jec1521
2nd String
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2011
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Well, I couldn't really come on here until now. Didn't have the stomach for it. I'd like to let some stuff off my chest though, so here it goes...
After the Wisconsin game, I knew I had to be there for the Elite 8. Bought a ticket, and off I went on my 8 hour round trip from New Jersey...
I sat in section 315. Crowd was pretty great, other than one major part. It could have been only my section, but the Usher kept on telling us to sit down... I screamed back at him "Are we blocking the back wall or something???" I didn't understand that at all.
Anyway, I screamed as loud as I could all night long. Got into an argument with 2 Ohio state fans and they got kicked out. That was at least somewhat enjoyable.
On to the game, the refs weren't out to get us, BUT the way that they called the game did us no favors. Even with Sullinger out in the first half, we couldn't capitalize because the refs didn't let either team play. As a result, we basically traded baskets/fouls/free throws the rest of the first half.
Some calls you could at least say were consistent with the rest, but some other calls were just wrong. Dion's 4th foul, One of Scoops were he barely even brushed Craft, and pretty much all of Keita's. It was frustrating to watch.
The refs should never play that much of a role. It could have been a great game, but we couldn't force TO's and get out in transition like we always want to because of them.
BS calls or not, we still had chances to take the game over and just didn't. KJo's 2 turnovers in a row were a killer, and Brandon's missed 3 down one was probably the deciding factor. I know we were still in the game after that with plenty of time, but we couldn't get over the hump and take the lead. If he hits that shot, we're in great shape and the place would have exploded.
Craft is annoying as hell. I don't think he stopped smirking once all game. He should really just transfer to Duke already. It's where he belongs. He wasn't even much of a factor in the game. His defense is severely overrated. Scrap and claw at the player's arm, then put both of your hands up and complain about it? Sorry, that's not defense.
Dion could have had a breakthrough game, but the foul trouble stopped him from that. He was getting in the lane and to the basket at will, although he did miss a bunny or two.
Kris showed a typical Kris performance. He was OK, but he missed a lot of bunnies as well in the first half that really hurt us. I love Kris, but I don't think he ever had the "cajones" (for a lack of a beter word) to be a big time player.
RAKeita did an excellent job all things considered, especially Keita. IF we get Noel, I would be upset if he got redshirted. He doesn't deserve it. I love his hustle and heart. (Although I'm sure Noel would make me say "Baye who?" by the end of the year.
)
Even with this loss, the 8 hour round trip in a day was still worth it. Why? Because I loved this team. They're not perfect. Nobody is. But their perseverance through all of the crap that they had to get through this year was incredible. Kris never completely lived up to expectations after 2010, but he was still a great player for us. And Scoop, well, Scoop deserved a Final Four. I'm upset that he didn't get it, but he came into Syracuse a boy, and left as a man. That's what college sports are all about...
After the Wisconsin game, I knew I had to be there for the Elite 8. Bought a ticket, and off I went on my 8 hour round trip from New Jersey...
I sat in section 315. Crowd was pretty great, other than one major part. It could have been only my section, but the Usher kept on telling us to sit down... I screamed back at him "Are we blocking the back wall or something???" I didn't understand that at all.
Anyway, I screamed as loud as I could all night long. Got into an argument with 2 Ohio state fans and they got kicked out. That was at least somewhat enjoyable.
On to the game, the refs weren't out to get us, BUT the way that they called the game did us no favors. Even with Sullinger out in the first half, we couldn't capitalize because the refs didn't let either team play. As a result, we basically traded baskets/fouls/free throws the rest of the first half.
Some calls you could at least say were consistent with the rest, but some other calls were just wrong. Dion's 4th foul, One of Scoops were he barely even brushed Craft, and pretty much all of Keita's. It was frustrating to watch.
The refs should never play that much of a role. It could have been a great game, but we couldn't force TO's and get out in transition like we always want to because of them.
BS calls or not, we still had chances to take the game over and just didn't. KJo's 2 turnovers in a row were a killer, and Brandon's missed 3 down one was probably the deciding factor. I know we were still in the game after that with plenty of time, but we couldn't get over the hump and take the lead. If he hits that shot, we're in great shape and the place would have exploded.
Craft is annoying as hell. I don't think he stopped smirking once all game. He should really just transfer to Duke already. It's where he belongs. He wasn't even much of a factor in the game. His defense is severely overrated. Scrap and claw at the player's arm, then put both of your hands up and complain about it? Sorry, that's not defense.
Dion could have had a breakthrough game, but the foul trouble stopped him from that. He was getting in the lane and to the basket at will, although he did miss a bunny or two.
Kris showed a typical Kris performance. He was OK, but he missed a lot of bunnies as well in the first half that really hurt us. I love Kris, but I don't think he ever had the "cajones" (for a lack of a beter word) to be a big time player.
RAKeita did an excellent job all things considered, especially Keita. IF we get Noel, I would be upset if he got redshirted. He doesn't deserve it. I love his hustle and heart. (Although I'm sure Noel would make me say "Baye who?" by the end of the year.
)Even with this loss, the 8 hour round trip in a day was still worth it. Why? Because I loved this team. They're not perfect. Nobody is. But their perseverance through all of the crap that they had to get through this year was incredible. Kris never completely lived up to expectations after 2010, but he was still a great player for us. And Scoop, well, Scoop deserved a Final Four. I'm upset that he didn't get it, but he came into Syracuse a boy, and left as a man. That's what college sports are all about...