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[QUOTE="OttoMets, post: 3204079, member: 716"]
We'll never know; I tend to think 2009 would be the most compelling matchup: a very well-rounded team with no defensive inclination (they gave up ~100 to Providence!) against an inconsistent team known for strong defense. Both played in a top-heavy Big East with arguably the best team in the country.

But for every Louisville and Georgetown, in my memory 2013 struggled against a Temple or Nova (the one that really sticks in my craw...an epic Carter-Williams late game meltdown). This is what separated them from the previous three (and got me concerned that Boeheim's post-Flynn culture of winning might suffer from the high rate of turnover). In 2010, 2011, and 2012, they pretty much beat all the teams they should. Swept the non-conference, handled the dregs in the league. In 2013, they were younger and couldn't sustain excellence in the same way, despite some obvious high points.

It was a good team. Southerland's suspension really seemed to be a nail in the coffin -- he was playing well and seemed to be in a rhythm -- but then he caught fire in New York after the Georgetown debacle and they played possessed for three weeks. Momentum is a funny thing. After the 39-point Georgetown game, I don't think anyone would have compared them favorably to the previous four SU teams.
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