SU NCAAT History and 'unfamiliar' territory.

[NineOneSeven]

I read a headline that the class of 2025 would be the first graduating class at SU to not experience an NCAAT with Syracuse in it since 1972, spanning 53 years . Hoping this does not become very familiar territory.

So then I found myself (virtually) walking down a path looking back at some historical SU basketball numbers. Then I made a graph, and a table. Nothing most of us don’t already know, but I think it really shows how long it’s been since we were legitimately a contender.

I'm damn ready for it.

(Disclaimer- I am pretty sure the data is accurate, from basketball reference)

 

[PoppyHart]

Up until 2 years ago, every scholarship player dating back to JAB’s hiring who was on the roster for at least 2 complete years participated in the NCAA tournament during their time on the Hill. I believe Benny Williams broke the streak in 2022-23.*

*Source: Poppy Sports Bureau

 

[McCuse]

Up until 2 years ago, every scholarship player dating back to JAB’s hiring who was on the roster for at least 2 complete years participated in the NCAA tournament during their time on the Hill. I believe Benny Williams broke the streak in 2022-23.*

*Source: Poppy Sports Bureau

Benny Williams would be the guy to break things for Syracuse basketball. What a nightmare this is turning into!

 

[kirbivore]

I read a headline that the class of 2025 would be the first graduating class at SU to not experience an NCAAT with Syracuse in it since 1972, spanning 53 years . Hoping this does not become very familiar territory.

So then I found myself (virtually) walking down a path looking back at some historical SU basketball numbers. Then I made a graph, and a table. Nothing most of us don’t already know, but I think it really shows how long it’s been since we were legitimately a contender.

I'm damn ready for it.

(Disclaimer- I am pretty sure the data is accurate, from basketball reference)

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[tbonezone]

i always appreciate it when someone takes a few minutes of their day to collate data.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I didn't need this data to know this but damn, what a time for me to be in college (08-12). The aura of those games was just unbelievable. Such a shame we were derailed and left without a title, or even a F4.

 

[DilemaCuse]

Present this to ESPN Syracuse and see how quickly JB calls in saying there's no decline or regression.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Present this to ESPN Syracuse and see how quickly JB calls in saying there's no decline or regression.

Absolutely 0 credibility for anyone saying that, fan or former coach. The data is right there, clear as day.

 

[Brooky03]

The difference is talent development.

The program adapted okay to the one-and-done era but didn’t excel there. I know that’s funny to say for the school with arguably the greatest one-and-done player of all time, but that’s the way I see it.

Then, transfers rules threw a wrench in everything and we didn’t adapt at all. And now we’re getting absolutely smoked in NIL, with seemingly very little interest or commitment from the school in making it better.

JB’s program was always built on player development. We had strong recruiting classes, no question, but acquiring the most talent up front was never what made us successful. It was the upperclassmen who came in rough around the edges and grew into prominent roles. When barriers to leaving for greener pastures dropped, JB lost his fastball. The team didn’t have those lynchpin Juniors and Seniors or, at least, not enough of them. Every recruiting class had to be a hit and transfers had to get up to speed very quickly (tough to do with the defense we had).

Adapt or die. Right now, we’re dying.

The successful coaches going forward will be the ones adept at installing simple offensive and defensive concepts with crushing execution and efficiency. There’s no more bringing players along slowly or organically. We don’t have that guy right now.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Remember when we used to be depressed getting knocked out in the Sweet 16? In the last 10 years we've considered making a Sweet 16 to be a crazy run.

 

[Scooch]

Charts AND graphs?! Now you're speaking my language, NineOneSeven!

I spend too much time on College Basketball Reference, and it tends to be a depressing exercise.

I find things like... this will be our sixth consecutive season of not being ranked at any point. The last time we went 6 years without being ranked? 1964.

Over the past decade the program went from great... to good... to mediocre... to outright bad. It's unfathomable that anyone would dispute that. It's an unassailable fact.

 

['72 Orange]

I read a headline that the class of 2025 would be the first graduating class at SU to not experience an NCAAT with Syracuse in it since 1972, spanning 53 years . Hoping this does not become very familiar territory.

So then I found myself (virtually) walking down a path looking back at some historical SU basketball numbers. Then I made a graph, and a table. Nothing most of us don’t already know, but I think it really shows how long it’s been since we were legitimately a contender.

I'm damn ready for it.

(Disclaimer- I am pretty sure the data is accurate, from basketball reference)

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As a fellow member of the class of ‘72 it brings back bitter sweet memories. During our tenure on the Hill we received two invitations to the NIT and were ecstatic to get them. Talk about low expectations! Well at least it was the beginning of a tremendous postseason run.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

As a fellow member of the class of ‘72 it brings back bitter sweet memories. During our tenure on the Hill we received two invitations to the NIT and were ecstatic to get them. Talk about low expectations! Well at least it was the beginning of a tremendous postseason run.

Class of '73

When we made the NIT, the DO had a full-page caption "Wich Way to the NIT!", in honor of Chuck Wichman.

My roommate and I plastered it on our window in Watson Hall. I still have a photo somewhere.

That was as close to hoops ecstasy as we got during my tenure, sandwiched between the success of the 60's and everything that came after us.

 

[jdubs30]

Will Chris Bell have the worst record of any SU upperclassmen?