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Message: [QUOTE="ottopower44, post: 2008233, member: 6157"] The emotional drain is significant this time. There is clearly no hiding from it, the warning bell has rung, and a klaxon has taken over and is deafening now. As a lifelong fan, I do consider myself a diehard. I understand the game, I understand the ebb and flow of seasons, I understand that sometimes the better teams will lose out early and not reach full potential while others will streak to a Final Four. This isn't the X's and O's conversation. Despite being an adult now, and watching my beloved Orange, I will still get nervous for most games. Some games more than other of course, obviously. Last night was no exception before the tip. I didn't think the team would bottom out as they did. While not watching the game live - I looked at the clock in real time around 8:15PM, wondering...how are my Orange doing? I really didn't like the feeling, but like most I thought post E. Michigan we were in better shape. I also thought, St. John's will give us fits (just because its never easy loving the Orange) but we can handle the challenge. I was worried because of recent history vs. SJU. Upon watching the game and subsequently my post game reflection, I immediately had to revisit why I love my Orange, and I need to place this properly on the shelf. Devastation. I have been conditioned by the Orange. Even our best teams always leave me with some doubt. Syracuse has always left me never fully trusting them, and its kind of the appeal in a sadistic way. The ride can be crazy and unexpected. We are 2nd tier elite, certainly one of the best programs in name brand recognition, and success - no question. Because of our second tier status, we play in this murky space where anything can happen because we are not Duke/UNC, KU, UK, and down the line. Our talent can vary, it is not reload central. We have to be careful. To date, JB has built this system that works. He has made our Dome a wonderful place as things go. The past few years (no need to re-hash) have been so stressful - and this system is/has been fraying for a host of reasons. My reflection took me to some dark places. I am foolish enough to admit Syracuse hoops impacts my mood, I can fake it most days when the chips are down like now. Last night however, I was determined to not quit on the Orange in the long view of things. I must re-calibrate what success is now. Success will be the development of players (save the graduates.) I am looking for everyone to take the lumps now, and strive to get better. Battle, TT, Lydon, Howard, etc. What else is there? The hard work must be put in. My point in writing isn't to bash or praise JB. He can run hot and cold with all of us. What he did last night at the podium was correct. He was dejected and he took the blame when we all know everyone was to blame (JB included.) Our team is frustrating, and not equipped to execute what we normally expect to see. However, we are not as bad as we played last night, I was expecting the level in which we played against G'town last weekend. Something happened and it spread like wildfire last eve. The game did take on the feeling of the few mega blowouts we have suffered over the years. I can understand the night was lost and thus the effort was sub par (not making an excuse here) and we just had to get off the floor. The cliches are in full swing now, but its done. Is starts with Cornell now, and we have to start over and build up, thinking beyond 2017. Let us incrementally get better now, and into the off season. There will be no miracle drug here to make us feel better. Bumps in the road are 100% but the good news is we are at rock bottom. Nothing will shock us anyone more this season - seriously. We have to stay with our Orange and think the long run (no matter what the coaching staff looks like today and/or tomorrow.) We care too much about Syracuse hoops. [/QUOTE]

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