The good news: our men's hoops team finally takes the court tonight after more than a week off.
The bad news: they play one of the best teams in the country.
I'll be hoping we keep it within 20, but even that might be asking too much. To be fair, outside of beating San Diego State on an aircraft carrier with heavy wind gusts, Syracuse hasn't exactly played anyone of note (save for a mediocre Arkansas team).
The only way we have a chance to keep this one close is if we make our 3's, and Cuse keeps sucking at theirs. Outside of James Southerland (who is a ridiculous 54% from deep), their best long range shooter this season has been CJ Fair, hitting an ugly 28% of his three-balls. If DT, Daylen, and the other guards can hit their shots and force Cuse to play at our pace, we can keep it within 10-15 points. If not...blowout city. Simple as that.
(12-03-2012 10:04 AM)EagleSam Wrote: [ -> ]The good news: our men's hoops team finally takes the court tonight after more than a week off.
The bad news: they play one of the best teams in the country.
I'll be hoping we keep it within 20, but even that might be asking too much. To be fair, outside of beating San Diego State on an aircraft carrier with heavy wind gusts, Syracuse hasn't exactly played anyone of note (save for a mediocre Arkansas team).
The only way we have a chance to keep this one close is if we make our 3's, and Cuse keeps sucking at theirs. Outside of James Southerland (who is a ridiculous 54% from deep), their best long range shooter this season has been CJ Fair, hitting an ugly 28% of his three-balls. If DT, Daylen, and the other guards can hit their shots and force Cuse to play at our pace, we can keep it within 10-15 points. If not...blowout city. Simple as that.
In the USA Today we are a 25 point dog.
How about DT and Riley?
DT needs one of those out of body experience games and Riley needs to get it done on the defense to erase the effects of 'Cuses' athleticism.
And we need James Southerland to somehow jam the thumb on his shooting hand.
Honestly, I'll be looking mostly at how hard we fight if we get down big early. We still don't know a helluva lot about this team...how will they respond to an ass-whooping? It's worth asking.
I agree on Riley. I want to see him play as hard as he did against Texas P-A and Madonna. Our front court actually matches up nicely with theirs in terms of size (if Jamell is on the court). Limit the inside scoring and force their guards to make outside shots, which they haven't really done this year.
Again, a lot easier said than done against Cuse.
(12-03-2012 10:18 AM)EagleSam Wrote: [ -> ]And we need James Southerland to somehow jam the thumb on his shooting hand.
Honestly, I'll be looking mostly at how hard we fight if we get down big early. We still don't know a helluva lot about this team...how will they respond to an ass-whooping? It's worth asking.
I agree on Riley. I want to see him play as hard as he did against Texas P-A and Madonna. Our front court actually matches up nicely with theirs in terms of size (if Jamell is on the court). Limit the inside scoring and force their guards to make outside shots, which they haven't really done this year.
Again, a lot easier said than done against Cuse.
If I remember the Madonna game correctly, they shot very well over the zone in the 1st half.
Then, as they say, live by the three and die by the three. The treys didn't keep falling and EMU's athleticism wore them down until at the end if was more like "Midnight Madness" than an actual game...
I'll be at the REC/IM 2nd floor.
I watched a few minutes of the Syracuse/Arkansas game (I taped some of it - don't know if it is out on ESPN3's media archive), but 'Cuse has a very skilled 6' 6" PG, with a hyphened name (he is long for a PG and so is his name).
I'm wondering if Murphy will start Ray Lee and try to go size vs. size at PG?
Ross would be giving up 6 or 7 inches and that is...
Otherwise the size match ups aren't bad. We aren't a small team.
Sutherland is a real gunner from behind the arc. Don't know who will guard him? Harrison?
Carter-Williams is the PG. All 6 - 6 who does it all and loves to drive the lane.
Riley will be the tallest player on the court.
Curious how Riley will do vs. the 'Cuse zone. He should know how to play against it.
Up 4-2! Hey now!
A block a piece for Riley and Bryant so far.
We're playing Murphy Ball!!
6-2 at first TV time out. Nice dunk by Bryant on a tipped three point attempt from Thompson.
DT has to slow down. Forcing too many shots. Get Daylen involved.
10-5. Our freshmen PGs look a bit overwhelmed, but we are somehow still up. They better take care of the ball, or Cuse could go on a run.
Our half court defense has been terrific. Bryant and Riley with two blocks each.
(12-03-2012 07:22 PM)EagleSam Wrote: [ -> ]10-5. Our freshmen PGs look a bit overwhelmed, but we are somehow still up. They better take care of the ball, or Cuse could go on a run.
Our half court defense has been terrific. Bryant and Riley with two blocks each.
Talley will be the PG next year.
Thank god, because our freshmen look lost trying to break this press. Too much standing around. Both Ross and Lee are fast enough to split double teams and break it by themselves. They are playing apprehensively.
Cuse takes the lead 14-12.
Fun watching the Orange try to go inside vs. Riley.
Riley is getting his share of blocks.
I have Riley with 3 blocks.
Starting to get away from us. Offense is too stagnant. No movement at all.
The shooting needs work and way to many TO.
We have no offense and ballhandling is terrible. 20 turnovers in a half going to set a record?
It's a shame too, because our half court D has been very good. Most of their points have come off TOs.
(12-03-2012 07:58 PM)emussuperfan Wrote: [ -> ]We have no offense and ballhandling is terrible. 20 turnovers in a half going to set a record?
yep, pretty simple:
'Cuse is making their shots and able to do their full court press.
First 10 minutes they didn't make their shots and therefore couldn't press.
Our defense isn't bad. We have 5 blocks already.
We don't know how to break a full court press!!
Ross is a frosh PG. Lee is a frosh combo guard.