best on Saturday. Given their inconsistencies, I don't think it is a huge surprise we lost in the Elite 8. Without Fab, we were going to run into a team with a good power player we had no answer for and a good solid defense. With normal refs, maybe we win the game. Maybe we don't. But I see no shame losing to OSU. They have a lot of talent and even with Fab, I am not sure we are definitely the better team (we probably are by a little bit).

The team next year should be a very entertaining one to watch play. I think MCW is going to make the team play faster than we have in the last few years, we should be able to run well but also be effective in half court settings. I think our rebounding will be considerably better in 2013. Our overall defense will be good and depending on whether a certain recruit comes here or not, it might be better than it was in 2013.

Thanks to the seniors for 4 or 5 very entertaining and fun filled seasons. Thanks for Fab and Dion for their contributions to the program. We hardly knew ye. Good luck to all leaving the program in their future endevours. And...WAR DAMN OTTO!

 

[newmexicuse]

I think MCW is going to make the team play faster

Yes, on your MCW comment, everybody here is very high on him, but I had not thought about it in those terms. great insight !!

 

[RoysRunts]

See you picked the Nose T.C.

 

[Noexcuse]

Good analysis. Pretty much how I feel, 2 days later.

 

[stuckinbig11]

I look forward to Trevor Cooney next year, and hopefully, an agressive James Southerland.

 

[Wallo]

I look forward to Trevor Cooney next year, and hopefully, an agressive James Southerland.

It would have taken a "lot of balls',but the idea of playing Trevor Cooney in the NCAA tourney may have some merit!! Most teams including the "smaller conferences" have a deep threat marksman.[ McNamara & Andy ] This team was streaky at best and never knew who would have a hot hand. Food for thought...

Go Cuse !!

 

[orangenirvana]

It would have taken a "lot of balls',but the idea of playing Trevor Cooney in the NCAA tourney may have some merit!! Most teams including the "smaller conferences" have a deep threat marksman.[ McNamara & Andy ] This team was streaky at best and never knew who would have a hot hand. Food for thought...

Go Cuse !!

Cooney sure is getting a ton of undeserved hype on this forum.

By September, he will be Reggie Miller according to syracusefan.com.

 

[Cuseregular]

The drive between Syracuse and Boston is a favorite of mine. Some really nice views along the way I always look forward to. Especially like going through The Noses, an important geologic landmark for New York, where a mountain ridge was shorn in two by a glacial torrent around 9000 years ago.

Here is what The Noses looks like facing west. Little Nose is the ridge on the left, Big Nose is the ridge on the right. I-90 is the double lane highway and the body of water is the Mohawk River.

Another favorite view is of what I believe is called Tekoa Mountain. Located just north of I 90, just west of where I 90 crosses the Westfield River, it is a beautiful ridge that extends almost to the highway. If you drive I 90 in Western Massachusetts and haven't checked it out, please do so. It is worth your time.

The ride breaks up pretty nicely too. From Syracuse, Little Falls is about 1 hour away, the Hudson River about 2 hours, the Connecticut River about 3 hours and Boston about 4 hours. Easy to see where we are at any given time on the road.

LincolnCuse and I left Liverpool at noon, arrived in downtown Boston around 4:20 PM. After dealing with some GPS issues, we parked and headed over to Porter's Bar, about a block from TD Garden and an unofficial meeting place for syracusefan.com people. Porter's is a nice place. Excellent service, good staff, delightful ginger ale, while I can't confirm it, I recommend Boston's Best Burger. The pizza...not so good.

Tickets for the Saturday game were tough to get. We saw dozens of frustrated scalpers and fans trying to buy tickets, but no one actually selling. A lot more orange was on the streets of Boston than on Thursday. We didn't enter the arena until late...the UL-Florida game was a good one, there was beer to be drunk and our food was not delivered to us very quickly. Had a good time talking with the many syracusefan.com people there. These include CptTuttle, LurkerTim, Orange79, LurkerDave, nycfan, BillOrange, cuseguy, Mrscuseguy and an assortment of others. We also met CrazyKurt, a non board guy who is one of the most visible and loud fans in the legendary section 302 gang of fans.

Barely had time to run down to the court and get a good mojo program to cto. Did not have time/ability to get to her row and give a good mojo hug. That could have been the straw that broke the camel's back. If so, my bad. Thanks for BillOrange for getting me close enough to cto to give her a program period. Solid.

Regarding the game, I was really concerned beforehand about the matchup. With our undersized and really light centers, we really had no one who could keep Sullinger from establishing good position down low. That problem was exaserbated by the officiating, who let players pound down low without many calls. Sullinger still got in early foul trouble but this almost hurt SU, as their young replacement center was quicker and far better defensively than the overweight and slow footed Sullinger.

I hate it when fans blame losses on refs and I won't do it for this game. I will say it was one of the most bizarrely reffed games I have ever seen. There were a dozen calls where a whistle was blown and I had absolutely no idea what the call was going to be. The refs looked like they had never worked together (which is very possible) and really tired and confused. Perhaps their pre game Powerade was spiked?

I won't spend a lot of time talking about the game. So much has already been posted, I don't know how much I can say that is new ground. LurkerDave thought maybe we went to the hole a little too much and went away from our core offense a little too often. Maybe.

We did a good job ignoring Craft, who has a reputation as a poor shooter, looked like we took away Burford as an outside shooting threat and for the most part let #32 shoot from the outside. He had a couple of 3s that really hurt us. Wish we doubled Sullinger a little more but it seemed whenever we tried, a whistle would blow regardless of what was happening. Thought #1 was their best athlete and best player. He made a lot of plays for them in the paint and was their key to breaking our zone. #32 also was impressive. Craft was shaky with the ball but was able to avoid turnovers against our pressure for the most part. He was really good pressuring the ball, bothered Scoop greatly and while he won't say it, I think Craft's ability to pick Scoop's pocket was a big reason why JB was reluctant to get Scoop in again late in the game.

Nice to see CJ, Keita and BT play well to finish off the season. They all really tailed off late in the year and I hope this helps their confidence for the future.

Ultimately, we depended on KJ, Scoop and Dion to make plays when we needed them. They usually did a good job but all three were not consistent in crunch time, and all three were not at their best on Saturday. Given their inconsistencies, I don't think it is a huge surprise we lost in the Elite 8. Without Fab, we were going to run into a team with a good power player we had no answer for and a good solid defense. With normal refs, maybe we win the game. Maybe we don't. But I see no shame losing to OSU. They have a lot of talent and even with Fab, I am not sure we are definitely the better team (we probably are by a little bit).

The team next year should be a very entertaining one to watch play. I think MCW is going to make the team play faster than we have in the last few years, we should be able to run well but also be effective in half court settings. I think our rebounding will be considerably better in 2013. Our overall defense will be good and depending on whether a certain recruit comes here or not, it might be better than it was in 2013.

Thanks to the seniors for 4 or 5 very entertaining and fun filled seasons. Thanks for Fab and Dion for their contributions to the program. We hardly knew ye. Good luck to all leaving the program in their future endevours. And...WAR DAMN OTTO!

yep to all. Man did you see how historically low (at least in my history) the Mohawk river was? Wow lack of snow I guess?

 

[Fjoinkay]

I like the drive too although I've only made a few times during daylight hours. The view of the canal always captures my interest. This team never quit, and they almost pulled it off yet again.

 

[sutomcat]

yep to all. Man did you see how historically low (at least in my history) the Mohawk river was? Wow lack of snow I guess?

It was low. Lots of wetland areas in the CNY area are summertime dry right now. Normally they are overflowing this year. Apple trees are a couple of months ahead of where they normally are. CNY apples normally are ready normally around Labor Day. Are expected ready in July this year, assuming we get no bad frost in the next couple of weeks. Strange things are afoot for certain.

Good seeing you at Porter's on Saturday. I knew I was forgetting someone very important. Sorry I didn't list you among the board members I ran into in Beantown.

 

[lincolncuse]

It was low. Lots of wetland areas in the CNY area are summertime dry right now. Normally they are overflowing this year. Apple trees are a couple of months ahead of where they normally are. CNY apples normally are ready normally around Labor Day. Are expected ready in July this year, assuming we get no bad frost in the next couple of weeks. Strange things are afoot for certain.

Good seeing you at Porter's on Saturday. I knew I was forgetting someone very important. Sorry I didn't list you among the board members I ran into in Beantown.

supposed to have a hard freeze tonight down into the low 20s

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Cooney sure is getting a ton of undeserved hype on this forum.

By September, he will be Reggie Miller according to syracusefan.com.

Don't want him then: he can't drive to the basket

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk

 

[sutomcat]

supposed to have a hard freeze tonight down into the low 20s

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Pray for the apples....

 

[billsin01]

I think MCW is going to make the team play faster

Yes, on your MCW comment, everybody here is very high on him, but I had not thought about it in those terms. great insight !!

I actually disagree with this. I think MCW will play fast but I think Scoop actually was excellent at getting this team out and running as was Andy Rautins two years ago. What slowed us down this year, was teams desperately milking the shot clock (the idea that we averaged 74 ppg -- even if it's heavily weighted by the preseason -- is pretty impressive given that even teams that generally run like UConn, were slowing things down). What slowed us down last year was the fact that we really struggled to create much in the half-court.

Anyway, I think MCW will be a bit more creative and effective at the point than Scoop was, but I can't imagine we'll play that much faster.

 

[sutomcat]

I actually disagree with this. I think MCW will play fast but I think Scoop actually was excellent at getting this team out and running as was Andy Rautins two years ago. What slowed us down this year, was teams desperately milking the shot clock (the idea that we averaged 74 ppg -- even if it's heavily weighted by the preseason -- is pretty impressive given that even teams that generally run like UConn, were slowing things down). What slowed us down last year was the fact that we really struggled to create much in the half-court.

Anyway, I think MCW will be a bit more creative and effective at the point than Scoop was, but I can't imagine we'll play that much faster.

There was a major difference in the way SU played this year when MCW was in the game. He is a lot faster than Scoop and looks to get the ball upcourt a lot more aggressively than Scoop is capable of. We ran with Scoop in there and he was a capable PG managing the fast break but MCW is better at it. Better finisher too. It is the difference between a good college PG and a good NBA PG. At least that is what I see when I watch MCW...

 

[OttoMets]

There was a major difference in the way SU played this year when MCW was in the game. He is a lot faster than Scoop and looks to get the ball upcourt a lot more aggressively than Scoop is capable of. We ran with Scoop in there and he was a capable PG managing the fast break but MCW is better at it. Better finisher too. It is the difference between a good college PG and a good NBA PG. At least that is what I see when I watch MCW...

Better finisher? I agree with a lot of those points, but you've lost me on that one. Scoop's one of our better finishers in memory (his missed layup on Saturday was one of maybe half a dozen this year); Carter-Williams may be a good finisher, but hasn't demonstrated that he's anywhere near that level.

 

[Flacusian]

TC, I always enjoyed the drive west on I-90 through the Berkshires by Otis which is the highest elevation on the Mass Pike . There are some spectacular views by Beckett and one incredible gorge in particular. I now live in Florida, moved here from Connecticut in '93 and don't get back up to the Northeast as much or often as I'd like. My brother attended Syracuse from 72 to 76 and went to Newhouse. I picked Colorado over SU but have been an SU fan ever since attending a basketball game in 72 when I traveled up to Cuse to see my brother. CU had a lousy basketball program and since Cuse was the frist big time college basketball game I ever saw I was hooked for life regardless of what school I attended.

I would head north on 91 to Springfield and then head west on 90 Mass Pike all the way to Syracuse. Loved all the scenic drive through the Mohawk valley and have always been intrigued by plate tectonics and geographic features which there are plenty of on that drive.

 

[billsin01]

There was a major difference in the way SU played this year when MCW was in the game. He is a lot faster than Scoop and looks to get the ball upcourt a lot more aggressively than Scoop is capable of. We ran with Scoop in there and he was a capable PG managing the fast break but MCW is better at it. Better finisher too. It is the difference between a good college PG and a good NBA PG. At least that is what I see when I watch MCW...

Yeah, I guess that could be true. I just look at the 09-10 team and this year's group and think they were BY FAR the best fast-breaking teams we've had since the glory days in the late 80s and early 90s. I think Scoop was a big part of that. I could see MCW being better and, in fact, developing into an NBA point. But I just think he'll be huge for the half-court and that is where we'll really see the difference. But I could be wrong. Regardless, MCW is a really exciting prospect.

 

[sutomcat]

Better finisher? I agree with a lot of those points, but you've lost me on that one. Scoop's one of our better finishers in memory (his missed layup on Saturday was one of maybe half a dozen this year); Carter-Williams may be a good finisher, but hasn't demonstrated that he's anywhere near that level.

Scoop got his shot blocked from behind a bunch of times, was caught from behind a bunch of times and had the ball knocked away, just missed layups a bunch of times...he was, IMHO a good finisher but not a great one. I think MCW is a lot bigger and more athletic and will be harder to stop when he has the ball and is ahead of the pack on a break. He didn't play a lot this year and I am basing this on a relatively small sample size. I could be wrong. Let's see what happens next season. I do like the support for Scoop. He was a fine PG for us. IMHO, MCW will be a first team BE player for us next season.

 

[OttoMets]

Scoop got his shot blocked from behind a bunch of times, was caught from behind a bunch of times and had the ball knocked away, just missed layups a bunch of times...he was, IMHO a good finisher but not a great one. I think MCW is a lot bigger and more athletic and will be harder to stop when he has the ball and is ahead of the pack on a break. He didn't play a lot this year and I am basing this on a relatively small sample size. I could be wrong. Let's see what happens next season. I do like the support for Scoop. He was a fine PG for us. IMHO, MCW will be a first team BE player for us next season.

I agree that Carter-Williams could become a great finisher for the reasons you stated. This season, though, he really struggled to get away from the pack on breaks and he missed a couple dunks. He can really elevate, though; as the game slows down for him, I expect him to be consistently good.

As for his passing, that's already there. It'll be very interesting to watch his development in the next 12 months.

 

[RF2044]

Scoop got his shot blocked from behind a bunch of times, was caught from behind a bunch of times and had the ball knocked away, just missed layups a bunch of times...he was, IMHO a good finisher but not a great one. I think MCW is a lot bigger and more athletic and will be harder to stop when he has the ball and is ahead of the pack on a break. He didn't play a lot this year and I am basing this on a relatively small sample size. I could be wrong. Let's see what happens next season. I do like the support for Scoop. He was a fine PG for us. IMHO, MCW will be a first team BE player for us next season.

I agree that Carter-Williams could become a great finisher for the reasons you stated. This season, though, he really struggled to get away from the pack on breaks and he missed a couple dunks. He can really elevate, though; as the game slows down for him, I expect him to be consistently good.

As for his passing, that's already there. It'll be very interesting to watch his development in the next 12 months.

I love MCW's potential. I'm just a bit concerned about his handle, and how he'll perform facing on the ball pressure.

Hope he debunks that concern.

 

[OttoMets]

I love MCW's potential. I'm just a bit concerned about his handle, and how he'll perform facing on the ball pressure.

Hope he debunks that concern.

I imagine that's something that'll come with game reps, maybe getting his pocket picked a few times. There have been guys (Z comes to mind) who have been successful with the high dribble.

 

[realorange]

I imagine that's something that'll come with game reps, maybe getting his pocket picked a few times. There have been guys (Z comes to mind) who have been successful with the high dribble.

Mmmm, yeah and a guy by the name of Magic Johnson did pretty well too.

 

[tbonezone]

again thanks for all the firstthand fan live game perspectives this season. always entertaining.