Postgame Thoughts… BC

[CousCuse]

I have no idea what it takes to improve his shot mechanics but his shots just seem to have no chance of going in unless they are dead center. He has had several shots almost go down but spin around the rim and come out. I can only imagine the amount of time coaches have focused on improving his shots. That in itself may have him "over thinking" every shot.

It's agonizing to watch him put up his first jumper and it clanks out. I don't think this has happened him much if ever and I can only imagine his just trashing himself in his head. When, the first one goes down, the spell will be broken.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I'll continue to use the golf analogy. If your putter is cold, you start reaching back with your driver to put yourself in position to have shorter approach shots. Then your trying to hit shots to the pin instead of aiming for the safe landing area. The missing putts puts a lot of stuff in your head and your whole game starts malfunctioning. That's where I think his head is at.

You’re

 

[djcon57]

In the presser he said he changed his mind because Joe hit two threes which was not the case, he only made one before Symir was called back to the bench from the scorer's table

I think the fact that he would keep someone in simply for making a shot is really exposing his current thought process. He's so focused on our not wanting to miss a shooters hot streak that he's missing every other part of the game.

 

[CousCuse]

You’re

To finish the golf analogy. When you reach back with your driver to go over hazards or for more distance, very often you end up in those hazards or hook or slice it into the rough, trees water and sand. And when you try to hit to the pin, the pins are often placed in areas where if you are aggressive and miss, the ball could end up in a hazard or sand or go off the green and down a bank making for a near impossible chip.

 

[Orangezoo]

In the presser JB said Sy played really well and he was going to put him in but then Joe hit the 2 3s so he wanted Joe to stay in. Which is fine. But it never even crosses his mind to take Buddy out in the 2H of a close game

Amazing isn't it? I completely agree with the Joe comment.

Buddy didn't make a single shot after that point and was 1-7 the whole half as I count it with a rebound and a foul.

 

[orangecuse]

I think there's many answers to what you are saying...

1) You are right in that it's a little too negative when we've won 4 in a row regardless of comp

2) I think some of the "negativity" in regards to playing time, etc is in question not because of the game itself but more suggesting what happens when we play a better team

3) Some of the "these teams suck" type discussion are just in counter to the "WE'RE BACK, BABY. ELITE OFFENSE! JESSE IS THE BEST SYRACUSE CENTER EVER" talk.

I think you have the right mindset though. If you accept that this is a .500-esque team, then the wins feel better and the losses will be accepted better. We'll see how that goes down the stretch.

I think this honestly, IMO, hits the nail on the head.

Alsacs has alluded to this sentiment in various posts, however, not just "this" team, but on a broader scope. That if the general SU fan base and community is okay with being nothing more than a middling, mediocre team in our league (which is pretty much what we have been since we've been in the ACC, so our new normal) perennially being on the bubble, maxing out with 2 wins in the Dance vs. chasing a championship, etc. then so be it.

Additionally, if that is the case, and the fan base has truly excepted this new normal and are completely at peace with it, then we should act in a manner that reflects our true and current 'real' state, vs. acting as if we are top tier and/or elite.

 

[CardiacCuse]

Haha I was debating if I should post at all… probably shouldn’t, but will anyway. Here goes!

I was pumped to hop on Syracusefan like always after a game, win or lose. I was excited because Syracuse is on a nice little winning streak & grabbed an ACC road win by 9. Yay!

Cole continues to be playing well & even though Jesse was a complete non-factor, Anselem stepped in well. That’s exciting. Buddy didn’t play great & we still won on the road by 9, huge positive!

I was floored by the amount of negativity in this particular thread, especially with this particular Syracuse team. A month ago this team was considered the potential worst in the JB coaching era (at least defensively), many were resigned to to the first under .500 team in 50 years.

Syracuse has turned things around, the competition is down on this run no doubt… but if this team is as bad as is claimed, we should be reveling in every win! Instead, I see comment after comment about how it should have been played differently, substitution patterns need changing, the Boeheim brothers are black holes, etc… in a 9 point ACC road win.

As fans of the program, it boggles the mind. How many comments of “the other team sucks & is terrible!” have we seen during these wins - but you also said Syracuse sucks & is terrible, so shouldn’t this run of win’s that’s pushed the team above .500 & started (started!) to bring the Orange back into some post-season discussion thrill us all? Haha the negativity during a winning streak just doesn’t compute for me in the context of this specific Syracuse team & their clear limitations.

all due respect

last year they beat the BC by 48...so forgive me if I have too high expecations for the team

im happy that the team seems to have gelled finally...i think there are still kinks to be worked out and havent given up on the season...so im going to keep pointing out what i see

for me the 4 game winning streak is great - theres now a glimmer when there was none before

but it also shows me that there was potential for the record to be much better than it currently is

with the age and experience this team has - why couldnt they play this way all season???

if they had played like they have since game 20 from the start of the season - i think the team already has 19 or 20 wins and the narrative is much different - limitations and all.

the colgate vcu gtown miami wake pitt uva fsu losses were all very very winnable imo

even if they only went 5-3 in those losses...(with better coaching) this team is 18-6 now or better...easily.

 

[ar inj]

As fans of the program, it boggles the mind... Haha the negativity during a winning streak just doesn’t compute for me in the context of this specific Syracuse team & their clear limitations.

This board is just like the post game press conferences that drive some readers crazy.

This board knows what SU basketball can be (and should be). The Board is hard on the coach and the team because it knows the team and the coach can break bad habits, and learn, and do things the way the Board needs them to be done.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

To finish the golf analogy. When you reach back with your driver to go over hazards or for more distance, very often you end up in those hazards or hook or slice it into the rough, trees water and sand. And when you try to hit to the pin, the pins are often placed in areas where if you are aggressive and miss, the ball could end up in a hazard or sand or go off the green and down a bank making for a near impossible chip.

I don’t golf

 

[pearl31]

I don’t golf

your kidding

 

[CuseFaninVT]

your kidding

Not at all.

I also don’t golf analogy

 

[kirbivore]

Bench was great, especially Frank. Tremendous energy on the glass and on D. Symir was really productive in the first half, not sure why basically no time in second. Even Benny had some nice hustle plays. It matters.

Nice to get another W. Won’t happen much with Jesse being such a non factor imo. And definitely not against a good team.

Unless there's some notable change in the game like foul trouble or injury it does appear JB has the rotations planned out and Sy's play in the first half, no matter how good, wasn't going to change JB's substitution pattern.

 

[kirbivore]

yes - VT has underachieved but have talent. They seem to finally be putting it together - hoping we can stop them at their place. They return 3 starters from last year and were picked 5th in the ACC preseason rankings after Duke, FSU, UNC and Virginia (the other team coming on strong). They have 6 players shooting over 38% from 3. Our defense has to close out and guard these shooters. Both SU and VT are on league leading 4 game win streaks.

First guard that drifts into the lane and gives up an open 3 should be pulled immediately

 

[kirbivore]

He sees it.

Either he doesn't see it or sees it and doesn't care. Both are bad.

 

[kirbivore]

ouch...not sure this zone can stop that

will have to win in a shootout

I know it's not going to happen but would love to see a Rocky 2 style changeup and open the game in MTM to temporarily flummox the Hokies.

 

[kirbivore]

I think it’s the relative nature of the overall ACC suckitude and what could have been. BC is so bad that not having it be a 20 plus point win almost makes it feel like a loss. I know Auburn lost last night in Arkansas but watching the speed and athleticism of those two and then flipping back to our game was a stark contrast.

And that was Arkansas' 9th consecutive win in a much tougher conference

 

[CousCuse]

I don’t golf

Better that you don't, it takes a lot of thinking.

 

[NKR1978]

just had to outscore BC by two in the second half, instead i not only need to buy a new iPad, but I lost about what an iPad is worth….. double whammy….. damnit….

Did you see the end to that Kentucky game?

 

[Cheriehoop]

First guard that drifts into the lane and gives up an open 3 should be pulled immediately

It will happen - their guards are small and quick - 6’ to 6’4”. They play a 3 guard lineup -6’, 6’3”, 6’4” with a 6’5” guard first off the bench. Their tallest starter is 6’9” so it will be speed vs height.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Better that you don't, it takes a lot of thinking.

I’d rather play a sport

 

[Niastri]

"Best backup center" is an interesting question. Of course, some eventual starters were great backups while waiting for their turn.

I'll nominate Danny Schayes and Baye.

Jeremy McNeil, if only because of the Oklahoma State comeback. I have never seen a single player get so many blocks during a quick comeback!

 

[two3zone]

Did you see the end to that Kentucky game?

I didn’t. Do I dare ask?

 

[GoSU96]

I think Frank is the best backup center SU has ever had, he is at least way up on the list. If he can run the PAR play with Joe successfully, it would be huge.

Uh, no he’s not.

 

[rrlbees]

I think this honestly, IMO, hits the nail on the head.

Alsacs has alluded to this sentiment in various posts, however, not just "this" team, but on a broader scope. That if the general SU fan base and community is okay with being nothing more than a middling, mediocre team in our league (which is pretty much what we have been since we've been in the ACC, so our new normal) perennially being on the bubble, maxing out with 2 wins in the Dance vs. chasing a championship, etc. then so be it.

Additionally, if that is the case, and the fan base has truly excepted this new normal and are completely at peace with it, then we should act in a manner that reflects are true and current 'real' state, vs. acting as if we are top tier and/or elite.

Who are these fans your projecting your opinion on? I know 100’s of fans. Not one is okay with being a mediocre team.

 

[Orangezoo]

Better that you don't, it takes a lot of thinking.

Now that is Rich...

Let's see your data on Frank being the best backup center we have ever had. Filed away with all that other data... we have yet to see...