Quick observations from last night's game

[RF2044]

The tune-up section of the schedule went about as well as it could have, with all 9 players in our rotation getting a heavy dose of minutes. Things get a bit more challenging from here on out, after last night's 40+ point win.

Here area couple of random observations from last night's game:

• Our point guards are unbelievably entertaining to watch -- Both Franklin Howard and John Gillon have emerged as potentially difference making playmakers, scorers, and shooters. Who would have thought that before the season began? These two having to compete against each other every day in practice was HUGE for their mutual development, and overall readiness.

• Roberson is almost a forgotten man -- Lost amongst the binge scoring of AWIII and Lydon, the dynamic playmaking of Howard / Gillon, and the eye opening capabilities of frosh Tauren Thompson is two year starter Tyler Roberson, who has quietly put together a solid preseason. At the end of the game, there he was scoring 13 points, just an eyelash behind the other leading scorers on this team. Much more offensively assertive than in previous years, the perpetually unselfish Roberson seems poised for a big year, even though he defers and cedes shots to his more trigger happy teammates. He's finishing better inside he's looking for his shot, and he's not hesitating / overthinking when he gets the ball inside. Him adding a low post / inside scoring dimension that was lacking from last year's team is going to make this team that much more difficult to defend. He's also a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, after being atrocious there last year. Look for Roberson to emerge as a much more consistent scoring threat as the lineup stabilizes. Speaking of scoring...

• From a scoring perspective, this team is LOADED -- What a refreshing change after years of anemic offensive play! This team has it all--multiple shooters, guys who can drive, inside scorers. And last night's balanced scoring highlights the dilemma that the opposition will have--how do you game plan to defend us, when everyone can score effectively? To wit--from our 9 player rotation, we have 6 guys who are legitimately capable of scoring 20+ any given night [Lydon, White, Gillon, Battle, Roberson, and Howard]. 8 of our 9 are capable of scoring in double digits, with only Chukwu as a non scorer. Think about how amazing that is. Lots of weapons.

• The three point shooting has been scintillating -- 5 guys shooting over 39% from three point range. Now obviously, such superlative shooting likely won't continue at such a prolific clip over the long haul, but it just goes to show the offensive diversification we have. Coupled with enough inside scoring to keep defenses honest, floor spacing should enable guys to have open looks -- and we have the personnel to capitalize.

• Thompson continues to excel -- Last year, Tyler Lydon garnered huge minutes as a frosh big capable of contributing at a high level -- and his ability to do so was a godsend. This year, Thompson has opened eyes with his jump shot and ability to finish in the paint with either hand. He's going to play this year. A lot.

• Depth at the power positions is exceptional -- In marked contrast to last year, this team has an embarrassment of riches at the power positions. Last year, we had an unproven Coleman who generally had limited effectiveness, an inconsistent Roberson, and a frosh who could be pushed around defensively. This year, Lydon and Roberson have added 10 pounds of good weight, which will help them battle inside in the ACC. Coleman is what he is, but he's also got the experience of a final four run under his belt. We have a 7-2 guy and we have a 6-10 frosh who is making the case for extended PT. Last year, we got big boy'd by the likes of UNC and Wisconsin, and didn't have the horses to match up. This year, we do. We have an airport team this season, and they can all play.

• JB is feeding Chukwu extended PT to get him ready -- The sense I got from yesterday's game is that JB is intentionally infusing Chukwu with a dose of extra playing time to get him ready and help shake off the ring rust from sitting out a year. And last night, Chukwu responded with his best game of the season, in my opinion. The results might not always be pretty, but Chukwu could prove to be a difference maker defensively, for 15 minutes per game.

• The return of the super scoring sub -- Since 2010, our team has really benefited by having the luxury of bringing double-figure caliber scorers off of the bench. What a freaking luxury! In 2010, it was KJo and Scoop; in 2012, it was Dion / CJ / Southerland. In some cases, the guys coming into the game were even better than the starters they were replacing. We had a bit of a drought in 2013 / 2014 in that regard, but we are DEFINITELY back to that now. Gillon, Battle, and Thompson offer a lot of firepower off of the bench. We also won't be locked into having an "off" night from a starter; given our depth, JB can replace an underperforming player with another bench guy [or two] who can get the job done.

• The Howard / Gillon combo looks pretty good -- When I attended the Colgate game two weeks ago, you could see that the two PGs were competing for PT, and weren't on the same page. Each possession was like a contest of one-upsmanship [I'm overstating this a bit], and during a brief stint when they were on the court together, I noticed that Howard wouldn't pass the ball to Gillon. Not claiming that he was intentionally freezing him out, but whichever side of the court Gillon was on, Howard dribbled / passed the ball to the opposite side. Last night was different, when they played together, they were quickly passing it back and forth to one anther, and it looked like some of the competitive dynamic has given way to solid chemistry. More importantly, this combo gives JB not only a press breaking tandem extraordinaire, but also another option to throw at the opposition. And with both of these guys showing that they can shoot in addition to making plays for themselves and others off of the bounce, this combo is viable.

• Now, the games get real -- We're not out of the preseason portion of the schedule yet, but beginning Saturday, the games will get a lot tougher. Saturday's game against South Carolina and a true road contest @ Wisconsin will test our squad. We're integrating a lot of new faces, and haven't been challenged yet, so understandably some will be wringing their hands wondering if we are up tot he challenge. Keep this in mind: four of the players in our rotation played in last year's final four [Coleman, Lydon, Roberson, and Howard]. Two of our guys are 5th year guys [White / Gillon]. This team ABSOLUTELY has room to grow / improve / show better chemistry, but the leadership and experience from this nucleus mentioned above is something our squad will be able to lean on playing in hostile environments.

• Things aren't all good -- Despite all of the reasons to be excited, this team still has a lot of developmental opportunities. Free throw shooting needs to improve. We need to do a better job [perpetually] on the defensive boards. We commit too many unforced turnovers. Battle hasn't emerged as swiftly as I thought he would. And it doesn't feel like the offensive chemistry is fully there in terms of who should shoot when, etc. ALL OF THAT SAID, we're still beating teams by 20, 30, 40 points. After all of the rock fights we've had to endure the better part of the last couple of seasons, this group can put the rock in the basket.

• Deja Vu all over again? -- This team gets compared a lot to the 2012 squad, and the comparison makes sense on a lot of levels due to the depth, the number of players capable of contributing at a high level, the positional versatility, and the expanded rotation. But this team has a lot more offensive potential than the 2012 team - especially with regards to inside scoring and consistent three point shooting. The 2012 team made it to the Elite 8 [after the Fab Melo suspension], and this team has the potential to get that far or even further in the tournament if they continue to play well, improve, and develop. It is a good time to be a Syracuse fan!

Let's Go Orange!!!

 

[IthacaMatt]

The tune-up section of the schedule went about as well as it could have, with all 9 players in our rotation getting a heavy dose of minutes. Things get a bit more challenging from here on out, after last night's 40+ point win.

Here area couple of random observations from last night's game:

• Our point guards are unbelievably entertaining to watch -- Both Franklin Howard and John Gillon have emerged as potentially difference making playmakers, scorers, and shooters. Who would have thought that before the season began? These two having to compete against each other every day in practice was HUGE for their mutual development, and overall readiness.

• Roberson is almost a forgotten man -- Lost amongst the binge scoring of AWIII and Lydon, the dynamic playmaking of Howard / Gillon, and the eye opening capabilities of frosh Tauren Thompson is two year starter Tyler Roberson, who has quietly put together a solid preseason. Much more offensively assertive than in previous years, the perpetually unselfish Roberson seems poised for a big year, even though he defers and cedes shots to his more trigger happy teammates. He's finishing better inside he's looking for his shot, and he's not hesitating / overthinking when he gets the ball inside. Him adding a low post / inside scoring dimension that was lacking from last year's team is going to make this team that much more difficult to defend. He's also a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, after being atrocious there last year. Look for Roberson to emerge as a much more consistent scoring threat as the lineup stabilizes. Speaking of scoring...

• From a scoring perspective, this team is LOADED -- What a refreshing change after years of anemic offensive play! This team has it all--multiple shooters, guys who can drive, inside scorers. And last night's balanced scoring highlights the dilemma that the opposition will have--how do you game plan to defend us, when everyone can score effectively? To wit--from our 9 player rotation, we have 6 guys who are legitimately capable of scoring 20+ any given night [Lydon, White, Gillon, Battle, Roberson, and Howard]. 8 of our 9 are capable of scoring in double digits, with only Chukwu as a non scorer. Think about how amazing that is. Lots of weapons.

• The three point shooting has been scintillating -- 5 guys shooting over 39% from three point range. Now obviously, such superlative shooting likely won't continue at such a prolific clip over the long haul, but it just goes to show the offensive diversification we have. Coupled with enough inside scoring to keep defenses honest, floor spacing should enable guys to have open looks -- and we have the personnel to capitalize.

• Thompson continues to excel -- Last year, Tyler Lydon garnered huge minutes as a frosh big capable of contributing at a high level -- and his ability to do so was a godsend. This year, Thompson has opened eyes with his jump shot and ability to finish in the paint with either hand. He's going to play this year. A lot.

• Depth at the power positions is exceptional -- In marked contrast to last year, this team has an embarrassment of riches at the power positions. Last year, we had an unproven Coleman who generally had limited effectiveness, an inconsistent Roberson, and a frosh who could be pushed around defensively. This year, Lydon and Roberson have added 10 pounds of good weight, which will help them battle inside in the ACC. Coleman is what he is, but he's also got the experience of a final four run under his belt. We have a 7-2 guy and we have a 6-10 frosh who is making the case for extended PT. Last year, we got big boy'd by the likes of UNC and Wisconsin, and didn't have the horses to match up. This year, we do. We have an airport team this season, and they can all play.

• JB is feeding Chukwu extended PT to get him ready -- The sense I got from yesterday's game is that JB is intentionally infusing Chukwu with a dose of extra playing time to get him ready and help shake off the ring rust from sitting out a year. And last night, Chukwu responded with his best game of the season, in my opinion. The results might not always be pretty, but Chukwu could prove to be a difference maker defensively, for 15 minutes per game.

• The Howard / Gillon combo looks pretty good -- When I attended the Colgate game two weeks ago, you could see that the two PGs were competing for PT, and weren't on the same page. Each possession was like a contest of one-upsmanship [I'm overstating this a bit], and during a brief stint when they were on the court together, I noticed that Howard wouldn't pass the ball to Gillon. Not claiming that he was intentionally freezing him out, but whichever side of the court Gillon was on, Howard dribbled / passed the ball to the opposite side. Last night was different, when they played together, they were quickly passing it back and forth to one anther, and it looked like some of the competitive dynamic has given way to solid chemistry. More importantly, this combo gives JB not only a press breaking tandem extraordinaire, but also another option to throw at the opposition. And with both of these guys showing that they can shoot in addition to making plays for themselves and others off of the bounce, this combo is viable.

• Now, the games get real -- We're not out of the preseason portion of the schedule yet, but beginning Saturday, the games will get a lot tougher. Saturday's game against South Carolina and a true road contest @ Wisconsin will test our squad. We're integrating a lot of new faces, and haven't been challenged yet, so understandably some will be wringing their hands wondering if we are up tot he challenge. Keep this in mind: three of the players in our rotation played in last year's final four [Coleman, Lydon, and Howard]. Two of our guys are 5th year guys [White / Gillon]. This team ABSOLUTELY has room to grow / improve / show better chemistry, but the leadership and experience from this nucleus mentioned above is something our squad will be able to lean on playing in hostile environments.

• Things aren't all good -- Despite all of the reasons to be excited, this team still has a lot of developmental opportunities. Free throw shooting needs to improve. We need to do a better job [perpetually] on the defensive boards. We commit too many unforced turnovers. Battle hasn't emerged as swiftly as I thought he would. And it doesn't feel like the offensive chemistry is fully there in terms of who should shoot when, etc. ALL OF THAT SAID, we're still beating teams by 20, 30, 40 points. After all of the rock fights we've had to endure the better part of the last couple of seasons, this group can put the rock in the basket.

• Deja Vu all over again? -- This team gets compared a lot to the 2012 squad, and the comparison makes sense on a lot of levels due to the depth, the number of players capable of contributing at a high level, the positional versatility, and the expanded rotation. But this team has a lot more offensive potential than the 2012 team - especially with regards to inside scoring and consistent three point shooting. The 2012 team made it to the Elite 8 [after the Fab Melo suspension], and this team has the potential to get that far or even further in the tournament if they continue to play well, improve, and develop. It is a good time to be a Syracuse fan!

Let's Go Orange!!!

Terrific post! Very entertaining read. I agree with pretty much everything you said. One thing I will add - even though this was the "easy" part of the pre-season, that Monmouth win was worth something. They won 28 games last year and returned 4 out of 5 starters from that team (and obviously thought they should have made the NCAA tournament instead of us). So that was a quality win.

Also, even though the pre-conference games now step up in difficulty, there will also be a couple cupcakes during exam week and whenever we wind up playing during the holiday week. (Too lazy to look it up now.)

This team is coming together nicely. Lots of answers on the bench, if anyone on the floor is not playing up to their potential.

 

[bballbeadle]

I particularly loved what you had to say about Robey and the Gillon/Franklin duo. I hadn't thought about watching last night's game, but since I have some time this afternoon, I think I will and pay particular attention to what you noticed about their cooperative effort.

Great write up!

 

[RF2044]

Terrific post! Very entertaining read. I agree with pretty much everything you said. One thing I will add - even though this was the "easy" part of the pre-season, that Monmouth win was worth something. They won 28 games last year and returned 4 out of 5 starters from that team (and obviously thought they should have made the NCAA tournament instead of us). So that was a quality win.

Also, even though the pre-conference games now step up in difficulty, there will also be a couple cupcakes during exam week and whenever we wind up playing during the holiday week. (Too lazy to look it up now.)

This team is coming together nicely. Lots of answers on the bench, if anyone on the floor is not playing up to their potential.

Agree 100%. It is really interesting to think about how much this team can still improve.

Just how much they do will determine how much of their immense potential they actualize, and how far they go in March / April.

 

[Doc5120]

The tune-up section of the schedule went about as well as it could have, with all 9 players in our rotation getting a heavy dose of minutes. Things get a bit more challenging from here on out, after last night's 40+ point win.

Here area couple of random observations from last night's game:

• Our point guards are unbelievably entertaining to watch -- Both Franklin Howard and John Gillon have emerged as potentially difference making playmakers, scorers, and shooters. Who would have thought that before the season began? These two having to compete against each other every day in practice was HUGE for their mutual development, and overall readiness.

• Roberson is almost a forgotten man -- Lost amongst the binge scoring of AWIII and Lydon, the dynamic playmaking of Howard / Gillon, and the eye opening capabilities of frosh Tauren Thompson is two year starter Tyler Roberson, who has quietly put together a solid preseason. Much more offensively assertive than in previous years, the perpetually unselfish Roberson seems poised for a big year, even though he defers and cedes shots to his more trigger happy teammates. He's finishing better inside he's looking for his shot, and he's not hesitating / overthinking when he gets the ball inside. Him adding a low post / inside scoring dimension that was lacking from last year's team is going to make this team that much more difficult to defend. He's also a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, after being atrocious there last year. Look for Roberson to emerge as a much more consistent scoring threat as the lineup stabilizes. Speaking of scoring...

• From a scoring perspective, this team is LOADED -- What a refreshing change after years of anemic offensive play! This team has it all--multiple shooters, guys who can drive, inside scorers. And last night's balanced scoring highlights the dilemma that the opposition will have--how do you game plan to defend us, when everyone can score effectively? To wit--from our 9 player rotation, we have 6 guys who are legitimately capable of scoring 20+ any given night [Lydon, White, Gillon, Battle, Roberson, and Howard]. 8 of our 9 are capable of scoring in double digits, with only Chukwu as a non scorer. Think about how amazing that is. Lots of weapons.

• The three point shooting has been scintillating -- 5 guys shooting over 39% from three point range. Now obviously, such superlative shooting likely won't continue at such a prolific clip over the long haul, but it just goes to show the offensive diversification we have. Coupled with enough inside scoring to keep defenses honest, floor spacing should enable guys to have open looks -- and we have the personnel to capitalize.

• Thompson continues to excel -- Last year, Tyler Lydon garnered huge minutes as a frosh big capable of contributing at a high level -- and his ability to do so was a godsend. This year, Thompson has opened eyes with his jump shot and ability to finish in the paint with either hand. He's going to play this year. A lot.

• Depth at the power positions is exceptional -- In marked contrast to last year, this team has an embarrassment of riches at the power positions. Last year, we had an unproven Coleman who generally had limited effectiveness, an inconsistent Roberson, and a frosh who could be pushed around defensively. This year, Lydon and Roberson have added 10 pounds of good weight, which will help them battle inside in the ACC. Coleman is what he is, but he's also got the experience of a final four run under his belt. We have a 7-2 guy and we have a 6-10 frosh who is making the case for extended PT. Last year, we got big boy'd by the likes of UNC and Wisconsin, and didn't have the horses to match up. This year, we do. We have an airport team this season, and they can all play.

• JB is feeding Chukwu extended PT to get him ready -- The sense I got from yesterday's game is that JB is intentionally infusing Chukwu with a dose of extra playing time to get him ready and help shake off the ring rust from sitting out a year. And last night, Chukwu responded with his best game of the season, in my opinion. The results might not always be pretty, but Chukwu could prove to be a difference maker defensively, for 15 minutes per game.

• The return of the super scoring sub -- Since 2010, our team has really benefited by having the luxury of bringing double-figure caliber scorers off of the bench. What a freaking luxury! In 2010, it was KJo and Scoop; in 2012, it was Dion / CJ / Southerland. In some cases, the guys coming into the game were even better than the starters they were replacing. We had a bit of a drought in 2013 / 2014 in that regard, but we are DEFINITELY back to that now. Gillon, Battle, and Thompson offer a lot of firepower off of the bench. We also won't be locked into having an "off" night from a starter; given our depth, JB can replace an underperforming player with another bench guy [or two] who can get the job done.

• The Howard / Gillon combo looks pretty good -- When I attended the Colgate game two weeks ago, you could see that the two PGs were competing for PT, and weren't on the same page. Each possession was like a contest of one-upsmanship [I'm overstating this a bit], and during a brief stint when they were on the court together, I noticed that Howard wouldn't pass the ball to Gillon. Not claiming that he was intentionally freezing him out, but whichever side of the court Gillon was on, Howard dribbled / passed the ball to the opposite side. Last night was different, when they played together, they were quickly passing it back and forth to one anther, and it looked like some of the competitive dynamic has given way to solid chemistry. More importantly, this combo gives JB not only a press breaking tandem extraordinaire, but also another option to throw at the opposition. And with both of these guys showing that they can shoot in addition to making plays for themselves and others off of the bounce, this combo is viable.

• Now, the games get real -- We're not out of the preseason portion of the schedule yet, but beginning Saturday, the games will get a lot tougher. Saturday's game against South Carolina and a true road contest @ Wisconsin will test our squad. We're integrating a lot of new faces, and haven't been challenged yet, so understandably some will be wringing their hands wondering if we are up tot he challenge. Keep this in mind: three of the players in our rotation played in last year's final four [Coleman, Lydon, and Howard]. Two of our guys are 5th year guys [White / Gillon]. This team ABSOLUTELY has room to grow / improve / show better chemistry, but the leadership and experience from this nucleus mentioned above is something our squad will be able to lean on playing in hostile environments.

• Things aren't all good -- Despite all of the reasons to be excited, this team still has a lot of developmental opportunities. Free throw shooting needs to improve. We need to do a better job [perpetually] on the defensive boards. We commit too many unforced turnovers. Battle hasn't emerged as swiftly as I thought he would. And it doesn't feel like the offensive chemistry is fully there in terms of who should shoot when, etc. ALL OF THAT SAID, we're still beating teams by 20, 30, 40 points. After all of the rock fights we've had to endure the better part of the last couple of seasons, this group can put the rock in the basket.

• Deja Vu all over again? -- This team gets compared a lot to the 2012 squad, and the comparison makes sense on a lot of levels due to the depth, the number of players capable of contributing at a high level, the positional versatility, and the expanded rotation. But this team has a lot more offensive potential than the 2012 team - especially with regards to inside scoring and consistent three point shooting. The 2012 team made it to the Elite 8 [after the Fab Melo suspension], and this team has the potential to get that far or even further in the tournament if they continue to play well, improve, and develop. It is a good time to be a Syracuse fan!

Let's Go Orange!!!

For me the biggest surprise is Thompson. I had no idea he could shoot the ball out to 15-17 feet. I also didn't realize how polished he is. I expected a guy who could go in, play a little defense and grab a few rebounds. He's a legitimate threat, which helps open things up for the rest of the guys on the court. This team is loaded.

 

[omniorange]

RF if I could "like" your post a hundred times I would. But one minor correction, we have 4 players in the rotation who played in our Final Four run. You forgot Robey.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[RF2044]

RF if I could "like" your post a hundred times I would. But one minor correction, we have 4 players in the rotation who played in our Final Four run. You forgot Robey.

Cheers,
Neil

Thank you, sir -- high praise coming from you

And how the heck did I mess that up? Thanks for the correction!

Edit--updated above.

 

[SUMBA]

Thank you, sir -- high praise coming from you

And how the heck did I mess that up? Thanks for the correction!

Edit--updated above.

Because he is the forgotten man...duh.....

Nice write up

 

[RF2044]

Because he is the forgotten man...duh...

Nice write up

:rolling:

That was great--well done!

 

[AZOrange]

Agree with pretty much everything...but the turnovers. I think we had 10. We don't turn it over much and when we do it's generally the bigs

 

[MSOrange]

For me the biggest surprise is Thompson. I had no idea he could shoot the ball out to 15-17 feet. I also didn't realize how polished he is. I expected a guy who could go in, play a little defense and grab a few rebounds. He's a legitimate threat, which helps open things up for the rest of the guys on the court. This team is loaded.

I can't help but think that some of that is the product of good coaching in high school under Hurley Sr. But there is also a lot of flat out natural talent because Terrence Roberts was also coached by Hurley Sr. No offense to Terrence but I already like Taurean's game more than I ever did his.

 

[Eric15]

The tune-up section of the schedule went about as well as it could have, with all 9 players in our rotation getting a heavy dose of minutes. Things get a bit more challenging from here on out, after last night's 40+ point win.

Here area couple of random observations from last night's game:

• Our point guards are unbelievably entertaining to watch -- Both Franklin Howard and John Gillon have emerged as potentially difference making playmakers, scorers, and shooters. Who would have thought that before the season began? These two having to compete against each other every day in practice was HUGE for their mutual development, and overall readiness.

• Roberson is almost a forgotten man -- Lost amongst the binge scoring of AWIII and Lydon, the dynamic playmaking of Howard / Gillon, and the eye opening capabilities of frosh Tauren Thompson is two year starter Tyler Roberson, who has quietly put together a solid preseason. At the end of the game, there he was scoring 13 points, just an eyelash behind the other leading scorers on this team. Much more offensively assertive than in previous years, the perpetually unselfish Roberson seems poised for a big year, even though he defers and cedes shots to his more trigger happy teammates. He's finishing better inside he's looking for his shot, and he's not hesitating / overthinking when he gets the ball inside. Him adding a low post / inside scoring dimension that was lacking from last year's team is going to make this team that much more difficult to defend. He's also a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, after being atrocious there last year. Look for Roberson to emerge as a much more consistent scoring threat as the lineup stabilizes. Speaking of scoring...

• From a scoring perspective, this team is LOADED -- What a refreshing change after years of anemic offensive play! This team has it all--multiple shooters, guys who can drive, inside scorers. And last night's balanced scoring highlights the dilemma that the opposition will have--how do you game plan to defend us, when everyone can score effectively? To wit--from our 9 player rotation, we have 6 guys who are legitimately capable of scoring 20+ any given night [Lydon, White, Gillon, Battle, Roberson, and Howard]. 8 of our 9 are capable of scoring in double digits, with only Chukwu as a non scorer. Think about how amazing that is. Lots of weapons.

• The three point shooting has been scintillating -- 5 guys shooting over 39% from three point range. Now obviously, such superlative shooting likely won't continue at such a prolific clip over the long haul, but it just goes to show the offensive diversification we have. Coupled with enough inside scoring to keep defenses honest, floor spacing should enable guys to have open looks -- and we have the personnel to capitalize.

• Thompson continues to excel -- Last year, Tyler Lydon garnered huge minutes as a frosh big capable of contributing at a high level -- and his ability to do so was a godsend. This year, Thompson has opened eyes with his jump shot and ability to finish in the paint with either hand. He's going to play this year. A lot.

• Depth at the power positions is exceptional -- In marked contrast to last year, this team has an embarrassment of riches at the power positions. Last year, we had an unproven Coleman who generally had limited effectiveness, an inconsistent Roberson, and a frosh who could be pushed around defensively. This year, Lydon and Roberson have added 10 pounds of good weight, which will help them battle inside in the ACC. Coleman is what he is, but he's also got the experience of a final four run under his belt. We have a 7-2 guy and we have a 6-10 frosh who is making the case for extended PT. Last year, we got big boy'd by the likes of UNC and Wisconsin, and didn't have the horses to match up. This year, we do. We have an airport team this season, and they can all play.

• JB is feeding Chukwu extended PT to get him ready -- The sense I got from yesterday's game is that JB is intentionally infusing Chukwu with a dose of extra playing time to get him ready and help shake off the ring rust from sitting out a year. And last night, Chukwu responded with his best game of the season, in my opinion. The results might not always be pretty, but Chukwu could prove to be a difference maker defensively, for 15 minutes per game.

• The return of the super scoring sub -- Since 2010, our team has really benefited by having the luxury of bringing double-figure caliber scorers off of the bench. What a freaking luxury! In 2010, it was KJo and Scoop; in 2012, it was Dion / CJ / Southerland. In some cases, the guys coming into the game were even better than the starters they were replacing. We had a bit of a drought in 2013 / 2014 in that regard, but we are DEFINITELY back to that now. Gillon, Battle, and Thompson offer a lot of firepower off of the bench. We also won't be locked into having an "off" night from a starter; given our depth, JB can replace an underperforming player with another bench guy [or two] who can get the job done.

• The Howard / Gillon combo looks pretty good -- When I attended the Colgate game two weeks ago, you could see that the two PGs were competing for PT, and weren't on the same page. Each possession was like a contest of one-upsmanship [I'm overstating this a bit], and during a brief stint when they were on the court together, I noticed that Howard wouldn't pass the ball to Gillon. Not claiming that he was intentionally freezing him out, but whichever side of the court Gillon was on, Howard dribbled / passed the ball to the opposite side. Last night was different, when they played together, they were quickly passing it back and forth to one anther, and it looked like some of the competitive dynamic has given way to solid chemistry. More importantly, this combo gives JB not only a press breaking tandem extraordinaire, but also another option to throw at the opposition. And with both of these guys showing that they can shoot in addition to making plays for themselves and others off of the bounce, this combo is viable.

• Now, the games get real -- We're not out of the preseason portion of the schedule yet, but beginning Saturday, the games will get a lot tougher. Saturday's game against South Carolina and a true road contest @ Wisconsin will test our squad. We're integrating a lot of new faces, and haven't been challenged yet, so understandably some will be wringing their hands wondering if we are up tot he challenge. Keep this in mind: four of the players in our rotation played in last year's final four [Coleman, Lydon, Roberson, and Howard]. Two of our guys are 5th year guys [White / Gillon]. This team ABSOLUTELY has room to grow / improve / show better chemistry, but the leadership and experience from this nucleus mentioned above is something our squad will be able to lean on playing in hostile environments.

• Things aren't all good -- Despite all of the reasons to be excited, this team still has a lot of developmental opportunities. Free throw shooting needs to improve. We need to do a better job [perpetually] on the defensive boards. We commit too many unforced turnovers. Battle hasn't emerged as swiftly as I thought he would. And it doesn't feel like the offensive chemistry is fully there in terms of who should shoot when, etc. ALL OF THAT SAID, we're still beating teams by 20, 30, 40 points. After all of the rock fights we've had to endure the better part of the last couple of seasons, this group can put the rock in the basket.

• Deja Vu all over again? -- This team gets compared a lot to the 2012 squad, and the comparison makes sense on a lot of levels due to the depth, the number of players capable of contributing at a high level, the positional versatility, and the expanded rotation. But this team has a lot more offensive potential than the 2012 team - especially with regards to inside scoring and consistent three point shooting. The 2012 team made it to the Elite 8 [after the Fab Melo suspension], and this team has the potential to get that far or even further in the tournament if they continue to play well, improve, and develop. It is a good time to be a Syracuse fan!

Let's Go Orange!!!

You are to aesthetically pleasing and well-formatted posts what George Gervin was to the finger-roll.

 

[NKR1978]

Agree with pretty much everything...but the turnovers. I think we had 10. We don't turn it over much and when we do it's generally the bigs

It feels like the turnovers come in bunches, which make them more frustrating. We'll be fine and then have a 5 possession stretch with 3 turnovers and 2 misses.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

I particularly loved what you had to say about Robey and the Gillon/Franklin duo. I hadn't thought about watching last night's game, but since I have some time this afternoon, I think I will and pay particular attention to what you noticed about their cooperative effort.

Great write up!

Robey is playing great. Looks like he is having fun and is playing a more complete game because of it. He has had monster games in the past but his game seems much more complete.

When we had that spurt in the second half, you could see genuine smiles on the faces of the players. Everyone loves to win and I'm sure we will have some times it won't be all fun and games. But, now is a great time to be a fan of the Syracuse Orangemen. Amazing what some talent, maturity, experience mixed with youth and depth does to a program. A lot to be thankful for.

 

[tbonezone]

at this point given the rotations we've seen battle looks like he's coming off the bench. is he comfortable with that ? and how does it affect his play?

 

[billsin01]

The tune-up section of the schedule went about as well as it could have, with all 9 players in our rotation getting a heavy dose of minutes. Things get a bit more challenging from here on out, after last night's 40+ point win.

Here area couple of random observations from last night's game:

• Our point guards are unbelievably entertaining to watch -- Both Franklin Howard and John Gillon have emerged as potentially difference making playmakers, scorers, and shooters. Who would have thought that before the season began? These two having to compete against each other every day in practice was HUGE for their mutual development, and overall readiness.

• Roberson is almost a forgotten man -- Lost amongst the binge scoring of AWIII and Lydon, the dynamic playmaking of Howard / Gillon, and the eye opening capabilities of frosh Tauren Thompson is two year starter Tyler Roberson, who has quietly put together a solid preseason. At the end of the game, there he was scoring 13 points, just an eyelash behind the other leading scorers on this team. Much more offensively assertive than in previous years, the perpetually unselfish Roberson seems poised for a big year, even though he defers and cedes shots to his more trigger happy teammates. He's finishing better inside he's looking for his shot, and he's not hesitating / overthinking when he gets the ball inside. Him adding a low post / inside scoring dimension that was lacking from last year's team is going to make this team that much more difficult to defend. He's also a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, after being atrocious there last year. Look for Roberson to emerge as a much more consistent scoring threat as the lineup stabilizes. Speaking of scoring...

• From a scoring perspective, this team is LOADED -- What a refreshing change after years of anemic offensive play! This team has it all--multiple shooters, guys who can drive, inside scorers. And last night's balanced scoring highlights the dilemma that the opposition will have--how do you game plan to defend us, when everyone can score effectively? To wit--from our 9 player rotation, we have 6 guys who are legitimately capable of scoring 20+ any given night [Lydon, White, Gillon, Battle, Roberson, and Howard]. 8 of our 9 are capable of scoring in double digits, with only Chukwu as a non scorer. Think about how amazing that is. Lots of weapons.

• The three point shooting has been scintillating -- 5 guys shooting over 39% from three point range. Now obviously, such superlative shooting likely won't continue at such a prolific clip over the long haul, but it just goes to show the offensive diversification we have. Coupled with enough inside scoring to keep defenses honest, floor spacing should enable guys to have open looks -- and we have the personnel to capitalize.

• Thompson continues to excel -- Last year, Tyler Lydon garnered huge minutes as a frosh big capable of contributing at a high level -- and his ability to do so was a godsend. This year, Thompson has opened eyes with his jump shot and ability to finish in the paint with either hand. He's going to play this year. A lot.

• Depth at the power positions is exceptional -- In marked contrast to last year, this team has an embarrassment of riches at the power positions. Last year, we had an unproven Coleman who generally had limited effectiveness, an inconsistent Roberson, and a frosh who could be pushed around defensively. This year, Lydon and Roberson have added 10 pounds of good weight, which will help them battle inside in the ACC. Coleman is what he is, but he's also got the experience of a final four run under his belt. We have a 7-2 guy and we have a 6-10 frosh who is making the case for extended PT. Last year, we got big boy'd by the likes of UNC and Wisconsin, and didn't have the horses to match up. This year, we do. We have an airport team this season, and they can all play.

• JB is feeding Chukwu extended PT to get him ready -- The sense I got from yesterday's game is that JB is intentionally infusing Chukwu with a dose of extra playing time to get him ready and help shake off the ring rust from sitting out a year. And last night, Chukwu responded with his best game of the season, in my opinion. The results might not always be pretty, but Chukwu could prove to be a difference maker defensively, for 15 minutes per game.

• The return of the super scoring sub -- Since 2010, our team has really benefited by having the luxury of bringing double-figure caliber scorers off of the bench. What a freaking luxury! In 2010, it was KJo and Scoop; in 2012, it was Dion / CJ / Southerland. In some cases, the guys coming into the game were even better than the starters they were replacing. We had a bit of a drought in 2013 / 2014 in that regard, but we are DEFINITELY back to that now. Gillon, Battle, and Thompson offer a lot of firepower off of the bench. We also won't be locked into having an "off" night from a starter; given our depth, JB can replace an underperforming player with another bench guy [or two] who can get the job done.

• The Howard / Gillon combo looks pretty good -- When I attended the Colgate game two weeks ago, you could see that the two PGs were competing for PT, and weren't on the same page. Each possession was like a contest of one-upsmanship [I'm overstating this a bit], and during a brief stint when they were on the court together, I noticed that Howard wouldn't pass the ball to Gillon. Not claiming that he was intentionally freezing him out, but whichever side of the court Gillon was on, Howard dribbled / passed the ball to the opposite side. Last night was different, when they played together, they were quickly passing it back and forth to one anther, and it looked like some of the competitive dynamic has given way to solid chemistry. More importantly, this combo gives JB not only a press breaking tandem extraordinaire, but also another option to throw at the opposition. And with both of these guys showing that they can shoot in addition to making plays for themselves and others off of the bounce, this combo is viable.

• Now, the games get real -- We're not out of the preseason portion of the schedule yet, but beginning Saturday, the games will get a lot tougher. Saturday's game against South Carolina and a true road contest @ Wisconsin will test our squad. We're integrating a lot of new faces, and haven't been challenged yet, so understandably some will be wringing their hands wondering if we are up tot he challenge. Keep this in mind: four of the players in our rotation played in last year's final four [Coleman, Lydon, Roberson, and Howard]. Two of our guys are 5th year guys [White / Gillon]. This team ABSOLUTELY has room to grow / improve / show better chemistry, but the leadership and experience from this nucleus mentioned above is something our squad will be able to lean on playing in hostile environments.

• Things aren't all good -- Despite all of the reasons to be excited, this team still has a lot of developmental opportunities. Free throw shooting needs to improve. We need to do a better job [perpetually] on the defensive boards. We commit too many unforced turnovers. Battle hasn't emerged as swiftly as I thought he would. And it doesn't feel like the offensive chemistry is fully there in terms of who should shoot when, etc. ALL OF THAT SAID, we're still beating teams by 20, 30, 40 points. After all of the rock fights we've had to endure the better part of the last couple of seasons, this group can put the rock in the basket.

• Deja Vu all over again? -- This team gets compared a lot to the 2012 squad, and the comparison makes sense on a lot of levels due to the depth, the number of players capable of contributing at a high level, the positional versatility, and the expanded rotation. But this team has a lot more offensive potential than the 2012 team - especially with regards to inside scoring and consistent three point shooting. The 2012 team made it to the Elite 8 [after the Fab Melo suspension], and this team has the potential to get that far or even further in the tournament if they continue to play well, improve, and develop. It is a good time to be a Syracuse fan!

Let's Go Orange!!!

Excellent post -- and that comes from someone who usually writes a way-too-long post after a game. Agreed with pretty much everything in there and particularly thought the combo of Gillon/Howard on the floor together was intriguing particularly b/c White is a bit more comfortable at the 3, I'd say, at this point. So it makes us really dangerous offensively. Also good call on force-feeding Chukwu minutes.

Other observations that are left over:

-- Been said a million and 1 times but DC needs to keep that ball up high. No point in belaboring it but he actually kept the ball high a couple times to finish and he looked really solid (the spin move to the lefty layup and the one where he got fouled off the feed from White). Dude is what he is (and I mean that as both a compliment and a bit of a critique) but it's still worth noting.

-- Thought the turnovers were largely from trying to make a play on offense. I find them much easier to swallow when a guy is making a lot of plays for himself and others. Howard had the truly terrible pass that led to an SC St. breakaway but he made so many plays you just sort of shrug. This team may turn it over some but I love what we're seeing in the playmaking department as well.

-- One thought on the press is that Chukwu needs to just get under the basket. If a team hits a three fine, but he has no business trying to chase anyone anywhere. He's not Keita. Get underneath and protect the rim. Also, probably no more alley-oop attempts to my man.

-- Lydon was a guy you didn't specifically mention. Still trying to figure out where he fits in offensively but looked a little more comfortable tonight and he just makes so many plays aside from merely scoring that he's a force. Love to watch him work.

 

[tbonezone]

ten mississippi before DC decides to go up. our bigs need to get more aggressive. catch high and slam immediately initiative declared in effect.

 

[orangehomer]

I think that was my biggest takeaway last night, is that Thompson has played his way into the rotation.

we should be SC I would think, but my guess is we drop the Wisconsin game because they are so tough at home. you never know though, and this team will have plenty of games to prove itself.

 

[iommi]

You are to aesthetically pleasing and well-formatted posts what George Gervin was to the finger-roll.

Ice Man reference FTW. Holy crap, as I type this they just made an Ice Man finger roll reference during the Duke game. That was freaky. I kid you not. How does that happen???!!!!!

 

[iommi]

Amazing post, as usual. On Battle, he hasn't gotten enough consistent playing time but IMO has been impressive for what he's been given. TT has been this year's CJ Fair. If you will remember frosh CJ was that sort of impressive, instant impact, just-knows-how-to-play guy. I do wish TT will bring it on defense.

 

[tbonezone]

C.J. Fair was everywhere...

 

[orangefan13]

A couple of times a game I think to myself Thompson, ChuckWu, Roberson, lydon, coleman, should practice palming the ball in one hand. Anticipation goes a long way.

JB said Chuckwu's legs aren't getting bigger no matter how hard he works, but its surprising he hasn't got under the rim and dunked a few times. He really needs to practice getting fouled from all directions (in front behind the left shoulder, behind the right, from both sides sides)with the ball for muscle memory. Protecting the rim is like offense, they will attack you from all sides. You should have a good feel where all your opponents are, and are coming from. I get the feeling this is the one thing really holding him back, and a giant 9 foot stick isn't going to teach him that, only feeling the defender on his heels will.

 

[orangeinnyc]

A couple of times a game I think to myself Thompson, ChuckWu, Roberson, lydon, coleman, should practice palming the ball in one hand. Anticipation goes a long way.

JB said Chuckwu's legs aren't getting bigger no matter how hard he works, but its surprising he hasn't got under the rim and dunked a few times. He really needs to practice getting fouled from all directions (in front behind the left shoulder, behind the right, from both sides sides)with the ball for muscle memory. Protecting the rim is like offense, they will attack you from all sides. You should have a good feel where all your opponents are, and are coming from. I get the feeling this is the one thing really holding him back, and a giant 9 foot stick isn't going to teach him that, only feeling the defender on his heels will.

i also think chukwu needs to develop a baby right hand hook shot over the left shoulder, its such a simple shot but at his length it would be unblockable and would be very reliable, i see him catch the ball in the lane all the time and cant do much with it, u had that shot to his arsenal and its a game changer for him

 

[Ghost]

Amazing post, as usual. On Battle, he hasn't gotten enough consistent playing time but IMO has been impressive for what he's been given. TT has been this year's CJ Fair. If you will remember frosh CJ was that sort of impressive, instant impact, just-knows-how-to-play guy. I do wish TT will bring it on defense.

There have been a couple moments when Battle could have had some more minutes IMO, but White has been playing so well I think JB has just been going with him. I am sort of impressed with Battle's ability to lay back and play within himself. He looked explosive in the pre-season, but thus far at least, seems okay with coming in and just being in the flow. I do like what I see though, seems to have all the tools. White has been very good though, and Gillon has been getting some minutes at shooting guard - which seems to be the position he was built for (except for his height). Gillon is a good option at PG though - that's not intended to be a shot at all on him. Kaleb seemed like someone that was better suited for SG, because he couldn't play PG. Gillon can.