Postgame Thoughts… Wake Forest game 2

[Sherman20]

Yes.
11 of WF's 17 turnovers in 2nd half

Mostly turnovers that Syracuse CREATED by getting in passing lanes and getting deflections. Something that the best Syracuse teams did on the regular.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Hoping to see a few more wins like this. Must be a big relief for the players and coaches after that Pitt loss. You know these guys don't want to be the team with a losing record.
It sure did wonders for my mood.

Yesterday the drinks were…frothier? (Is that a word)? Today the sun shines brighter, and all is right with the world.
For the 1st time this season, it was so good to finally feel like “Da Cuse” again. Didn’t realize how much I’d missed it.

 

[MadNY3]

How much you think it cost to get Giannis to come?
25k or 50k?
Whatever it was well done by Mr. Weitsman they brought excitement and energy to the atmosphere.

$100k +

 

[bozophobe]

Benny really was, noticeably, the most energetic player on either team for a stretch in the first half. On offense, the sudden upgrade was obviously unproductive (other than a field goal and free throw, initially, I think), but still a step forward. On defense, he re-introduced us all to simply trying really hard, and it seemed to open the door for what the rest of the team did later on. If Hakattack shows up with another one of those Top 3 thingies, I'm putting Benny at #2 or #3 (can't decide if Swider shined, or did what he ought to be doing more often) - I'm including his second half bench cheerleading, although Frank put on some moves that were even more out there.

 

[orangecuse]

Shooting comes and goes, but tonight Buddy put together the complete game. He had assists, more boards than a dead man (LOL), steals, deflections, and he took care of the ball with only one TO. He had good shot selection...I thought he only forced a couple and one of those actually went in for a three.

This is how he needs to play every game whether or not the shots are falling.

I had previously made a post criticizing Buddy for selfish play and lack of assists. Last night he was the epitome getting his while simultaneously being unselfish and finding his teammates. This is how he should be playing basketball and leading his team. It is now been proved that he can do that, so we as fans should not settle for less.

I liked the combined play of Jesse and Frank at the five...Swider was also taking and making good shots.

Good to see Symir back and looking healthy.

A nice recovery game for Joe after a couple of abysmal outings.

Lastly, we finally got a glimpse of what Benny might be able to bring to the table. Loved his energy. he still needs to find some O. His situation is interesting, most players need to earn court time w D, but Benny needs to become just enough of an O threat to keep em honest. I thought he did that today with some nice board crashing and a nice drive or two to the hole even though he didnt finish. The finishing will come.

Indeed, shooting comes and goes. And, it's more often to probably go (and typically does) when the match-ups are much more difficult and not as advantageous. Tonight, it was quite apparent, Buddy had a significant match up advantage, and the results supported same. He also mentioned it in the ACCN post game show when they interviewed him afterwards. Not just for him, but also for the team comprehensively, and it being a significant reason for the 94 point tally.

Where the team really struggles is when teams have favorable match up/personnel to create havoc for our guys, getting up in their grill, etc. resulting in our guys getting off kilter and out of sync because of their deficiencies and struggles to do much about it. That wasn't the case at all last night.

 

[Sherman20]

...of course it all start with the willingness to play the bench!!!!

Look, I’m thrilled that the bench got solid minutes and with their production in the first half, and Benny looked a lot more alive and active. But, correct me if I’m wrong, we got the separation and dominated in the second half with our starters in the game and Frank as the backup center. Benny should have gotten some minutes in the 2nd half once we were up by 15+ with less than 8 minutes left. But it was with the starting five out there when we really dominated. Again, not saying that JB shouldn’t play the bench.

 

[Manleymen]

Indeed, shooting comes and goes. And, it's more often to probably go (and typically does) when the match-ups are much more difficult and not as advantageous. Tonight, it was quite apparent, Buddy had a significant match up advantage, and the results supported same. He also mentioned it in the ACCN post game show when they interviewed him afterwards. Not just for him, but also for the team comprehensively, and it being a significant reason for the 94 point tally.

Where the team really struggles is when teams have favorable match up/personnel to create havoc for our guys, getting up in their grill, etc. resulting in our guys getting off kilter and out of sync because of their deficiencies and struggles to do much about it. That wasn't the case at all last night.

This is a really good post. When opponents get in our grill it destroys the rhythm of our shooters, a la Pittsburgh and Duke. Their is little we can do about it. It is very surprising most ACC teams do not follow that model. Or they simply do not have the bodies to pressure for a few minutes or a game. For the next 6 games we shall see if they learned anything about the Cuse and strategy to beat us.

 

[two3zone]

Don’t know why they didn’t defend him, weakest defense against our point guards all year. They didn’t even press when they were down. Mind boggling.

 

[two3zone]

Look, I’m thrilled that the bench got solid minutes and with their production in the first half, and Benny looked a lot more alive and active. But, correct me if I’m wrong, we got the separation and dominated in the second half with our starters in the game and Frank as the backup center. Benny should have gotten some minutes in the 2nd half once we were up by 15+ with less than 8 minutes left. But it was with the starting five out there when we really dominated. Again, not saying that JB shouldn’t play the bench.

Sure, but the basket was the size of a swimming pool for our guys, not saying it was wrong to keep them in but it doesn’t happen enough for us not to go to our bench when they aren’t shooting like they did yesterday.

 

[Sherman20]

Indeed, shooting comes and goes. And, it's more often to probably go (and typically does) when the match-ups are much more difficult and not as advantageous. Tonight, it was quite apparent, Buddy had a significant match up advantage, and the results supported same. He also mentioned it in the ACCN post game show when they interviewed him afterwards. Not just for him, but also for the team comprehensively, and it being a significant reason for the 94 point tally.

Where the team really struggles is when teams have favorable match up/personnel to create havoc for our guys, getting up in their grill, etc. resulting in our guys getting off kilter and out of sync because of their deficiencies and struggles to do much about it. That wasn't the case at all last night.

Hmmm... They tried lots of different players on Buddy, not just one guy. So not sure what you’re saying there. We did play smart and take advantage of individual matchups when they switched off screens or tried different defenders on Buddy, and credit goes to our players for finding and exploiting those matchup advantages.

 

[longtimefan]

Hmmm... They tried lots of different players on Buddy, not just one guy. So not sure what you’re saying there. We did play smart and take advantage of individual matchups when they switched off screens or tried different defenders on Buddy, and credit goes to our players for finding and exploiting those matchup advantages.

I think Swider did a good job of attacking his mismatches in the second half. I wish he would more often take his man into the lane, ala Buddy. He should be able to shoot over many of the opponents who try to guard him.

 

[orangecuse]

Hmmm... They tried lots of different players on Buddy, not just one guy. So not sure what you’re saying there. We did play smart and take advantage of individual matchups when they switched off screens or tried different defenders on Buddy, and credit goes to our players for finding and exploiting those matchup advantages.

It's really self explanatory.

I stated a large part of Buddy's success (and the team's overall) against Wake was due to match up advantages he/the team had. Buddy stated it himself in his post game presser how they liked/took advantage of it, which I also mentioned.

Whether they tried a lot of different players on Buddy it didn't matter and had little effect, as Wake did not have the personnel to match up and make a difference. Which, I never said they didn't try different guys on Buddy, nor not give our guys credit for exploiting those match up advantages all over the floor.

 

[AZOrange]

A couple of small things from a great performance:

Joe was a different player tonight for us. He played within the system. Of note was the full court drive and foul at the end of the half. I don’t think he’s ever had that mindset. It set the tone.

Benny, frank and SY brought great energy (and 10 points!). Sometimes playing a bench isn’t just about scoring or getting breathers but getting more people involved and more energy to the team. If you have 5 guys only playing, there is no bench energy. By contrast watch our bench when Benny blocks a shot or Frank suns one…