what gets us to the final four?

[SyracuseFan]

We have depth and can win in different ways but most of us agree half course offense needs to improve. We have shown flashes of better motion (cincy), shown ability to have quicker passes and the extra pass (sju).

That said "we have shown improvement but still inconsistent" maybe sju is a turning point? Transition points don't win championships.

So that being said; what's more likely to happen?
Fab Melo's half court offense improves or Kris Joseph decides to get back to the basics? Either one will improve our half court offense.

If Kris catches the ball and darts to the hole without dribbling between his legs (aka waiting for the defense to get set) he can take over games, just like he used to. This is what gives him space to get his shot off. His ft shooting could be the difference, quick slashes allow him to finish and get fouled. Jay Bilas is right stop the fancy dribbling. it could just mean the difference between an elite eight and our 2nd National Championship.

 

[skurey]

4 wins in the NCAA tournament

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

seeing teams like Gonzaga/Florida as our 2nd/3rd round matchups will make it easier. We want teams that don't play defense waiting for us. I dont want to see Temple and teams that are disciplined defensively. I'm afraid of us in a half court slugfest against a team that plays harder on defense and dives for every loose ball like their lives counted on it.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

 

[arbitragegls]

...believe ESPNInsider showed that 'Cuse was #2 in half court offense last week--i posted the #s then...I find our half court offense to be lacking...but that maybe simply that we shoot so fast...as JB says, passing the ball five, six, seven times or more means that no good shot was available...for example in last two games, our 3s appeared wide open...we took the shots and mostly missed...but if a few more went in the games would have been lopsided wins rather than as close as they were...so half court offense is dependent on shot selection...JB believes you got the shot take it...regardless of time off clock

 

[SourShoes]

Tiger's blood and a few warlocks would help as well.

 

[GardenOrange]

seeing teams like Gonzaga/Florida as our 2nd/3rd round matchups will make it easier. We want teams that don't play defense waiting for us. I dont want to see Temple and teams that are disciplined defensively. I'm afraid of us in a half court slugfest against a team that plays harder on defense and dives for every loose ball like their lives counted on it.

I agree. Teams that want to make the game a wrestling match traditionally give SU a much harder time. (Pitt, Butler, Marquette) We want to see a team that likes to outscore the other team. SU tends to own teams like this.

 

[Frozen]

What gets us to the final four?


I don't know. Some sort of aircraft, I guess.

 

[Upstate]

Defense and getting out in transition.

 

[stuckinbig11]

good shooting

 

[Dcuse]

good shooting

What he said. No need to analyze any further.We shoot well-We win

 

[RF2044]

#1, 2, and 3: Rebounding
#4: See #1, 2, and 3

If we can hold our own on the glass, we've got a shot to beat anybody--and I mean anybody. Shooting comes and goes. Offense can be in short supply depending on game tempo. Our defense has been consistently solid all year--we need to prevent teams from getting second and third chances in their half court sets. In games where we haven't shot well, rebounding has been the great equalizer for our opponents.

If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.

 

[SU2NASA]

Winning the first four games.

 

[arrow2arinzesknee]

Call me crazy but I think its all on the zone and not playing a team that is familiar with it or that gets crazy hot from 3.

Also Melo's health is imperative IMO.

Our offense struggled without him as much as our defense,

I would take this team, where 6 guys can get hot and score 15 plus points, (Joseph, Triche, Scoop, Southerland, Waiters, CJ) I mean does a 15 pt game from either of those guys shock you? how many other teams have 6 legit threats to score without even mentioning Melo's easy dunks and a few obligatory put-backs from Baye or X-mas? having 7 guys who can drop 10 on you any given night with 2 or 3 that can do 20+ is pretty unique and devastating IMO.

It keeps a cold shooting night from one or two key players from equaling an early exit in the tournament, which is pivotal to say the least.

But if a young talented team like Kentucky has to face a 2-3 zone that can eliminate their inside presence and put pressure on the wings, can't a few turnovers open the floodgates for us? The ability of this team to go on dominating runs is so underrated, I mean how many games have been 5 point or so games with five or six minutes left in the first half and before you know it its halftime and you are up 20? that can demoralize a young team.

 

[CuseCrew08]

Converting open 3's, we've missed a TON of open shots lately.

 

[Shermthegeneral]

Luck of the draw! If we play a team with 3-4 shooters that can knock down 3's, we could be in trouble. Oh and did I say luck!?

 

[Moontan]

Outscoring the opposition.

 

[RoysRunts]

D/Rebounding/FT%