Post Standard Poll: If less than a Final Four, successful year ?

[Col. Bleep]

Any time we beat G-town makes the season successful regardless of what else may happen.
A win over them means we've accomplished something socially useful.
It keeps the universe in harmony.

The real question is whether the season would be disappointing...whether we'd have achieved at a level up to or above our abilities.
This year...we have to make the Final 4 to live up to our potential.
We're that good.
And there's no reason we can't win it all.

Of course, I felt the same way two years ago.

 

[OrangeMojo]

for me, this year has already been wildly successful. I came into the season believing that this was going to be a mid-pack team in conference and a 1st weekend team in the NCAAT.

The fact that this team won a school record 20 in a row, has been in the top 5 all year long, tied a school record with 6 weeks at #1 (and could still break the record with a 7th week if things fall right), and is likely to win its 2nd outright conference title in 3 years is remarkable to me. It is still the same team I thought I saw in October - no true low post presence, poor rebounding, mediocre outside shooting, an often-painful-to-watch half court offense. And yet, here we are just some botched coursework away from being undefeated both in and out of conference, with long losing streaks to our nemeses assigned to the dustbin of history. To me, this season has been incredibly successful already, regardless of how it plays out. This will go down as one of the most memorable Orange seasons in history no matter how it ends, IMO.

I had low expectations, so I am very happy. I still look at the flaws I listed and think it will be hard for this squad to get past the Sweet 16, so even getting to the Regional Finals will be a huge accomplishment in my book. And, of course, I would love to eat heaping plates of crow and see them go even further.

disagree about the regional finals being a huge accomplishment if they're coming from a 1 seed. Just need to beat a 16 seed, 8/9 winner and 4/5 winner - no excuse for this team not being able to do that - none

 

[Sgt Cuse]

for me, this year has already been wildly successful. I came into the season believing that this was going to be a mid-pack team in conference and a 1st weekend team in the NCAAT.

The fact that this team won a school record 20 in a row, has been in the top 5 all year long, tied a school record with 6 weeks at #1 (and could still break the record with a 7th week if things fall right), and is likely to win its 2nd outright conference title in 3 years is remarkable to me. It is still the same team I thought I saw in October - no true low post presence, poor rebounding, mediocre outside shooting, an often-painful-to-watch half court offense. And yet, here we are just some botched coursework away from being undefeated both in and out of conference, with long losing streaks to our nemeses assigned to the dustbin of history. To me, this season has been incredibly successful already, regardless of how it plays out. This will go down as one of the most memorable Orange seasons in history no matter how it ends, IMO.

I had low expectations, so I am very happy. I still look at the flaws I listed and think it will be hard for this squad to get past the Sweet 16, so even getting to the Regional Finals will be a huge accomplishment in my book. And, of course, I would love to eat heaping plates of crow and see them go even further.

I have a lot of the same mindset. This team has outperformed my expectations so far. I, too, see those flaws. There is no post type AO, RJ, Hak, DC, etc, no above average marksman Andy, GMac, Roe. I saw this team like a UConn - several decent players coming back. This team doesn't out-talent Louisville or Georgetown.

But the benefit of this overacheivement should be a good seed, and good location. If SU is then located in the East and is a significant favorite in the first 3 rounds, it would be more disappointing to lose.

 

[IthacaMatt]

for me, this year has already been wildly successful. I came into the season believing that this was going to be a mid-pack team in conference and a 1st weekend team in the NCAAT.

The fact that this team won a school record 20 in a row, has been in the top 5 all year long, tied a school record with 6 weeks at #1 (and could still break the record with a 7th week if things fall right), and is likely to win its 2nd outright conference title in 3 years is remarkable to me. It is still the same team I thought I saw in October - no true low post presence, poor rebounding, mediocre outside shooting, an often-painful-to-watch half court offense. And yet, here we are just some botched coursework away from being undefeated both in and out of conference, with long losing streaks to our nemeses assigned to the dustbin of history. To me, this season has been incredibly successful already, regardless of how it plays out. This will go down as one of the most memorable Orange seasons in history no matter how it ends, IMO.

I had low expectations, so I am very happy. I still look at the flaws I listed and think it will be hard for this squad to get past the Sweet 16, so even getting to the Regional Finals will be a huge accomplishment in my book. And, of course, I would love to eat heaping plates of crow and see them go even further.

How could you seriously think this was a "midpack team" in the Big East ? We had everyone back but Rick from a team that won 27 games and was picked pre-season as #5 in the country ?

 

[OrangeinBoston]

Nothing less than a Final 4 is acceptable.

 

[Shenexon]

This year is part of my vision for the last years of JB's tenure. I expect him to go out in style with consecutive final 4's and associated national championships. There is no other way for his era to come to an end. Therefore, it's final four this year and next at the least and at least one national championship as a result. LGO!

 

[cap2nine]

I agree with many other posters. Anything short of the Final Four would be a HUGE disappointment. We have fallen short, in recent years, of lofty expectations for one reason or another and if we continue to do so it may have a significant impact on future recruiting. We must make the most of our opportunities and this looks like the best opportunity we've had in a very long time.

 

[CorduroyG]

How could you seriously think this was a "midpack team" in the Big East ? We had everyone back but Rick from a team that won 27 games and was picked pre-season as #5 in the country ?

Moqui is obsessed with "half court offense." Like thats the be all and end all for a basketball team. We won 27 games last year, were a 3 seed in the tourny, returning everyone but rick (who yes was our best player last year, but nothing special and notorious for disappearing in big games). I remember some people saying "we're the same team as last year minus our best player." Not realizing that players improve from year to year. Plus adding 2 burger boys. If we were getting the same dion and fab and james and scoop and dirty as last year then yea, we'd probably be a midpack team. I remember saying in the summer this is gonna be the most deep and talented cuse team i can remember. FINAL 4 OR BUST!

 

[pfister1]

I'm the same way at this point. We might finish the regular season with 1 loss and a Big East Regular Season title, I'd call that a success.

Obviously the national title is the prize; but I'd hate to let 1 bad game in March to ruin the other 30 where we played well.

If that were to happen, I don't think it would be 1 bad game in March that ruins the other 30, but rather 1 bad game in March coupled with a significant number of other disappointments (prior seasons) that ruin the other 30. If we were a team that consistently played to seeding and/or overachieved I think it would be easier to stomach the occasional failure (well maybe not.)

 

[cusetown1]

for me, this year has already been wildly successful. I came into the season believing that this was going to be a mid-pack team in conference and a 1st weekend team in the NCAAT.

The fact that this team won a school record 20 in a row, has been in the top 5 all year long, tied a school record with 6 weeks at #1 (and could still break the record with a 7th week if things fall right), and is likely to win its 2nd outright conference title in 3 years is remarkable to me. It is still the same team I thought I saw in October - no true low post presence, poor rebounding, mediocre outside shooting, an often-painful-to-watch half court offense. And yet, here we are just some botched coursework away from being undefeated both in and out of conference, with long losing streaks to our nemeses assigned to the dustbin of history. To me, this season has been incredibly successful already, regardless of how it plays out. This will go down as one of the most memorable Orange seasons in history no matter how it ends, IMO.

I had low expectations, so I am very happy. I still look at the flaws I listed and think it will be hard for this squad to get past the Sweet 16, so even getting to the Regional Finals will be a huge accomplishment in my book. And, of course, I would love to eat heaping plates of crow and see them go even further.

You were in the .01% who thought this would be a middle of the pack team.

 

[cusetown1]

just unbelievable, 26-1 about to lock up boston and pittsburgh and now it's hard for this squad to get past the sweet 16? I

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

just unbelievable, 26-1 about to lock up boston and pittsburgh and now it's hard for this squad to get past the sweet 16? I

Historically the Sweet 16 has been a major obstacle for SU...many times as the better seeded team. Why wouldn't some folks be cautious about just penciling us in the Final Four?

 

[pfister1]

Historically the Sweet 16 has been a major obstacle for SU...many times as the better seeded team. Why wouldn't some folks be cautious about just penciling us in the Final Four?

Not to mention #1 seeds, oftentimes multiple of them, go down before the Final Four every year.

 

[cusetown1]

Historically the Sweet 16 has been a major obstacle for SU...many times as the better seeded team. Why wouldn't some folks be cautious about just penciling us in the Final Four?

Not this year. I mean they beat UL and Pitt for the first time in 15 years, I take that as a good token. 2010 was an injury away from making the final 4.

 

[Shenexon]

Historically the Sweet 16 has been a major obstacle for SU...many times as the better seeded team. Why wouldn't some folks be cautious about just penciling us in the Final Four?

I think that goes to the concept that "Those who don't learn from the past repeat it". We've endured the torment of that experience on several occasions but I think that JB has become one of the wise elders in the game and has a team he can use in many different ways.

One problem of being a long-term fan is that we remember the painful events at least as clearly as the joyful ones, except for the NC year. If I could block out the Vermont, Navy, Rhode Island, and Richmond game experiences I'd be more confident as we move forward but still like our chances compared with the past. Given our recent superb success in recruiting and with JB at his best, we could indeed be heading into our golden age. At least that's the scenario I have at the top of my list.

 

[moqui]

How could you seriously think this was a "midpack team" in the Big East ? We had everyone back but Rick from a team that won 27 games and was picked pre-season as #5 in the country ?

because the team that have "everyone back" except their only good rebounder . . . was a midpack Big East team. This squad replicated all the flaws of that team and compounded it by losing the only proven rebounder and low post threat.

And I don't care if they were pre-season Top 5, those polls are meaningless. Just ask UConn and Pitt. I base my expectations on what I see, not on what the polls tell me to believe.

 

[The General]

Here's the problem. Who really cares about the final 8? It's nice, but not all that meaningful. I look at that '89 Illinois game and think, "damn we were so close to another final 4 and we had a great chance at winning it." Not, "that's great we made the final 8!"

In the same way I look at the final 4. It's nice to make it. It's really an amazing accomplishment. But esp. this year, if we make the final 4? We should with the whole thing. We are good enough. And there is no dominant team like the '96 UK team that downed us.

National Championship. And then I feel like I can go into anyone's house put my boots on their table and light a cigar. We'll have 2 and nobody can ever say s*** about anything we have or haven't done in the past. I like that feeling.

 

[EastCoast2]

Not to mention, if we win the NC this season, how many of the recent NCs would be from ACC teams?
Cuse 03, 12
UNC 05, 09
Duke 01, 10
Maryland 02

7 of the last 12?

 

[CorduroyG]

because the team that have "everyone back" except their only good rebounder . . . was a midpack Big East team. This squad replicated all the flaws of that team and compounded it by losing the only proven rebounder and low post threat.

And I don't care if they were pre-season Top 5, those polls are meaningless. Just ask UConn and Pitt. I base my expectations on what I see, not on what the polls tell me to believe.

They werent a midpack team. They finished 4th in big east last year, got the double bye in big east tourny (and took the eventual national champs who were in the middle of arguably the greatest postseason run ever to ot), and got a THREE seed in the tournament. Meaning only about 10 teams had a better regular season than us.

And you were assuming we'd have the exact same team as last year minus rick. Players improve from year to year.

 

[cusetown1]

They werent a midpack team. They finished 4th in big east last year, got the double bye in big east tourny (and took the eventual national champs who were in the middle of arguably the greatest postseason run ever to ot), and got a THREE seed in the tournament. Meaning only about 10 teams had a better regular season than us.

And you were assuming we'd have the exact same team as last year minus rick. Players improve from year to year.

Rick Houdini Jackson. At least he was during Marquette and Butler those 2 years. What he have like 15 to's against Butler?

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Rick Houdini Jackson. At least he was during Marquette and Butler those 2 years. What he have like 15 to's against Butler?

No one ever called him "Big Game" Jackson...thats for sure. Our most overrated "star" of all time, imo. Showed a bad attitude and a bit of a quitters attitude in the paint in some of our biggest times of need.

 

[CorduroyG]

No one ever called him "Big Game" Jackson...thats for sure. Our most overrated "star" of all time, imo. Showed a bad attitude and a bit of a quitters attitude in the paint in some of our biggest times of need.

exactly. never a big rick fan. never trusted him in big spots, even last year. and lo and behold, he put up another stink bomb in the tourny against marquette. never understood why people were freaking out about losing him. and why did it take him 4 years to finally get in shape?

Sent from my SCH-R720 using Tapatalk

 

[cusetown1]

No one ever called him "Big Game" Jackson...thats for sure. Our most overrated "star" of all time, imo. Showed a bad attitude and a bit of a quitters attitude in the paint in some of our biggest times of need.

While a good player, I was banking on the development of Fab outweighing Jackson's departure. Hey 26-1 right now and a 1 seed, I'll take it!

 

[moqui]

You were in the .01% who thought this would be a middle of the pack team.

yup . . . and the .001% who doesn't run away from his opinions. I said it, I stuck by it, and I don't try to pretend that I didn't .

Moqui is obsessed with "half court offense." Like thats the be all and end all for a basketball team.

it certainly was the last two seasons, wasn't it?

Try to be objective. You tend to find yourself in half court, possession-by-possession struggles in one or more rounds of the NCAA tournament. If you can't execute efficiently, then you go home. Pretending that those games don't happen, and that SU has a real problem in them, is whistling past the graveyard.

They werent a midpack team. They finished 4th in big east last year, got the double bye in big east tourny (and took the eventual national champs who were in the middle of arguably the greatest postseason run ever to ot), and got a THREE seed in the tournament. Meaning only about 10 teams had a better regular season than us.

The fact of the matter is that SU was part of a large scrum of BE teams at 12-6 and 11-7 - about 1/3 of the conference was in that pack. Pitt and Notre Dame were the class of the conference and each was several games ahead of that pack. You can pretend that SU was an elite BE team last year, but you are kidding yourself.

And regardless of where they were (over)seeded, they lost in the Round of 32 to the kind of team that always bedevils a squad that struggles in the half court. Again, you can choose to ignore that inconvenient fact (and the even more inconvenient history that precedes it), but I am not required to join you.

And you were assuming we'd have the exact same team as last year minus rick. Players improve from year to year.

no, I was factoring improvement into the mix, I always do - that is why I am very high on Rakeem Christmas, for example - but I still didn't see anyone who was going to become a consistent low post threat. And, I was right, BTW.

but you don't have to take it as a personal affront because someone has a different assessment from yours.


If all you want is rah, rah, rah, we are the best, nothing bad can happen, pass the Kool Aid, then don't read my posts. I am going to write it as I see it - sometimes it will be very positive, sometimes it will be very critical, but I try not to write what I want to see rather than what I actually do see.

I am happy to admit that I have been wrong about how this season would play out, but I also know that I have been right a lot of times, too. And, I really, really hope that when this season is over that Corduroy and IthacaMatt and Cusetown and dozens of others can spend the entire off season belittling me for how off base I was. I want to be wrong.

 

[cusetown1]

I won't belittle you Moqui when the season is over no matter what happens. I hope we all can celebrate a National Championship at the end of the year.
sincerely,
the guy who said 29-2 and a National Championship.