Vegas

[CorduroyG]

Remember when the 2010 team (unranked at the time??? not sure) destroyed cal and carolina at that early season tournament at msg and everyone was like “oh my god its true this team is scary good”

Could that be this team in vegas???????? I think we’re all afraid to go all in on this team cuz theyve played 3 cupcakes and the team has sucked for so long. But holy cow they look goooooooooooooooood.

 

[721Comstock]

 

[Lukeyloo]

I’m hopeful, but It’s been so long since we’ve been truly good that I’m not sure that I know what that looks like for us at this point.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Let me stop you right there…

We aren’t going to be like our greatest team in SU history. I stand by that, btw. The numbers back it up. 1-7 that was the best team we’ve ever fielded.

If we keep it competitive with a shot down the stretch, I’ll take it. These are serious tests especially Houston.

I’m glad that I am not chalking it up as an automatic L, that’s for sure!

 

[OrangeFoo]

This team will compete on D as well as any of the elite JB teams for 40 minutes. But even against cupcakes the offense is not efficient. They got so many stops and possessions yesterday and somehow only scored 80. Until someone shows they can get their own shot against a good team I think this team will hang with teams and be competitive but lose by 10
to 15 with the leads ballooning in the last 5 minutes. Also thejr free throw shooting is going to be a problem against better teams when the margin is much smaller.

For a Vegas breakout to happen they need to find a higher gear on offense.. that means George has to take his game seriously one more level, or freeman finds a way to create his own shot and finds his jumper or JJ finds a way to be much much more efficient.

 

[DomeHolmes]

This team will compete on D as well as any of the elite JB teams for 40 minutes. But even against cupcakes the offense is not efficient. They got so many stops and possessions yesterday and somehow only scored 80. Until someone shows they can get their own shot against a good team I think this team will hang with teams and be competitive but lose by 10
to 15 with the leads ballooning in the last 5 minutes. Also thejr free throw shooting is going to be a problem against better teams when the margin is much smaller.

For a Vegas breakout to happen they need to find a higher gear on offense.. that means George has to take his game seriously one more level, or freeman finds a way to create his own shot and finds his jumper or JJ finds a way to be much much more efficient.

Three things I noticed yesterday. First George could’ve gotten to the hoop against that little guard so many more times and he was not as aggressive as often as he could’ve been. Also, when he did get to the hoop, there was nobody trailing for a drop off or an offensive rebound. Especially in the first half, we got zero help at the basket. George can only do so much without cutters.

Freeman’s shot selection sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. He goes to his fadeaway when a jump stop and baby hook would be preferable. I still am worried about our interior defense getting big boyed against better teams (and picking up fouls). It has been rare, but Freeman was a no show battling on the glass.

Finally on efficiency, I’m watching team after team put up 100 points and we have not cracked 90 yet. I’m not sure our points per possession, but it does seem that we waste too many opportunities. We are certainly not playing at the old Virginia pace where it would be understandable.

The key to the season will be how well George and Kingz increase their contributions as they get more comfortable. The last game they both gave incredible effort with OK results. Both are capable of putting in games like Donnie and Anthony. When (if) we start getting 25 to 30 points from them rather than 15-20 we will be cooking.

 

[Eric15]

Forgive me if I missed it but do we know the extent of Betsey’s injury?

 

[RedtheGOB]

Three things I noticed yesterday. First George could’ve gotten to the hoop against that little guard so many more times and he was not as aggressive as often as he could’ve been. Also, when he did get to the hoop, there was nobody trailing for a drop off or an offensive rebound. Especially in the first half, we got zero help at the basket. George can only do so much without cutters.

Freeman’s shot selection sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. He goes to his fadeaway when a jump stop and baby hook would be preferable. I still am worried about our interior defense getting big boyed against better teams (and picking up fouls). It has been rare, but Freeman was a no show battling on the glass.

Finally on efficiency, I’m watching team after team put up 100 points and we have not cracked 90 yet. I’m not sure our points per possession, but it does seem that we waste too many opportunities. We are certainly not playing at the old Virginia pace where it would be understandable.

The key to the season will be how well George and Kingz increase their contributions as they get more comfortable. The last game they both gave incredible effort with OK results. Both are capable of putting in games like Donnie and Anthony. When (if) we start getting 25 to 30 points from them rather than 15-20 we will be cooking.

The hundred point games from alot of teams is a mirage. We should know from the last few years. Winning games where cupcakes are scoring 85 a game is going to translate to losing seasons in the long run.

Player interviews last night they clearly said they did not even practice offense for most of the offseason. It was all defense at practice.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Forgive me if I missed it but do we know the extent of Betsey’s injury?

Post in thread 'Drexel Postgame Thoughts...'

Yesterday at 6:51 PM

Injury updates for JJ Starling, Tyler Betsey after Syracuse’s win over Drexel

JJ Starling didn't play in SU's win over Drexel on Saturday, while sophomore forward Tyler Betsey suffered an ankle injury.

www.syracuse.com

Syracuse forward Tyler Betsey seemed to roll his ankle midway through the first half of Saturday’s game. The sophomore forward had scored five quick points off the bench before going down in the lane with 9:31 remaining in the first half.

Betsey hobbled off the court and then limped into the team’s locker room for a few minutes before returning to the bench. Betsey never re-entered the game.

“I think it was his ankle, so I think he might’ve twisted...

• OrangeXtreme

• 

 

[Nicknack]

Three things I noticed yesterday. First George could’ve gotten to the hoop against that little guard so many more times and he was not as aggressive as often as he could’ve been. Also, when he did get to the hoop, there was nobody trailing for a drop off or an offensive rebound. Especially in the first half, we got zero help at the basket. George can only do so much without cutters.

Freeman’s shot selection sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. He goes to his fadeaway when a jump stop and baby hook would be preferable. I still am worried about our interior defense getting big boyed against better teams (and picking up fouls). It has been rare, but Freeman was a no show battling on the glass.

Finally on efficiency, I’m watching team after team put up 100 points and we have not cracked 90 yet. I’m not sure our points per possession, but it does seem that we waste too many opportunities. We are certainly not playing at the old Virginia pace where it would be understandable.

The key to the season will be how well George and Kingz increase their contributions as they get more comfortable. The last game they both gave incredible effort with OK results. Both are capable of putting in games like Donnie and Anthony. When (if) we start getting 25 to 30 points from them rather than 15-20 we will be cooking.

A lot here I agree with.

I really hope Freeman doesn't play small against better teams but I can see it happening. I want him to attack. Take the open 3, that's fine, but limit the turn around fadeaways.

If Kingz can start getting it going, that will help our offense a LOT. He's got to bring his A game to vegas.

 

[RedtheGOB]

This team will compete on D as well as any of the elite JB teams for 40 minutes. But even against cupcakes the offense is not efficient. They got so many stops and possessions yesterday and somehow only scored 80. Until someone shows they can get their own shot against a good team I think this team will hang with teams and be competitive but lose by 10
to 15 with the leads ballooning in the last 5 minutes. Also thejr free throw shooting is going to be a problem against better teams when the margin is much smaller.

For a Vegas breakout to happen they need to find a higher gear on offense.. that means George has to take his game seriously one more level, or freeman finds a way to create his own shot and finds his jumper or JJ finds a way to be much much more efficient.

What's your take with us still running 10 guys though and that's without JJ.

You mentioned Freeman and George. They are both averaging only 26 mins a game. Let's say we add 10 mins a game or even 5 mins to their stat sheet. Freeman has also been playing the 5 for a handful of mins. Box score will look alot more efficient running those 2 on the court all game.

I'm not disputing the offense, but I'm also watching a defense just dominate opponents down the stretch of games because they're playing 10 guys and just wearing out the other teams (i know cupcakes), but still.

 

[upperdeck]

Drexel had a ton of long possessions, and we lost the board battle the first half. That alone is worth 10 pts.

We shot 50% 37% and went 11-15 on Fts. Colgate got to 90 but also shot 60/60 and got almost 30 fts. Thats not sustainable either.

 

[DomeHolmes]

The hundred point games from alot of teams is a mirage. We should know from the last few years. Winning games where cupcakes are scoring 85 a game is going to translate to losing seasons in the long run.

Player interviews last night they clearly said they did not even practice offense for most of the offseason. It was all defense at practice.

IMO There is nothing that is a mirage about the way Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, Alabama, Kentucky, st John’s, Yukon, etc. are playing offense. I do believe we have the talent to compete with those teams this year, but as of now they are more polished offensively than we are. The question is, how fast can we gel? Because if we could get to the level they play on offense, we could beat anyone.

The mirage comes from teams like Kennesaw State who leads the nation in scoring because they played two division two schools with enrollment smaller than many high schools.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Drexel had a ton of long possessions, and we lost the board battle the first half. That alone is worth 10 pts.

We shot 50% 37% and went 11-15 on Fts. Colgate got to 90 but also shot 60/60 and got almost 30 fts. Thats not sustainable either.

That is an excellent point about Drexel‘s long possessions. Using 25 seconds then another 15 when they get offensive rebounds, certainly limits our possessions. That is why I was interested to see our points per possession as opposed to just the raw score.

The flipside of that coin is in order to be not just a good offensive team, but a high scoring offensive team, you need to be better at defensive rebounding.

While the 60/60 Colgate shooting percentage is not repeatable as you said, the fact that they got 30 free throws to our 15 means they were more aggressive offensively than we were. (In all likelihood). We settled for, and took too many bad shots and only shot 50% when we could’ve attacked the rim better than we did, shot a higher percentage as a result, and gotten fouled more.

 

[McCuse]

A lot here I agree with.

I really hope Freeman doesn't play small against better teams but I can see it happening. I want him to attack. Take the open 3, that's fine, but limit the turn around fadeaways.

If Kingz can start getting it going, that will help our offense a LOT. He's got to bring his A game to vegas.

Kings is going to get his 3s eventually. Too good a shooter not to start hitting the shots. They will come. I'm pleasantly surprised by the other aspects of his game. 9 rebounds yesterday! He can take it to the hoop as well.

 

[OrangeFoo]

What's your take with us still running 10 guys though and that's without JJ.

You mentioned Freeman and George. They are both averaging only 26 mins a game. Let's say we add 10 mins a game or even 5 mins to their stat sheet. Freeman has also been playing the 5 for a handful of mins. Box score will look alot more efficient running those 2 on the court all game.

I'm not disputing the offense, but I'm also watching a defense just dominate opponents down the stretch of games because they're playing 10 guys and just wearing out the other teams (i know cupcakes), but still.

It’s definitely a tradeoff between the 100% defensive effort and offense. FWIW I think even of freeman played 40 minutes a game I doubt he will score that much more. He doesn’t seem to have any elite offensive skills. He’s getting out muscled on back to basket moves, he hasn’t shown much of a handle to be efficient with his face up game and his jumper has been off

I think Autry is doing the right thing and betting on points from the D. JJ will need to fill the gaps in the O when he get back.

 

[Nicknack]

FWIW I think even of freeman played 40 minutes a game I doubt he will score that much more. He doesn’t seem to have any elite offensive skills. He’s getting out muscled on back to basket moves, he hasn’t shown much of a handle to be efficient with his face up game and his jumper has been off

I think he would score more but I do agree (wish I didn't) with your take that he doesn't seem to have any elite offensive skills. He's very talented, for sure. However, he can sometimes play small by taking 3s and turn around fadeaways. That's what worries me most when we play against good teams, like what we will face in vegas. Against the "cupcakes so far" when he doesn't attack, I feel like he's letting the opposition off the hook. As a team, if we settle, we will likely lose because we don't have elite outside shooting.

 

[CardiacCuse]

This team will compete on D as well as any of the elite JB teams for 40 minutes. But even against cupcakes the offense is not efficient. They got so many stops and possessions yesterday and somehow only scored 80. Until someone shows they can get their own shot against a good team I think this team will hang with teams and be competitive but lose by 10
to 15 with the leads ballooning in the last 5 minutes. Also thejr free throw shooting is going to be a problem against better teams when the margin is much smaller.

For a Vegas breakout to happen they need to find a higher gear on offense.. that means George has to take his game seriously one more level, or freeman finds a way to create his own shot and finds his jumper or JJ finds a way to be much much more efficient.

the offense is fine...need to hit 3s and make free throws and they will score a ton...as is, they usually get a good shot every time down...need to limit forced shots by kiyan, donnie etc,,,i dont think iso ball is it. in fact i hate that style...quick passing and ball movement is where its at

agree about george needs to take over and set people up even more...when he penetrates and dishes, it is extremely high percentage...lot of dunks. i'd like to see kyle get some post up opportunities on offense

overall, the offense is really good but i think they struggle a bit with having so many mouths to feed even though they share the ball well

 

[hoopsupstate]

Houston hangs on for a 73-72 win at Auburn. Tough no calls late for Auburn.

 

[baggerbob]

the offense is fine...need to hit 3s and make free throws and they will score a ton...as is, they usually get a good shot every time down...need to limit forced shots by kiyan, donnie etc,,,i dont think iso ball is it. in fact i hate that style...quick passing and ball movement is where its at

agree about george needs to take over and set people up even more...when he penetrates and dishes, it is extremely high percentage...lot of dunks. i'd like to see kyle get some post up opportunities on offense

overall, the offense is really good but i think they struggle a bit with having so many mouths to feed even though they share the ball well

I think a lot of teams after the first 10 minutes of most of our games are going to take the air out of the ball. With everyone on this team being able and willing to run, other teams will slow the pace.
That's why I like the fact Red is playing a lot of guys and picking up before half court.
Keep everyone fresh, pressure, and force other teams out of their comfort zone.
If you pressure teams long enough it can create runs, and that's what this team needs.
If you do that every game, the opposing team is going to be constantly worried about you going on a run.

 

[Nicknack]

the offense is fine...need to hit 3s and make free throws and they will score a ton...as is, they usually get a good shot every time down...need to limit forced shots by kiyan, donnie etc,,,i dont think iso ball is it.

I'm nitpicking here because I don't disagree generally about what you're saying. However, the one player on the team I'm least concerned about forcing shots is the guy you list first. I'm much more concerned about forcing or settling for shots from Donnie and JJ. Kiyan usually does such a good job NOT settling and taking what the defense is giving him (which is what I love about his game).

 

[CardiacCuse]

I'm nitpicking here because I don't disagree generally about what you're saying. However, the one player on the team I'm least concerned about forcing shots is the guy you list first. I'm much more concerned about forcing or settling for shots from Donnie and JJ. Kiyan usually does such a good job NOT settling and taking what the defense is giving him (which is what I love about his game).

its not been a huge issue but the only 2 players ive seen force a couple shots are kiyan and donnie. (i havent been able to watch every minute of every game...i saw posts about betsey gunning too...)

overall, everyone on the team can pass and is a good passer - the idea is to try and turn good shots into great ones...this team can do that.

shot selection has been pretty good so far...Im just saying I think it can and should be a strength of the team considering almost everyone on the team is a good passer - george, kiyan, even kyle, etc etc...all these guys are pretty nifty with a pass...

winning the "shot quality" battle seems like a good goal ...and one that will lead to victories if accomplished

 

[Nicknack]

its not been a huge issue but the only 2 players ive seen force a couple shots are kiyan and donnie. (i havent been able to watch every minute of every game...i saw posts about betsey gunning too...)

overall, everyone on the team can pass and is a good passer - the idea is to try and turn good shots into great ones...this team can do that.

shot selection has been pretty good so far...Im just saying I think it can and should be a strength of the team considering almost everyone on the team is a good passer - george, kiyan, even kyle, etc etc...all these guys are pretty nifty with a pass...

winning the "shot quality" battle seems like a good goal ...and one that will lead to victories if accomplished

Yeah, not sure how much stock i'd put into that assessment when you're not watching the full game(s). Kiyan, in my opinion, is the best player we have in terms of not forcing shots. He's so good at finding the best shot rather than heaving something up. Kiyan is currently shooting 63.6% and 44.4% from 3. To contrast that, last year JJ was 41% and 27% respectively. Donnie is currently 57% and 33%. George is 50% and 40%. Kingz career stats (to be fair to him) are 49% and 42%.

Betsey forced a couple in the first game but I don't recall him doing that much in the last couple games. I think he's done a much better job (at least so far) in that department. The guys I'm most concerned about taking forced shots are JJ and Donnie (but to a much lesser degree and I think he will only improve in that regard this year).