We got a vote!

[CuseTroop]

 

[jdubs30]

666 total votes huh

 

[Briancuse]

How is that even possible?

 

[Bill Orange]

@dougherty_jesse: Great Boeheim reaction when he heard SU got a 1st-place vote. Before he heard it was media, said it was probably Jamie Dixon playing a joke.

 

[JayCuse]

View attachment 53385

Grayson Allen over Gbinije? I dont think so.

 

[longislandcuse]

Miami and FSU at 5 and 6? Why do I feel like these teams are always overhyped going into every year since we joined.

 

[Flacusian]

Everyone should save a copy of this poll. With all of the negative juju that's been thrown around about Syracuse and Jimmy B... there is very likely a great deal of underestimation about how our program is going to do in the coming season. I'd be willing to bet that this group will coalesce into a formidable team that will dispense with quite a few of the teams that are listed in front of it on this "list".

I'd also be willing to bet that one James Boeheim is even more highly motivated than usual when it comes to setting goals for this team in the coming season. It's a given that we need a few things to line up for us, especially getting some semblance of a healthy season from Dajuan Coleman and the rapid development of our freshmen (soon to be freshman phenoms).

I've grown to be quite excited about some of the prospects this team represents which contrast so some of the recent teams which struggled so mightily to score from time to time. It's sort of great going into a season "under the radar" when we also are aware of the fact that there could be some special aspects to this team and the upcoming season. I think back to the year that Otis Hill and the rest of the team surprisingly marched deep into March when they weren't expected to do anything of the sort.

All things considered... I like this team and I like our chances to rise up through the ranks in the ACC and in the country as well. LGO!!!!!

 

[orangefan13]

In fairness Two 5th year seniors in the backcourt for a team like syracuse, 9th is a tough ranking.
Of course nobody really knows squat about our freshmen either.

75% of them have no clue who tyler lydon is and the other 25% who do only watched richardson in a mcd. aa game that wasn't built for his style of play.

We also have more depth then usual. When Syracuse teams have depth its usually a scary thing.

 

[two3zone]

Everyone should save a copy of this poll. With all of the negative juju that's been thrown around about Syracuse and Jimmy B... there is very likely a great deal of underestimation about how our program is going to do in the coming season. I'd be willing to bet that this group will coalesce into a formidable team that will dispense with quite a few of the teams that are listed in front of it on this "list".

I'd also be willing to bet that one James Boeheim is even more highly motivated than usual when it comes to setting goals for this team in the coming season. It's a given that we need a few things to line up for us, especially getting some semblance of a healthy season from Dajuan Coleman and the rapid development of our freshmen (soon to be freshman phenoms).

I've grown to be quite excited about some of the prospects this team represents which contrast so some of the recent teams which struggled so mightily to score from time to time. It's sort of great going into a season "under the radar" when we also are aware of the fact that there could be some special aspects to this team and the upcoming season. I think back to the year that Otis Hill and the rest of the team surprisingly marched deep into March when they weren't expected to do anything of the sort.

All things considered... I like this team and I like our chances to rise up through the ranks in the ACC and in the country as well. LGO!!!!!

I get it, but with everything you've brought up we still have some major major question marks. You, me, JB, doctors, and DC himself has no idea what he'll be able to contribute this season. Even if we go REALLY high and say he's playing 30 minutes a game we still have a black hole not only on offense but defense as well with Chinoso manning the 5.

If there is one program in the country that doesn't know what to expect out of freshman players it should be us. Outside of Ennis we have not exactly been "lucky" when it comes to freshman coming in and lighting it up. McCullough was possibly our biggest recruit since Melo that came in and even with his accolades and first round talent he didn't exactly light it up. What separates him and Lydon? What make these freshman so much better than the freshman that have come in the past years? What makes them more ready?

I'm a huge Cooney fan, but what is making him more more efficient shooting? I honestly believe he can hit 40%+ from 3 and hope he does, but if Lydon or Richardson look like they're not going to cut it early on whether it's on defense or whatever keeps them off the floor and Cooney is back to bulk shooting he's going to have similar seasons as his past two.

I'm not being negative, I'm not saying it's not possible that we're in the top 5 of the ACC but there are just as many things going against us as for us.

In fairness Two 5th year seniors in the backcourt for a team like syracuse, 9th is a tough ranking.
Of course nobody really knows squat about our freshmen either.

75% of them have no clue who tyler lydon is and the other 25% who do only watched richardson in a mcd. aa game that wasn't built for his style of play.

We also have more depth then usual. When Syracuse teams have depth its usually a scary thing.

How do we have more depth than usual? We have nobody behind a center that we'll be lucky to get 25 minutes a game from. We have a freshman PG/SG that will be lucky to get 5 minutes a game. Outside of that we're rolling with Joseph, Cooney, Richardson, Silent G, Lydon, Roberson, and Coleman. That's 7 guys that are legit guys who are going to be getting minutes and who'd I'd consider trusted, 2 are freshman who are wild cards and DC is the ultimate wild card. Depth is not a word I'd use to describe this team.

Again, we could be good but there is just too many variables IMO that put us in the top 5 of the ACC, maybe the biggest one is not having a HOF coach on the sideline for 9 league.

 

[rrlbees]

So we have a chance?

 

[Brooky03]

I get it, but with everything you've brought up we still have some major major question marks. You, me, JB, doctors, and DC himself has no idea what he'll be able to contribute this season. Even if we go REALLY high and say he's playing 30 minutes a game we still have a black hole not only on offense but defense as well with Chinoso manning the 5.

If there is one program in the country that doesn't know what to expect out of freshman players it should be us. Outside of Ennis we have not exactly been "lucky" when it comes to freshman coming in and lighting it up. McCullough was possibly our biggest recruit since Melo that came in and even with his accolades and first round talent he didn't exactly light it up. What separates him and Lydon? What make these freshman so much better than the freshman that have come in the past years? What makes them more ready?

I'm a huge Cooney fan, but what is making him more more efficient shooting? I honestly believe he can hit 40%+ from 3 and hope he does, but if Lydon or Richardson look like they're not going to cut it early on whether it's on defense or whatever keeps them off the floor and Cooney is back to bulk shooting he's going to have similar seasons as his past two.

I'm not being negative, I'm not saying it's not possible that we're in the top 5 of the ACC but there are just as many things going against us as for us.




How do we have more depth than usual? We have nobody behind a center that we'll be lucky to get 25 minutes a game from. We have a freshman PG/SG that will be lucky to get 5 minutes a game. Outside of that we're rolling with Joseph, Cooney, Richardson, Silent G, Lydon, Roberson, and Coleman. That's 7 guys that are legit guys who are going to be getting minutes and who'd I'd consider trusted, 2 are freshman who are wild cards and DC is the ultimate wild card. Depth is not a word I'd use to describe this team.

Again, we could be good but there is just too many variables IMO that put us in the top 5 of the ACC, maybe the biggest one is not having a HOF coach on the sideline for 9 league.

A lot of your analysis is hanging on the freshman. Agreed, there are questions revolving around them, but I don't think the questions are as big as you're letting on. Freshman have come in before and contributed here on a pretty normal basis, so I don't see any reason not to be optimistic about Richardson and Lydon. They have height, they have athleticism, they can shoot. Cooney will be freed for more open 3's, Gbinije will actually have players to pass to and spread the floor for his drives, and Coleman and Roberson will benefit from the improved floor spacing too.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

That's a pretty good list.

For me to poop on.

 

[two3zone]

A lot of your analysis is hanging on the freshman. Agreed, there are questions revolving around them, but I don't think the questions are as big as you're letting on. Freshman have come in before and contributed here on a pretty normal basis, so I don't see any reason not to be optimistic about Richardson and Lydon. They have height, they have athleticism, they can shoot. Cooney will be freed for more open 3's, Gbinije will actually have players to pass to and spread the floor for his drives, and Coleman and Roberson will benefit from the improved floor spacing too.

Outside of Ennis when was the last freshman who've come in and delivered as a first year player that we've actually needed to depend on?

6-7 years ago?

 

[OrangeMojo]

I think back to the year that Otis Hill and the rest of the team surprisingly marched deep into March when they weren't expected to do anything of the sort.

"and the rest of the team" just happened to include an unstoppable force named John Wallace. Man I hope there is someone on this team that has a season even remotely comparable to what he did that year - we will all be very happy if that's the case.

 

[Brooky03]

Outside of Ennis when was the last freshman who've come in and delivered as a first year player that we've actually needed to depend on?

6-7 years ago?

I don't understand the 'needed to depend on' qualifier. I can think of a handful of freshman lately who have come in and contributed right away, but they weren't asked to start because we had upperclassmen in front of them. Given your qualifier, I don't know if they would count. But I don't agree that your qualifier should apply.

 

[bballbeadle]

I get it, but with everything you've brought up we still have some major major question marks. You, me, JB, doctors, and DC himself has no idea what he'll be able to contribute this season. Even if we go REALLY high and say he's playing 30 minutes a game we still have a black hole not only on offense but defense as well with Chinoso manning the 5.

If there is one program in the country that doesn't know what to expect out of freshman players it should be us. Outside of Ennis we have not exactly been "lucky" when it comes to freshman coming in and lighting it up. McCullough was possibly our biggest recruit since Melo that came in and even with his accolades and first round talent he didn't exactly light it up. What separates him and Lydon? What make these freshman so much better than the freshman that have come in the past years? What makes them more ready?

I'm a huge Cooney fan, but what is making him more more efficient shooting? I honestly believe he can hit 40%+ from 3 and hope he does, but if Lydon or Richardson look like they're not going to cut it early on whether it's on defense or whatever keeps them off the floor and Cooney is back to bulk shooting he's going to have similar seasons as his past two.

I'm not being negative, I'm not saying it's not possible that we're in the top 5 of the ACC but there are just as many things going against us as for us.

How do we have more depth than usual? We have nobody behind a center that we'll be lucky to get 25 minutes a game from. We have a freshman PG/SG that will be lucky to get 5 minutes a game. Outside of that we're rolling with Joseph, Cooney, Richardson, Silent G, Lydon, Roberson, and Coleman. That's 7 guys that are legit guys who are going to be getting minutes and who'd I'd consider trusted, 2 are freshman who are wild cards and DC is the ultimate wild card. Depth is not a word I'd use to describe this team.

Again, we could be good but there is just too many variables IMO that put us in the top 5 of the ACC, maybe the biggest one is not having a HOF coach on the sideline for 9 league.

Now I have sad face.

 

[OrangeDW]

Seeing Notre Dame, Miami, Florida St., and NC State listed ahead does not sit right with me. 9th? Behind those schools? Just disrespectful. It fires me up, so I can't imagine how much that should fire our team up.

 

[pearl31]

Miami and FSU at 5 and 6? Why do I feel like these teams are always overhyped going into every year since we joined.

for sure FSU is and they virtually never fail to underachieve, though they do seem to always pull of a big upset or two along the way

 

[pearl31]

Seeing Notre Dame, Miami, Florida St., and NC State listed ahead does not sit right with me. 9th? Behind those schools? Just disrespectful. It fires me up, so I can't imagine how much that should fire our team up.

yep, I honestly think we'll finish better than those teams you mention - with the exception of Miami, I think they're legit this year especially with Larinaga coaching

 

[Flacusian]

Now I have sad face.

Don't have a sad face!~ Never listen to who Spiro Agnew once referred to as "the nattering nabobs of negativity"

 

[orangefan13]

Outside of Ennis when was the last freshman who've come in and delivered as a first year player that we've actually needed to depend on?

6-7 years ago?

Three point shots are the easiest looks for freshmen to get.
And Outside cooney, and maybe BJ/MCW nobody else in that period was above average at shooting 3 pointers in high school.
Gbinije, Fair,Roberson, McCullough, Patterson, Joseph, Dion,were not yet.
Fab had good offensive skills in highschool but then again he was 7 foot tall. Rak Keita didn't have the offensive skills and Dajuan had to get used to the size difference of the college game.
Fair was a exception.

JB has stated these freshmen are ready for this speed level of play, and are are way ahead of the usual freshmen.
JB personally said Lydon may be the best three point shooter on this team two weeks in, and hinted to great things about Malachi's three point shot. Also take in account the size, Lydon is 6'8 almost 6'9 and Malachi releases the ball well from chest up which helps for a shooter.

JB also has said Howard is our best passer in terms of setting people up he does a better job then Gbinije and Joseph, and it was easily noticable at Orange Madness. At midnight madness there was nothing tentative he dribbled the ball well into open space, appeared to see the entire floor in the halfcourt without slowing down as good as any freshmen guard I have ever seen at first impression.
He even hit a few threes including a stepback one after dribbling into open space just inside the three poitn line. My own personal rule I rarely to never count on freshmen points driving the lane well as fresh most are primarily entry pass pg's who get just inside the three point line, therefore that rule of thumb usually rolls over to sg's as well. I think his three point shot will play a huge roll in him earning minutes.

There is no reason to suggest any of the three aren't ready though. The glass is half both ways.

I will never forget James Southerland burying 5 threes in his first game here, and then dissapearing for 21/2 years. But at the same time I will never forget GMac and Carmelo Anthony ready to come in and shoot the three ball as fresh. Devendorf averaged 12 ppg as a fresh in 27 minutes. These things happen.

I agree statistics say freshmen usually hit walls but JB has hinted towards real positive results so far.

 

[orangefan13]

I also feel this team has awesome defensive potential outside of center.
Gbinije, Cooney, Roberson, Lydon has the potential to be a very very good defensive four pressuring, rebounding, laterally and blocking shots. You roll those four out together and I am as excited preseason as any 2 guard 2 forward lineup of ours in the last decade defensively. Of course thats still preseason, but I never saw 09-10 defensively preseason coming, these four I would. They look the part.

 

[bballbeadle]

Don't have a sad face!~ Never listen to what Spiro Agnew once refered to as "the nattering nabobs of negativity"

I was actually alive when Spiro said that!

The thing is, I think two3zone makes some good points.

Speculation about potential is what makes opening season so much fun. Anything is possible! Some people low ball so that they can be pleasantly surprised. Some people high ball because it helps them get up in the morning. Count me in the latter category. If we end up sucking, I'll deal with it when the time comes.

 

[bballbeadle]

Three point shots are the easiest looks for freshmen to get.
And Outside cooney, and maybe BJ/MCW nobody else in that period was above average at shooting 3 pointers in high school.
Gbinije, Fair,Roberson, McCullough, Patterson, Joseph, Dion,were not yet.
Fab had good offensive skills in highschool but then again he was 7 foot tall. Rak Keita didn't have the offensive skills and Dajuan had to get used to the size difference of the college game.
Fair was a exception.

JB has stated these freshmen are ready for this speed level of play, and are are way ahead of the usual freshmen.
JB personally said Lydon may be the best three point shooter on this team two weeks in, and hinted to great things about Malachi's three point shot. Also take in account the size, Lydon is 6'8 almost 6'9 and Malachi releases the ball well from chest up which helps for a shooter.

JB also has said Howard is our best passer in terms of setting people up he does a better job then Gbinije and Joseph, and it was easily noticable at Orange Madness. At midnight madness there was nothing tentative he dribbled the ball well into open space, appeared to see the entire floor in the halfcourt without slowing down as good as any freshmen guard I have ever seen at first impression.
He even hit a few threes including a stepback one after dribbling into open space just inside the three poitn line. My own personal rule I rarely to never count on freshmen points driving the lane well as fresh most are primarily entry pass pg's who get just inside the three point line, therefore that rule of thumb usually rolls over to sg's as well. I think his three point shot will play a huge roll in him earning minutes.

There is no reason to suggest any of the three aren't ready though. The glass is half both ways.

I will never forget James Southerland burying 5 threes in his first game here, and then dissapearing for 21/2 years. But at the same time I will never forget GMac and Carmelo Anthony ready to come in and shoot the three ball as fresh. Devendorf averaged 12 ppg as a fresh in 27 minutes. These things happen.

I agree statistics say freshmen usually hit walls but JB has hinted towards real positive results so far.

Did Coach say anything about Coleman? From the things I have read, his name was conspicuous in its absence. But I haven't read everything.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Did Coach say anything about Coleman? From the things I have read, his name was conspicuous in its absence. But I haven't read everything.

Coleman is fine. His rust is a bigger issue than his health right now.

As far as the team goes I'm unsure good or bad right now. Talent is there.

I think the keys to the team are Malachi and Lydon. I think we know Roberson, G, and Cooney will produce the most, but even the freshman play like a freshman year Brandon Triche and not a freshman year Kaleb Joseph that will be good for this team.