The comments on schedule

[cspades99]

most times, in context, aren't really attacks, even though a lot of fans react.

Gottlieb, in the "revised final 4 picks" article today, however, does take the jab. And he's wrong. Why can't a few of these guys simply look at the numbers they are PAID TO KNOW and admit they are wrong?

"Though Syracuse hasn't had the hardest schedule to date compared to the nation's other top teams..."

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-col...0/espn-experts-updated-final-four-predictions

 

[jdubs30]

most times, in context, aren't really attacks, even though a lot of fans react.

Gottlieb, in the "revised final 4 picks" article today, however, does take the jab. And he's wrong. Why can't a few of these guys simply look at the numbers they are PAID TO KNOW and admit they are wrong?

"Though Syracuse hasn't had the hardest schedule to date compared to the nation's other top teams..."

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-col...0/espn-experts-updated-final-four-predictions

UK played Kansas, UNC and Louisville
UNC played Michigan State, UNLV, Wisconsin and UK
OSU played Florida, Duke, Kansas, and Indiana
Cuse played Florida, Marquette, Stanford, VaTech

I know what the SOS says, but all of those teams have had better "at the top" schedules than we have.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

most times, in context, aren't really attacks, even though a lot of fans react.

Gottlieb, in the "revised final 4 picks" article today, however, does take the jab. And he's wrong. Why can't a few of these guys simply look at the numbers they are PAID TO KNOW and admit they are wrong?

Well, only one team can play the hardest of schedules. That is a fact. so, unless it is said about everyone else, don't say it at all. The RPI, which is Espn's grail, says we have played a good schedule. They will probably redo that now.
"Though Syracuse hasn't had the hardest schedule to date compared to the nation's other top teams..."

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-col...0/espn-experts-updated-final-four-predictions

 

[Marsh01]

UK played Kansas, UNC and Louisville
UNC played Michigan State, UNLV, Wisconsin and UK
OSU played Florida, Duke, Kansas, and Indiana
Cuse played Florida, Marquette, Stanford, VaTech

I know what the SOS says, but all of those teams have had better "at the top" schedules than we have.

I agree. I dont see the problem with our schedule but other teams have played better "top tier" teams. I think Syracuse has played better "cupcakes" than most teams which evens the playing field a little more but people need to get over complaining about when the media whines.

Win games and it means nothing in the end.

 

[jdubs30]

I agree. I dont see the problem with our schedule but other teams have played better "top tier" teams. I think Syracuse has played better "cupcakes" than most teams which evens the playing field a little more but people need to get over complaining about when the media whines.

Win games and it means nothing in the end.

I think that is the difference in SOS. Our cupcakes have been pretty good.

 

[moqui]

UK played Kansas, UNC and Louisville
UNC played Michigan State, UNLV, Wisconsin and UK
OSU played Florida, Duke, Kansas, and Indiana
Cuse played Florida, Marquette, Stanford, VaTech

I know what the SOS says, but all of those teams have had better "at the top" schedules than we have.

yeah, SOS is a game and JB cracked the code a few years back, scheduling fewer teams that will end up ranked in the 300s and substituting teams in the 150 to 250 range. That manipulates the overall SOS, but when you take it apart, I think SU has played at the most 4 NCAA tournament teams (and I am not convinced Seton Hall will actually make it), all of them in friendly confines. I think it is certainly fair to question SU's schedule right now. Syracuse's schedule is backloaded - through the first 21 games there are only 5 opponents currently in Pomeroy's Top 50; the last 10 games feature 7 games vs. top 50 opponents and two other tough roadies (SJU which desperately wants to take back the Garden and Rutgers which already has a pair of ranked scalps).

 

[Cuse_1999]

yeah, SOS is a game and JB cracked the code a few years back, scheduling fewer teams that will end up ranked in the 300s and substituting teams in the 150 to 250 range.

Exactly. It's the model Duke has used for years to end up with a good RPI. I would add that you throw in a few neutral court games as well as road/neutral gain you more RPI points. It's part of the reason you always see Duke playing games against random teams like Gonzaga in MSG.

 

[Knicks411]

I agree; football outsiders does a ranking of college schedules; the idea is basically what is the % chance an average team will go undefeated against a certain schedule.

I've said it before, but to me, if you are an elite team like SU or Ohio State or whoever, the difference between playing #150 and #300 at home is basically nothing. You're going to win that game no matter what; so the fact that your SOS is going to be higher by playing 150 is technically true, but doesn't do a lot for me. It's about playing good teams and road games, in that order.

Our schedule, to this point, absolutely hasn't been as challenging as the other top teams. They have been put at risk a lot more; most of them have played multiple really good teams, and at least once on a neutral site, or even on the road.

 

[cspades99]

If we're talking simply about the tops of the schedules, then these guys should articulate it.

These guys tweet reactions when fans call them out. The problem is how they articulate.

 

[armory]

idiots paid to be subjective occasionally sound like subjective idiots spewing subjective idiocy.

true story.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

UK played Kansas, UNC and Louisville
UNC played Michigan State, UNLV, Wisconsin and UK
OSU played Florida, Duke, Kansas, and Indiana
Cuse played Florida, Marquette, Stanford, VaTech

I know what the SOS says, but all of those teams have had better "at the top" schedules than we have.

UK played Indiana too (and lost )

 

[cspades99]

idiots paid to be subjective occasionally sound like subjective idiots spewing subjective idiocy.

true story.

gold star for you, kind sir.

 

[SUFan44]

yeah, SOS is a game and JB cracked the code a few years back, scheduling fewer teams that will end up ranked in the 300s and substituting teams in the 150 to 250 range. That manipulates the overall SOS, but when you take it apart, I think SU has played at the most 4 NCAA tournament teams (and I am not convinced Seton Hall will actually make it), all of them in friendly confines. I think it is certainly fair to question SU's schedule right now. Syracuse's schedule is backloaded - through the first 21 games there are only 5 opponents currently in Pomeroy's Top 50; the last 10 games feature 7 games vs. top 50 opponents and two other tough roadies (SJU which desperately wants to take back the Garden and Rutgers which already has a pair of ranked scalps).

First of all, Seton Hall will absolutely make it unless they fall flat on their face.

Stanford will get to 20+ wins and at the very least be a bubble team, as will Va. Tech. NC State is another team that will probably get to 18-20 win range and be in the mix for an at-large.

Not to mention Marshall is at the top of the CUSA standings (CUSA may get as many as three teams in this year), Bucknell looks to be the best team in the Patriot this year and Marquette will absolutely be in the tournament this year barring injury.

That's seven teams that may make the tournament, with Bucknell and possibly Marshall having to win their conference tournament.

Would a team rather challenge themselves with two or three big games, and play the NC A&T's of the world outside of them? Or would they rather have a couple of potential big games (SU was in the Preseason NIT before they knew what level the other three major teams would be at), and play the mid-major games at home?

The schedule isn't top heavy, but there's no reason to question it.

 

[moqui]

First of all, Seton Hall will absolutely make it unless they fall flat on their face.

Stanford will get to 20+ wins and at the very least be a bubble team, as will Va. Tech. NC State is another team that will probably get to 18-20 win range and be in the mix for an at-large.

Not to mention Marshall is at the top of the CUSA standings (CUSA may get as many as three teams in this year), Bucknell looks to be the best team in the Patriot this year and Marquette will absolutely be in the tournament this year barring injury.

That's seven teams that may make the tournament, with Bucknell and possibly Marshall having to win their conference tournament.

Fair enough, let me be more specific: As of now, the only legit NCAAT teams that SU has faced are Florida, Marquette, Stanford and Seton Hall. By legit, I mean teams that will be in on their own merits and have a decent shot at making the round of 32 (automatic qualifiers from small conferences are a separate case - they are not legit NCAAT teams, IMO)
and Seton Hall very well could fall on their face. As I wrote, I am not convinced of their legitimacy. I hope I am wrong, I like to see our conference getting multiple bids.

The schedule isn't top heavy, but there's no reason to question it.

sure there is. you might not like it, and you have made an argument to the contrary, but there is certainly reason to question it, and it is not just outsiders who are doing so. there are several dedicated SU fans on our own forum who are joining me in doing so.

 

[cspades99]

We'll get a lot of questions about this team answered come February. I haven't looked at the numbers, but I'd venture to guess that SU's remaining schedule is tougher than the other top teams noted above.

That's actually my only real issue with the commentary. It's a fairly backloaded schedule that really doesn't get mentioned other than to point out how large a gap between tough road games there is.

 

[Knicks411]

Fair enough, let me be more specific: As of now, the only legit NCAAT teams that SU has faced are Florida, Marquette, Stanford and Seton Hall. By legit, I mean teams that will be in on their own merits and have a decent shot at making the round of 32 (automatic qualifiers from small conferences are a separate case - they are not legit NCAAT teams, IMO)

I think you may be giving Stanford a bit too much credit. They are more of a fringe team to me than a solid NCAA team at this point. (SEMANTICS ALERT!!!!)

That's actually my only real issue with the commentary. It's a fairly backloaded schedule that really doesn't get mentioned other than to point out how large a gap between tough road games there is.

Well, a lot of times the comments are about the non conference SOS anyway. But if you're trying to rank teams in December, the fact that we're playing some really tough teams in February doesn't make it any easier to slot us in somewhere.

 

[cspades99]

I imagine this thread comes off as my caring much more than I do about the scheduling comments overall. It really comes down to the fact that I hate Doug Gottlieb. I'm blinded by rage when he talks/tweets/posts/writes (much like he is, actually).

I don't need any more evidence than what we have to know this team is a 1 seed and will be hanging around the top ranking for the duration.

But folks act like SU isn't slighted for all sorts of things every season.

 

[longtimefan]

UK played Kansas, UNC and Louisville
UNC played Michigan State, UNLV, Wisconsin and UK
OSU played Florida, Duke, Kansas, and Indiana
Cuse played Florida, Marquette, Stanford, VaTech

I know what the SOS says, but all of those teams have had better "at the top" schedules than we have.

And how many road games have they all played?

UK has played only one road game--vs IU--which they lost.
UNC has played 2 road games (don't count UNC-Asheville) and lost them both.
OSU has been more legit, with 3 road games prior to league (lost 2).

And, I'll make the point for the umpteenth time--in the NCAA tournament, you don't play road games; you play at neutral sites (at least, as of recent years).

 

[BRNCUSEFRVCUSE]

Can somebody tell me the recon on Nova, i havent been able to watch alot of big east ball this year like i normally would I know theyve lost alot of games since late last year, and im going to the game on Sat with my girlfriend whos from out of town. Is there any chance Nova gives us any trouble wed, cause i would really like to go sat still undefeated !!!

 

[moqui]

Can somebody tell me the recon on Nova, i havent been able to watch alot of big east ball this year like i normally would I know theyve lost alot of games since late last year, and im going to the game on Sat with my girlfriend whos from out of town. Is there any chance Nova gives us any trouble wed, cause i would really like to go sat still undefeated !!!

I think Nova might end up being the worst team in the conference this season, but it's a Big East road game, so you always have to worry, and they absolutely must get a marquee win if they want to keep any hope of sneaking into the NCAAT alive.

 

[Garbs]

UK played Kansas, UNC and Louisville
UNC played Michigan State, UNLV, Wisconsin and UK
OSU played Florida, Duke, Kansas, and Indiana
Cuse played Florida, Marquette, Stanford, VaTech

I know what the SOS says, but all of those teams have had better "at the top" schedules than we have.

and they went 2-2 in those games

 

[DoctorBombay]

Can somebody tell me the recon on Nova, i havent been able to watch alot of big east ball this year like i normally would I know theyve lost alot of since late last year, and im going to the game on Sat with my girlfriend whos from out of town. Is there any chance Nova gives us any trouble wed, cause i would really like to go sat still undefeated !!!

Watched them couple of times & their mojo just isn't there.

PG Wayns: Ballhog who dominates the rock & always looks to score first. It worked with Scotty Reynolds, Corey Fisher, & Allan Foye, but not so much w/ this kid.
SG Cheek: Simply overrated outta HS. Has never adjusted to BE play, & his jumper is very inconsistent. One-dimensional game.
C Yarou: Hasn't really advanced as one might've hoped. Tough, gritty, but a bit undersized & still raw. Should be the focus on offense- but isn't.
Pinkston: Undersized. Unproven. Weak perimeter game. Classic Tweener.
-C Kennedy/Sutton: Rinse & repeat. Just not ready for rough & tumble BE play, it seems.
Couple that w/ a bunch of frosh & sophs coming off the bench (Yacoubou, Bell, Hilliard, Johnson), although highly rated recruits, & yet you still have disastrous team chemistry.

Jay Wright has done a piss-poor job coaching up this team. They're too perimeter-based, too immature, no size/beef to speak of, and worst of all- don't play defense worth a lick. Maybe his worst defensive team at Nova.
All that being said, they will play us like gang-busters tomorrow. They have absolutely nothing to lose going in & a win makes their season. Besides, it IS a BE road game so, buckle-up!