This has nothing to do with our ranking/record

[orange03]

But his might be my favorite Cuse team of all time and that's saying something. I grew up with the Sherm/DC/Billy O teams and never thought they would get approached.

Just a fun team to watch with so many different parts that somehow fit together. So unselfish and everybody seems to have his turn to make plays. While we don't have a guy who will consistently get 20+ points, we do have a stable of guys who can take over games for stretches. Like JB said, we don't have a Carmelo on this team, but neither does anybody else.

Syracuse basketball is one of the few things that I still truly care about and take it very personally when we lose. The day we get bounced out of the tournament is probably the worst day of the year. It's almost a selfish trait that I feel there letting ME down. This years team I want to win for a different reason--not my own but for themselves. The way they've been playing is inspiring to a real fan of basketball and it wouldn't seem right for them to at least make a Final Four run. Sorry for rambling but my son woke me up on my only day off at 4:30 this morning because he wanted to play Skylanders. Sigh

 

[mark79]

But his might be my favorite Cuse team of all time and that's saying something. I grew up with the Sherm/DC/Billy O teams and never thought they would get approached.

Just a fun team to watch with so many different parts that somehow fit together. So unselfish and everybody seems to have his turn to make plays. While we don't have a guy who will consistently get 20+ points, we do have a stable of guys who can take over games for stretches. Like JB said, we don't have a Carmelo on this team, but neither does anybody else.

Syracuse basketball is one of the few things that I still truly care about and take it very personally when we lose. The day we get bounced out of the tournament is probably the worst day of the year. It's almost a selfish trait that I feel there letting ME down. This years team I want to win for a different reason--not my own but for themselves. The way they've been playing is inspiring to a real fan of basketball and it wouldn't seem right for them to at least make a Final Four run. Sorry for rambling but my son woke me up on my only day off at 4:30 this morning because he wanted to play Skylanders. Sigh

I agree. We don't have a Carmelo but we have a Dion and he is starting to grow into the kind of "Carmelo-like" presence that is needed to win a championship. Does anyone doubt who will have the ball in his hands with 20 seconds left and the championship on the line? I don't. I sure as heck want the ball in Dion's hands and would be willing to live or die with the outcome (figuratively!)

 

[KCJax03]

I agree. We don't have a Carmelo but we have a Dion and he is starting to grow into the kind of "Carmelo-like" presence that is needed to win a championship. Does anyone doubt who will have the ball in his hands with 20 seconds left and the championship on the line? I don't. I sure as heck want the ball in Dion's hands and would be willing to live or die with the outcome (figuratively!)

In my lifetime great SU teams have always been built around great forwards. Coleman / Wallace / Carmelo type guys that if all else fails, can physically take over games. As much as one can from a guard position, Dion can phyiscally take over games. He is so strong taking the ball to the rim and that step back jumper last night was a thing of beauty. There is no question that he can get to the rim or otherwise create space for his shot when needed.

I still believe we need the bigs to step up come tourney time and play physical around the basket. Offensive rebounding and the ability to finish strong in the paint will really put this team over the top in my opinion. Melo is still a big key...

 

[dasher]

We are 19-0. Of course it has to do with ranking and record.

 

[orange03]

We are 19-0. Of course it has to do with ranking and record.

Maybe for you it does

 

[mark79]

Maybe for you it does

Orange, I agree. I believe what you
are saying is that our ranking and record is great but even that aside you feel this way. I do too.

 

[orange03]

Orange, I agree. I believe what you
are saying is that our ranking and record is great but even that aside you feel this way. I do too.

We've had plenty of teams that won a lot of games and had nice little runs that weren't nearly as fun to watch as this current team.

 

[mark79]

I totally agree. This team has that "it" factor...

 

[rosconey]

-the great su teams have that little extra defensive mentality -
i love watching these kids -

 

[realorange]

The DC, Billy O, Stevie teams were great to watch as the OP said. The difference with this team is the number of players making up "the team". There are more than 5 very good players on this team. It's just such a good feeling that no matter who comes onto the floor, there is no gut reaction of "oh crap, what will we get from him tonight."
As for Dion, I'll admit I had him pegged as a malcontent who would cause more problems for the team than he would ever overcome. I'm ready to agree with Fran Fran's comments on TV during the Villanova game that Dion will be a better pro than a college player. As big a star as Carmelo, probably not. But Dion has learned (for at least 90% of the time) that he can be a star by simply being an important part of the team.