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[QUOTE="Shrmdougluvr, post: 1993177, member: 396"]
My thoughts:

1.  The systems that are in place are really intended to be most effective in the tourney.  Most teams we play their will not have seen a 2-3 zone all year and if they have, not one extended out like SU plays.  On 3-4 days or less to prepare, this benefits Syracuse.

2.  The zone is less effective in the ACC and against teams with familiarity.  Wisconsin and UCONN are tough match ups out of conference because they no how to play against the zone.  GTOWN will be the same.

3.  The zone seems much less innovative then previous.  That concerns me.  Boeheim found something that worked, that he liked, and essentially forgot what got him his greatest success - coming up with an innovative defense.

4.  For his wealth of knowledge, Boeheim has underachieved with this program.  He has every resource to be successful.  He's had three "once-in-a-generation players," and he's won one title (while leading the program into probation twice).

5.  The athletic limitations of this team are costing it on defense.  Coleman, White, Lydon and Gillon are all subpar fits for the zone.  Lydon was a freakin pogo stick last year, and this year he looks doughy and sluggish.

6.  The not having an offense thing kills us against teams that throw out athletes and play pressure half court d.  We're really going to struggle against teams like Clemson, FSU and Virginia as well (the South Carolina types).

Having said all of that, this team, perhaps more than any other we've had, is built for March.  White and Gillon need more time to acclimate.  Howard and Battle need more time to develop.  Let's just hope we win enough to get there.
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