Dick_in_MI
Emeritus Legend
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
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For much of James Southerland's career, a segment of the fan base labeled him as not good enough. Sure, he could light it up against exhibition foes and early season fodder. However, when conference season came around he couldn't do anything. He would never be a contributor.
For much of Baye's career he has been labeled by a certain segment as scrappy but weak. Not ever likely to contribute, certain to be recruited over, and not really up to the task of playing against Big East foes.
And this year, it was deemed by a certain segment that Trevor Cooney was a wasted scholarship. A kid who will never contribute and in fact not able to compete at Big East level at all.
With all the self-assuredness of fools, a certain segment projected the entire careers of players long before those careers had ended or in one case had even begun to unfold.
This week, James Southerland has so far turned in an historic performance. Trevor Cooney stood toe to toe with our most hated rivals and almost single handedly carried SU in the first half last night. And Baye? He was a warrior on both ends of the floor, was a vocal leader during timeouts, and sunk crucial free throw after crucial free throw with the icy precision of a hired killer. And he did it for 41 minutes while the McDonalds All Americans who were "recruited over" him sat with their butts planted on the bench.
Without any of those three players, the Thompsons would have died a lot happier than they will. Because of each of those three players, JB will someday go to his grave knowing that this long and bitter rivalry was officially closed with a Syracuse win on the big stage.
Regardless of what else James, Trevor, and Baye do for the rest of their careers at SU...and I have a feeling that the best still lies ahead for all of them...they will be Orange heroes for life for what they accomplished last night.
For life.
For much of Baye's career he has been labeled by a certain segment as scrappy but weak. Not ever likely to contribute, certain to be recruited over, and not really up to the task of playing against Big East foes.
And this year, it was deemed by a certain segment that Trevor Cooney was a wasted scholarship. A kid who will never contribute and in fact not able to compete at Big East level at all.
With all the self-assuredness of fools, a certain segment projected the entire careers of players long before those careers had ended or in one case had even begun to unfold.
This week, James Southerland has so far turned in an historic performance. Trevor Cooney stood toe to toe with our most hated rivals and almost single handedly carried SU in the first half last night. And Baye? He was a warrior on both ends of the floor, was a vocal leader during timeouts, and sunk crucial free throw after crucial free throw with the icy precision of a hired killer. And he did it for 41 minutes while the McDonalds All Americans who were "recruited over" him sat with their butts planted on the bench.
Without any of those three players, the Thompsons would have died a lot happier than they will. Because of each of those three players, JB will someday go to his grave knowing that this long and bitter rivalry was officially closed with a Syracuse win on the big stage.
Regardless of what else James, Trevor, and Baye do for the rest of their careers at SU...and I have a feeling that the best still lies ahead for all of them...they will be Orange heroes for life for what they accomplished last night.
For life.
