Tonite will tell us a lot about this years team.

[Flacusian]

In retrospect, Saturday's loss is understandable when weighing in the factor of Fab's sudden absence from the team and that teams occasionally have one of those lid on the basket games over the course of a season. Saturdays loss can serve not only as a template for other teams on how to play us but can also be indicative of the things we need to do as we move forward this season. There can be no question as to the vulnerablities of the Orange after Saturdays game.

Tonite's game will be important in that we will see how the teams responds to it's achillies of dictated tempo, limited possessions, and lack of a cohesive offensive strategy without Fab. And oh, I guess it would be nice if we made some shots. All things considered, I'd rather lose to ND in a stinker and then beat Cincy than the other way around. We win tonight and the ND game can easily be chalked up to a valuable learning experience for the team in what not to do and how not to play. The fact that we've played well for stretches without Fab on the floor indicates that this team has the ablility to overcome Fab's absence to some extent.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

The big concern has to be...how do we get out in transition? If we don't...I expect to see more average/below average jump shooters taking a lot of jump shots.

 

[jordoo]

People complain about our defense against ND but we lost that game because we couldn't score the ball. Even with the late shot clock plays they made and our very poor defense if we play better offense especially in the first half we stay with them eventually take the lead and then they can't afford to burn the shot clock.

 

[Marsh01]

need to force turnovers and get some run and gun points going. Also just need to shoot it better. That really cooked us more than anything against ND.

 

[Flacusian]

need to force turnovers and get some run and gun points going. Also just need to shoot it better. That really cooked us more than anything against ND.

Agree, shoot the ball well and it cures a host of maladies.

 

[PoppyHart]

I just hope we don't get spooked by the environment again. The team was not ready for a hostile crowd on Saturday. Hopefully there's a quick learning curve.

 

[MartyCuse]

The team was off on Saturday.. wether it was the absence of two team members or the crowd (add countless reasons here)... or just that What game finally happening, I have to agree tonight will show us how they bounce back. IMHO they didn't play as a team Saturday and tried to do a lot on their own. This led to poor shot selection and a low shooting percentage. We lost and must move on as a team. It is my hope the spent some time on the road talking about the team chemistry and come back out refocused and ready to play tonight. They will be challenged tonight and I hope they can show themselves and secondly us that they will step to those challenges. Go CUSE!

 

[longislandcuse]

I dont think the crowd should have affected them. NC State was also a madhouse and we dealt with it well. I guess when you get down, play horrible and start doubting yourself with a star player out it could get in your head though.

Tonight's game is huge...Win tonight, hopefully get Fab back tomorrow and all is well and I will erase ND from my memory.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Agree, shoot the ball well and it cures a host of maladies.

Defending the outside shot better and securing rebounds on the defensive end also would have helped. The knife cuts both ways.

 

[BlueCurtain]

SU has an average or at best inconsistent collection of jump shooters who were forced to shoot jump shots. Notre Dame should not be chalked up to "just one of those nights". This team needs to force turnovers and get in transition or they can lose to anybody.

It starts with defense.

 

[longislandcuse]

SU has an average or at best inconsistent collection of jump shooters who were forced to shoot jump shots. Notre Dame should not be chalked up to "just one of those nights". This team needs to force turnovers and get in transition or they can lose to anybody.

It starts with defense.

Yea but ND is not a lights out shooting team and they shot lights out. We are not a 25% shooting team, yet thats basically what we were shooting halfway through the second half. It was the first game Rak/Keita had to play 40 minutes and they got down early with a rowdy crowd going nuts. I saw this happen to UNC, only difference is we fought back and didnt lose by 30.

*Not saying ND is anywhere near as good as FSU.

 

[IthacaMatt]

In retrospect, Saturday's loss is understandable when weighing in the factor of Fab's sudden absence from the team and that teams occasionally have one of those lid on the basket games over the course of a season. Saturdays loss can serve not only as a template for other teams on how to play us but can also be indicative of the things we need to do as we move forward this season. There can be no question as to the vulnerablities of the Orange after Saturdays game.

Tonite's game will be important in that we will see how the teams responds to it's achillies of dictated tempo, limited possessions, and lack of a cohesive offensive strategy without Fab. And oh, I guess it would be nice if we made some shots. All things considered, I'd rather lose to ND in a stinker and then beat Cincy than the other way around. We win tonight and the ND game can easily be chalked up to a valuable learning experience for the team in what not to do and how not to play. The fact that we've played well for stretches without Fab on the floor indicates that this team has the ablility to overcome Fab's absence to some extent.

Agree. Tonight tells us a lot about this team. To me, the biggest problem against ND was lack of effort. We just didn't play hard enough, and we were very weak inside, did a terrible job on the boards. Kris Joseph and C. J. Fair really have to step it up and get at least half a dozen rebounds each tonight, if not more.

Christmas has to grow up fast and be a contributor, not just a spectator on defense. He has to stop Gates from getting low post position so close to the basket, as they allowed Cooney from ND to do. Hell, Cooney was under the basket every time he touched the ball. You've got to push any center 10 feet up the lane.

 

[orangecuse]

Agree. Tonight tells us a lot about this team. To me, the biggest problem against ND was lack of effort. We just didn't play hard enough, and we were very weak inside, did a terrible job on the boards. Kris Joseph and C. J. Fair really have to step it up and get at least half a dozen rebounds each tonight, if not more.

Christmas has to grow up fast and be a contributor, not just a spectator on defense. He has to stop Gates from getting low post position so close to the basket, as they allowed Cooney from ND to do. Hell, Cooney was under the basket every time he touched the ball. You've got to push any center 10 feet up the lane.

Really think that's just wishful thinking & unrealistic expectations relative to Rak. If he couldn't handle Cooney, I don't see how anyone can expect him to successfully defend Gates, he's a beast. His best bet would be to just stand his ground and hope our favorite refs call some favorable charges.

 

[ljmilman]

Agreed, tonight is huge. If this team can rebound without Fab against Cincy, it almost wipes out (in my mind at least) the loss to ND. If they lose, then I probably get some PTSD style flashbacks to last year when they lose 6 of 8 after starting 19-0.

 

[Madbiker]

Cincy will not slow the game down like ND did. They play a more open game especially since Cronin went to the 4 guard offense with just Gates in the middle. So they will not control tempo like ND. We should have opportunities for more transition.