Seth Davis on SU Strength

[M2MPrinciples]

I think this team could end up being even better defensively than the 2009-10 team. They're dominant on the offensive glass, and even though they don't rebound well defensively (mostly due to the 2-3 putting guys out of position), they're generating turnovers at an insane rate and scoring in transition.

Whereas the 2009-10 team seemed to generate a lot of steals by trapping out on the perimeter, this team stops offenses more by daring them to shoot over the sequoias in the back of the zone.

 

[SmilinBob]

This is a very good team but SU will struggle vs a good passing, decent shooting, good offensive rebounding team that over plays on D. If a team figures out the zone and has the players that can play against it SU HAS to be able to play a good half court offense which I still feel is their biggest weakness. Teams like Marquette, Pitt and Louisville come to mind.

 

[SmilinBob]

This is a very good team but SU will struggle vs a good passing, decent shooting, good offensive rebounding team that over plays on D. If a team figures out the zone and has the players that can play against it SU HAS to be able to play a good half court offense which I still feel is their biggest weakness. Teams like Marquette, Pitt and Louisville come to mind.

 

[Knicks411]

THats pretty spot on. And when we beat west virginia and notre dame in early january both on the road on a saturday/monday, i personally knew we were top 5-no-doubt-about-it-national-championship-good.

Yeah that was a huge eye opener for me. Two tough places to play, and we won twice in 3 days. (If I remember, the games were somewhat comfortable. We had a 10 point lead with a minute to play, they did hit a bunch of 3's to make it close, and ND we beat by like 10-15.

 

[Czar]

I think when comparing the 2009-10 team to this team a lot of people arguing that the 2009-10 team blows this one away overlook or vastly underrate the complete gulf in ability the two benches had, as well as the relative capabilities each team had at the 5 position.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

Best Syracuse team since 2002-2003?

That'd be great, but what does Seth see that I don't see?

This looks like a good team that could be a very good team. It seems inferior to the 2009-2010 bunch in nearly every facet of the game (not strikingly so, but they were better at every position).

Can't compare at this point...we think of the '09-'10 team as they were at the end before AO got hurt. Not apples to apples with a squad that is barely into December

I think this team may have more weapons by the time March comes but who is to say right now.

 

[Knicks411]

I think when comparing the 2009-10 team to this team a lot of people arguing that the 2009-10 team blows this one away overlook or vastly underrate the complete gulf in ability the two benches had, as well as the relative capabilities each team had at the 5 position.

I don't think you can really say what A) what our bench looks like right now, and B) how much it matters, anyway.

JB has shown so far, that when push comes to shove, the rotation is maybe 8 deep. And anyway, how much does it really matter? We didn't have much trouble running our 7 man rotation in 2010. I guess you could argue we were SOL (and that's not statute of limitations) when AO got hurt.
But they're college kids; the games are 40 min long with timeouts every 4 minutes. I don't think having a deeper bench is a huge advantage.

 

[OttoMets]

Rick Jackson was vastly underrated IMO...

Certainly. He was a great rebounder, a very good passer, and a one-handed offensive player with one move.

Christmas could be an All-America in two years. He hasn't done anything yet, but he's got way more potential than Rick had.

 

[cuseattle]

When comparing this year's team and Wes's team, you have to remember that Rick improved a whole bunch from his Jr. to Sr. yr. Lost a lot of weight too.
I LOVED that team, but this team has just as much potential, and more room for an unexpected injury. (knock wood)

 

[Louie&Bouie]

Certainly. He was a great rebounder, a very good passer, and a one-handed offensive player with one move.

Christmas could be an All-America in two years. He hasn't done anything yet, but he's got way more potential than Rick had.

I haven't seen anything from Christmas that screams All-American at this point. If he averages 15 & 10 in his fourth year, I'd be more than happy. He's got alot of work ahead of himself to get there. But I do agree, the young man does flash alot of potential.