Really nice road win!

[IthacaMatt]

It certainly feels good to get another win. This offense is good enough to beat anybody. The defense is getting better, despite giving up a lot of 3's. The defensive rebounding is getting better. Boeheim is using Symir even in the 2nd half to help Joe with pressure. I think our whole approach to pressure defense has been improving.

Using the 1-3-1, which Boeheim introduced a few games ago, has really improved our overall defense, because "The Book" on attacking the 2-3 is to flash a man to the foul line, draw in the defense, and then that guy looks for the open guy, or the open shot.

Well, the 1-3-1 (only 1 man is low and no one is in the corners) guards the wings, leaves a single defender man on man against the opposing PG at the top of the zone, and you still have great presence on the wings, to contest those elbow threes, or cut off the drive, and even help on the boards.

The weakness of the 1-3-1 is that the corners are even harder to defend that the 2-3. (Our 2-3 is really a 2-2-1, but that's a conversation for another day ...).

Biggest takeaway is that Boeheim is slowly becoming a little less predictable, mixing things up a bit, and the guys are making shots. When the shot goes in, you have that little extra bit of energy for everything else.

 

[kirbivore]

Huge game as this was the easier one of the road trip with L’ville coming up

 

[IthacaMatt]

It certainly feels good to get another win. This offense is good enough to beat anybody. The defense is getting better, despite giving up a lot of 3's. The defensive rebounding is getting better. Boeheim is using Symir even in the 2nd half to help Joe with pressure. I think our whole approach to pressure defense has been improving.

Using the 1-3-1, which Boeheim introduced a few games ago, has really improved our overall defense, because "The Book" on attacking the 2-3 is to flash a man to the foul line, draw in the defense, and then that guy looks for the open guy, or the open shot.

Well, the 1-3-1 (only 1 man is low and no one is in the corners) guards the wings, leaves a single defender man on man against the opposing PG at the top of the zone, and you still have great presence on the wings, to contest those elbow threes, or cut off the drive, and even help on the boards.

The weakness of the 1-3-1 is that the corners are even harder to defend that the 2-3. (Our 2-3 is really a 2-2-1, but that's a conversation for another day ...).

Biggest takeaway is that Boeheim is slowly becoming a little less predictable, mixing things up a bit, and the guys are making shots. When the shot goes in, you have that little extra bit of energy for everything else.

Sorry to reply to myself, but I forgot a couple thoughts that I still wanted to share.

Joe Girard at a certain point there, flinging in the 26 foot shots with a snap of the wrist, and then a couple drives in the lane - it was like the ghost of Greg Kohls was out there.

Jesse is such an underrated offensive force. He has great touch, and I would guess really big hands with the way he gets off some of his bank shots, which almost always go in. The way he shoots it is almost Chamberlain-like, or Connie Hawkins or George Gervin - those guys who could shoot the ball with one hand after floating through the air, defying gravity. Jesse has huge upside. Put 25-30 pounds on that guy over the next couple years, and. he will play professionally for 10 years.

Great to see Buddy and Jimmy scoring again, see more people moving the ball, everybody excited at finding the open shooter.

Is there still anybody out there who wouldn't want to have Cole Swider on their team??? I mean, come on now. This kid is a player, he just needs a little love, to increase his confidence.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Huge game as this was the easier one of the road trip with L’ville coming up

Gotta keep grinding. But Louisville just fired Mack, so hopefully they will be in chaos.

 

[Ragman2000]

The 1-3-1 or whatever it technically is, I have affectionately nicknamed the "Purina 2-3" as it more closely resembles the Purina logo than a 1-3-1.

 

[hoopsupstate]

It certainly feels good to get another win. This offense is good enough to beat anybody. The defense is getting better, despite giving up a lot of 3's. The defensive rebounding is getting better. Boeheim is using Symir even in the 2nd half to help Joe with pressure. I think our whole approach to pressure defense has been improving.

Using the 1-3-1, which Boeheim introduced a few games ago, has really improved our overall defense, because "The Book" on attacking the 2-3 is to flash a man to the foul line, draw in the defense, and then that guy looks for the open guy, or the open shot.

Well, the 1-3-1 (only 1 man is low and no one is in the corners) guards the wings, leaves a single defender man on man against the opposing PG at the top of the zone, and you still have great presence on the wings, to contest those elbow threes, or cut off the drive, and even help on the boards.

The weakness of the 1-3-1 is that the corners are even harder to defend that the 2-3. (Our 2-3 is really a 2-2-1, but that's a conversation for another day ...).

Biggest takeaway is that Boeheim is slowly becoming a little less predictable, mixing things up a bit, and the guys are making shots. When the shot goes in, you have that little extra bit of energy for everything else.

It doesn’t allow teams to just settle in and keep attacking the zone the same way. The other team has to adjust and it helped us tonight.

 

[bballbeadle]

Damn it to hell, I hate playing Louisville. I have these cousins . . .

 

[IthacaMatt]

It doesn’t allow teams to just settle in and keep attacking the zone the same way. The other team has to adjust and it helped us tonight.

Exactly! This makes a team adjust by taking away "Option A" from "The Book". Uh, what do we do now? Usually it takes them a handful of possessions to try to find corner shooters or attack from behind, but then you change back, and they have to start their offense over.

JB used to change defenses more. Going 1-3-1 is WAY more effective than the beloved "Trunk Monkey" desperation press. I think he hasn't made this good of a strategic move on defense in years. The available players made him make adjustments. So kudos for that.

 

[IthacaMatt]

It doesn’t allow teams to just settle in and keep attacking the zone the same way. The other team has to adjust and it helped us tonight.

Well said, sir!

 

[NorSyr66]

Sorry to reply to myself, but I forgot a couple thoughts that I still wanted to share.

Joe Girard at a certain point there, flinging in the 26 foot shots with a snap of the wrist, and then a couple drives in the lane - it was like the ghost of Greg Kohls was out there.

Jesse is such an underrated offensive force. He has great touch, and I would guess really big hands with the way he gets off some of his bank shots, which almost always go in. The way he shoots it is almost Chamberlain-like, or Connie Hawkins or George Gervin - those guys who could shoot the ball with one hand after floating through the air, defying gravity. Jesse has huge upside. Put 25-30 pounds on that guy over the next couple years, and. he will play professionally for 10 years.

Great to see Buddy and Jimmy scoring again, see more people moving the ball, everybody excited at finding the open shooter.

Is there still anybody out there who wouldn't want to have Cole Swider on their team??? I mean, come on now. This kid is a player, he just needs a little love, to increase his confidence.

It certainly feels good to get another win. This offense is good enough to beat anybody. The defense is getting better, despite giving up a lot of 3's. The defensive rebounding is getting better. Boeheim is using Symir even in the 2nd half to help Joe with pressure. I think our whole approach to pressure defense has been improving.

Using the 1-3-1, which Boeheim introduced a few games ago, has really improved our overall defense, because "The Book" on attacking the 2-3 is to flash a man to the foul line, draw in the defense, and then that guy looks for the open guy, or the open shot.

Well, the 1-3-1 (only 1 man is low and no one is in the corners) guards the wings, leaves a single defender man on man against the opposing PG at the top of the zone, and you still have great presence on the wings, to contest those elbow threes, or cut off the drive, and even help on the boards.

The weakness of the 1-3-1 is that the corners are even harder to defend that the 2-3. (Our 2-3 is really a 2-2-1, but that's a conversation for another day ...).

Biggest takeaway is that Boeheim is slowly becoming a little less predictable, mixing things up a bit, and the guys are making shots. When the shot goes in, you have that little extra bit of energy for everything else.

Great post but the key to this team going forward is keeping Jesse on the floor. The key factor tonight was the 3 fouls that Frank ate. Jesse needs his rest. Couple other starters could have benefitted from a few minutes on the bench in the 2nd H.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Great post but the key to this team going forward is keeping Jesse on the floor. The key factor tonight was the 3 fouls that Frank ate. Jesse needs his rest. Couple other starters could have benefitted from a few minutes on the bench in the 2nd H.

Good observation! Frank was active. He was contesting shots. I haven't looked at any box scores yet, but I think he generated some positive Net Points.

 

[Col. Bleep]

The Orange did a nice job closing the show.
This was a 1 point game with 1:45 to go.

 

[IthacaMatt]

The Orange did a nice job closing the show.
This was a 1 point game with 1:45 to go.

Yeah, we really executed a lot more like a Syracuse team down the stretch of these last couple games. Lots of guys hitting important shots. Very nice to see.

 

[sdhall01]

Maybe, just maybe, we'll eek out a winning record this year. I'm gaining a bit of confidence back.

 

[NorSyr66]

Maybe, just maybe, we'll eek out a winning record this year. I'm gaining a bit of confidence back.

I agree but let's not get too confident!

 

[CardiacCuse]

Jesse is such an underrated offensive force. He has great touch, and I would guess really big hands with the way he gets off some of his bank shots, which almost always go in. The way he shoots it is almost Chamberlain-like, or Connie Hawkins or George Gervin - those guys who could shoot the ball with one hand after floating through the air, defying gravity. Jesse has huge upside. Put 25-30 pounds on that guy over the next couple years, and. he will play professionally for 10 years.

i wonder if Jesse might actually be draftable this year???

I dont think he's quite ready...but nba drafts on potential all the time

his potential is certainly NBA

I hope he stays another year and cant even believe its a possibility (because he really isnt ready for that level yet) but given the recent surge in players leaving school after a decent season...it wouldnt shock me (too much)

 

[HSPORANGE]

i wonder if Jesse might actually be draftable this year???

I dont think he's quite ready...but nba drafts on potential all the time

his potential is certainly NBA

I hope he stays another year and cant even believe its a possibility (because he really isnt ready for that level yet) but given the recent surge in players leaving school after a decent season...it wouldnt shock me (too much)

LOL slow down. Jesse needs to get so much stronger to even sniff the NBA. He has taken a huge leap in his development at the college level but no way he is even close to ready for the NBA.

 

[CardiacCuse]

LOL slow down. Jesse needs to get so much stronger to even sniff the NBA. He has taken a huge leap in his development at the college level but no way he is even close to ready for the NBA.

i mean i just look back at players like malachi, mccullogh, lydon brissett bazley etc leaving and being ready for the nba didnt factor into them leaving at all

now they can develop in the minor leagues if they want

i dont think jesse is ready personally

but i think players are leaving way too early overall and wonder if that could mean jesse leaves

 

[IthacaMatt]

i mean i just look back at players like malachi, mccullogh, lydon brissett bazley etc leaving and being ready for the nba didnt factor into them leaving at all

now they can develop in the minor leagues if they want

i dont think jesse is ready personally

but i think players are leaving way too early overall and wonder if that could mean jesse leaves

And again, I will mention the excess slams he has taken from his coach in numerous press conferences.

 

[81South]

Baby steps folks. I have really enjoyed the last two games and hope it continues.

 

[orangecuse]

Maybe, just maybe, we'll eek out a winning record this year. I'm gaining a bit of confidence back.

I think we can. Primarily, due to just how bad the ACC is this year along with the favorable schedule. I'd say Duke and at UNC are losses. Everything else is certainly winnable, even at ND as I can see that match up favorable to us with their general lack of athleticism as well, and not a team the will place a lot of ball pressure on us.

At VPI will be challenging, but definitely a winnable game, but we'll need our guys being hot as they've been these past two games. The two games we have with BC should be givens. GT will be close, grinder type, etc., but if we "make shots" I like our chances. Need to get this W in the Dome on Saturday against Louisville...they've been reeling with all their internal crap, firing of their HC, etc.

 

[Sherman20]

Love your enthusiasm, Matt. Louisville is a must win. If we win that at home, I think we’ll have some real momentum.

 

[hoopsupstate]

I think we can. Primarily, due to just how bad the ACC is this year along with the favorable schedule. I'd say Duke and at UNC are losses. Everything else is certainly winnable, even at ND as I can see that match up favorable to us with their general lack of athleticism as well, and not a team the will place a lot of ball pressure on us.

At VPI will be challenging, but definitely a winnable game, but we'll need our guys being hot as they've been these past two games. The two games we have with BC should be givens. GT will be close, grinder type, etc., but if we "make shots" I like our chances. Need to get this W in the Dome on Saturday against Louisville...they've been reeling with all their internal crap, firing of their HC, etc.

BC games are not givens. They get after you defensively and will press. That’s not a recipe for SU success.