Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Flacusian, post: 113184, member: 264"] Based on some of the things I've seen in the last few games I think there are some disturbing trends beginning to emerge. The team seems to have lost it's focus on several fronts. The free throw shooting... well I'm sure I don't need to expound on that very much. Briefly, players who should be knocking down free throws are missing with increased regularity. Could be a problem in a close game. Some of the missed shots aren't just missed shots, they are really bad misses. No rim, no net, no chance at all of going in. The fast break for which we are so heralded for is not looking very sharp at all. Lack of taking care of the ball and looking out of control at times. The lack of even any effort at establishing an inside game will, in time, have an adverse affect. It's just a matter of time. Inconsistentcy by pretty much everybody. One good game, one holiday. Rebounding should be better especially against smaller teams. Certainly when you are extended out in the zone it is going to allow for rebounds by the opposition.. but come on! Syracuse teams historically have a tendency to play to the level of thier competition but if this team has aspirations of being one which will contend for a National Championship I would hope to see them develop a killer insinct to put teams away when they have them on the edge of being blown out. College basketball is oftentimes a game of runs but Syracuse has the talent and ability to put some of these teams away early and decisively instead of letting them chip their way back into it. Thankfully the zone has been effective and has allowed the team to win but as the season progresses the offense is going to have to improve. The hype of Marshall being such a good team is overblown in my opinion and a team ranked 3rd should have blown their doors off. Last, I have to wonder if all the off court events aren't beginning to manifest themselves as diminished performance on the court. For me it's hard to imagine that all of the negativity associated with the scandal is completely insulated from the team dynamics. What's up with James Southerland? The team enigma. I'm beginning to think that his name is Southerland because once the competition stiffens up his great shooting goes "South". I love the kid and he seems to be developing some of the other areas of his game but sheesh! he has had wide open looks that he shoots like I do! Trust me, not good. I'm hoping these are all just developmental growing pains of the team but I'd be lying to say that I'm not worried that some bad trends are beginning to emerge. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?