Much more fun posting in the postgame thread after a win.
-i’ve seen a lot of complaints about taking Jesse out of the game at the end of the first half. The kid had played an incredibly long stretch so I can see why JB wanted to rest him. Obviously Houston went on a run. But that is not why we lost the game.
-we lost because we scored 46 points. Jarreau’s defense on Buddy was exquisite. Even though he came in banged up he was outstanding defensively. As well as the rest of the team. Really nobody on our team performed well on the offensive end.
-Our bigs had opportunities but could not convert. We forced a number of terrible shots which we did not do in the first two rounds. Buddy was a big problem in that regard and I would have liked to have seen him recognize when he was open versus when he was forcing up incredibly difficult bad shots.
-The AG experience was one of the weirdest ones I have seen. The kid is so athletic and has a nice shot when set. He comes across well off the court but for some reason it always seems he is about getting his. This program has never been about that and maybe this was just a bad fit from the beginning. To go where he was earlier in the season to where he is now is a poor reflection on both the player and the staff. Somebody should have been able to figure something out. But how is that kid still taking bad shots?
-ironically AG actually went to the basket on a couple of occasions and finally got back to the foul line where he can do damage.
-nitpicking here but I was a little disappointed in Kadary’s effort in the final few minutes. Young kid I understand but you have to play to the gun.
-as JB said there will be guys in the portal but it is all about Kadary. He has every right to believe he should be starting and playing 30 minutes and it is up to the staff to keep him from leaving. If they have to tell Joe he is coming off the bench next year that is what they have to.
-I could have done without JB‘s Snark at the press conference particularly the veiled shot at the three guys who left last year. I know he was disappointed but he should be better than that.
-Looking ahead to next year if we can have a core of Buddy, Kadary, Q, Williams, Jesse, Braswell, JG3 and a transfer big who can board, that can be a really good team. I also expect Frank to be a contributor. This was always supposed to be a borderline redshirt year for him.
-I really admire Braswell for having the season he did. But he has to learn how to put the ball on the floor as he was exposed last night.
-Marek was not perfect but he was a great Orangeman who helped us win a ton of games and played with great heart. I don’t know what else he can accomplish at Syracuse and my guess is that he leaves to go play at home for money. I also assume with no inside information that the following will not be back: Bourama, AG, Woody, maybe JBA and someone who will surprise us. The transfer rule will really hurt the college game. Woody is a perfect example of a guy who should be like Kris Joseph, work hard, earn his minutes and wait his turn and become a great player here. It wasn’t like he was a five-star recruit who came in and expected to play big minutes. But these kids want to play immediately and my guess is that he leaves which bums me out because he is just the type of 4 year player I want us to have.
-What a ride this season has been. All those early season battles versus Bryant, Northeastern, the Buffalo AG block game, the ACC ups and downs. We were done like dinner after Georgia Tech. And somehow we went on a run which ended up with beating two really good teams in the tournament and getting to the Sweet 16.
-Finally this board is great. I really enjoy interacting with you guys. We all are crazy about this team and live and die with each possession. We know who the true fans are and this board is a tremendous resource and community those of us who really care about our program.
