DNic is is now a member of the Cavs...as most of you knew by now...but he has survived the final cut as the Cavs cut Tolliver to trim the roster to the 14 players they need.
Heres the link:
Cavs Transactions
DNic was at the game yesterday for the Cavs but did not play as expected...Hopefully he'll get a chance soon enough.
Also in the news was the fact that Mookie made the Kings roster...well at least for now. This is somewhat of a surprise to me, although he did play extremely well during the pre-season.
More to come later as I have returned since the bball season is back!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Midnight Madness
Just a couple quick thoughts on midnight madness:
First of all I think it is great for Syracuse to be participating in midnight madness this coming year! It is going to be great for the fans and a great chance for the incoming freshmen to play in front of 10,000+ screaming fans! No better way to get them used to the dome than to actually get them used to the dome! Hopefully no one gets hurt though trying to showboat for the fans!
Secondly, I better see fans show up to this! Gross and Jimmy B are finally giving fans something they have wanted, so the fans better respond! I know there was only 3,000+ fans at the football teams first scrimmage, but that's the football team! I can't even name 10 starters on the football team! Fans better show up and support this team for what looks like it will be a very entertaining (if nothing else) season!
GO 'CUSE!!
First of all I think it is great for Syracuse to be participating in midnight madness this coming year! It is going to be great for the fans and a great chance for the incoming freshmen to play in front of 10,000+ screaming fans! No better way to get them used to the dome than to actually get them used to the dome! Hopefully no one gets hurt though trying to showboat for the fans!
Secondly, I better see fans show up to this! Gross and Jimmy B are finally giving fans something they have wanted, so the fans better respond! I know there was only 3,000+ fans at the football teams first scrimmage, but that's the football team! I can't even name 10 starters on the football team! Fans better show up and support this team for what looks like it will be a very entertaining (if nothing else) season!
GO 'CUSE!!
Monday, April 23, 2007
IM BACK!!
Sorry for the lack of posts and lack of any sort of action on here! I have been really busy with a new job and a new home so I haven't had the time to post. Plus, I was trying to wait a month to post anything after the NIT was over. But anyways I am back and ready for this coming year!
I watched the Jordan Classic the other day and noticed two things about Donte that I hope was just him playing in an all star game. First of all, in the few games I have seen of him, he seems very disintereted in playing any type of defense. Like I said, this could just be because he has been playing in all star games, but his lack of motivation on the defensive end scares me. Secondly, he has got to rebound more! I realize he is very thin and will probably develop more in the coming years, but he also needs to attack the boards with a purpose. I'm sure Jimmy B will make sure Donte looks out for these two points before the season begins.
With the upcoming season about 7 months away here is my starting 5 prediction:
PG: Flynn (Wright will probably start at the beginning and then give way)
SG: Devo
SF: Harris/Greene
PF: Harris/Greene
C: Onuaku
Top bench players (in order of minutes): Rautins, Jackson, Wright, Scoop, Brennan-McBride, and Williams will redshirt
The reason I have Harris and Greene in both positions is because it depends on the situation. I think these two match up well against whatever defense is against them. If Harris is guarded by a smaller man then he posts up and plays inside as the 4. If he gets a bigger man on him then that makes Greene the 3 with a smaller man on him and he can shoot over him. All depends on the matchups that the defense deploys. Should be interesting to watch these two depending on the defenses.
On defense I think you will see Syracuse play a lot more man2man this year as long as Donte can hold up against a bigger defender. If not then the zone will take away the fact that Greene and Harris wouldn't be playing a set position as they both would be on the wings of the zone. I can see Harris guarding the other teams 4 man straight up without a problem so again it should be interesting to watch.
Looking at the team on paper the Orange have a chance to start 4 McDonald's All Americans. Yes, it may look like the UConn team of last year but that UConn team had no Juniors or Seniors, this Orange team has enough experience to carry the youngsters. Plus Flynn and Greene have developed a good bit of chemistry during these All Star games to make it fun to watch. Oh and don't forget Flynn and Harris used to be teammates! I know I am looking forward to this year. I'm always optimistic though...
GO 'CUSE!!
I watched the Jordan Classic the other day and noticed two things about Donte that I hope was just him playing in an all star game. First of all, in the few games I have seen of him, he seems very disintereted in playing any type of defense. Like I said, this could just be because he has been playing in all star games, but his lack of motivation on the defensive end scares me. Secondly, he has got to rebound more! I realize he is very thin and will probably develop more in the coming years, but he also needs to attack the boards with a purpose. I'm sure Jimmy B will make sure Donte looks out for these two points before the season begins.
With the upcoming season about 7 months away here is my starting 5 prediction:
PG: Flynn (Wright will probably start at the beginning and then give way)
SG: Devo
SF: Harris/Greene
PF: Harris/Greene
C: Onuaku
Top bench players (in order of minutes): Rautins, Jackson, Wright, Scoop, Brennan-McBride, and Williams will redshirt
The reason I have Harris and Greene in both positions is because it depends on the situation. I think these two match up well against whatever defense is against them. If Harris is guarded by a smaller man then he posts up and plays inside as the 4. If he gets a bigger man on him then that makes Greene the 3 with a smaller man on him and he can shoot over him. All depends on the matchups that the defense deploys. Should be interesting to watch these two depending on the defenses.
On defense I think you will see Syracuse play a lot more man2man this year as long as Donte can hold up against a bigger defender. If not then the zone will take away the fact that Greene and Harris wouldn't be playing a set position as they both would be on the wings of the zone. I can see Harris guarding the other teams 4 man straight up without a problem so again it should be interesting to watch.
Looking at the team on paper the Orange have a chance to start 4 McDonald's All Americans. Yes, it may look like the UConn team of last year but that UConn team had no Juniors or Seniors, this Orange team has enough experience to carry the youngsters. Plus Flynn and Greene have developed a good bit of chemistry during these All Star games to make it fun to watch. Oh and don't forget Flynn and Harris used to be teammates! I know I am looking forward to this year. I'm always optimistic though...
GO 'CUSE!!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Now that the dust has settled...
I would just like to say first off that I correctly picked 63 of the 65 teams correctly in my mock brackets below (same as Mr. Lunardi). I had Syracuse and Drexel in and Stanford and Arkansas out.
Now, what I would like to say is what I have been telling my friends for the last two days. I think the committee got 63-64 of the 65 teams correct. I think the last 3-4 spots should have came down to Illinois, Arkansas, Stanford, Purdue, Syracuse, Drexel, and Kansas State. Now of this group the committee took four of them. No one can sit here and tell me, someone who watches as much college basketball as any of the experts, that Syracuse is not one of the four best teams out of that group! I have no problem with Stanford, Purdue, and Illinois being in the tournament as I think they are all deserving. But, I have a big problem with Arkansas!
The problem I see is this: If Arkansas isn't in then should Syracuse be in over Drexel? Yes Drexel beat Syracuse head to head...But, the game was played over two months ago! Drexel couldn't beat the top teams in the CAA how could they beat the top teams in the Big East like the Orange did? The committee is getting too wrapped up in numbers and not looking at the teams as a whole. If Syracuse and Drexel and Arkansas all played on a neutral court 20 times who would win the majority? That is the question that should be asked. You give Syracuse a shot at any of them in their own building and the Orange would win 7 of 10 times! Those are the facts the committee should look at.
One more point I would like to make about the snub is that of Villanova. I have been saying all year that I thought they should be in the tournament if they made a run. My predictions in a previous post way back when stated this fact that if they could get to better than 9-7 and make a run in the BE tourney that they would be in. Well, they finished at 9-7 and won just one game in the tourney. Oh, and they finished 9th!
I have been just taking the high RPI of Villanova for granted all year, saying 'Oh their RPI is high so they must have beaten some teams.' Well let me look at their resume, especially non-conference: Lost at Xavier...Won at Iowa (who is terrible), Won at Oklahoma (who is terrible), Lost at home to Drexel, Wont at home to Temple (who is terrible), Won at home to Texas (best win of the year...Now the Big East: Lost at WV, at Syracuse, at ND, at Marquette, Lost at home to Depaul, Pitt, and GTown...Wins: ND, LVille, and Syracuse at home...GTown, and Providence were the big road wins.
Looking at this resume you get: Texas, Penn, ND, Lville, and GTown as the only tourney teams they beat...They lost to Xavier, ND, Marquette, Pitt, and GTown...That is a 5-5 record against tourney teams...Same as Syracuse! Looking deeper at this just makes me hate the RPI even more!
The bottom line is that is Villanova is a 9 seed and Arkansas is in the tourney, then how in the world can you not say that Syracuse is one of the 34 best at large teams? Yes Nova went and played teams on the road, but Oklahoma? Iowa? losing to Xavier? If you say that Syracuse played too many teams at home and lost to the ones they should have won then the same goes for Nova...Just because they played teams on the road doesn't make them a better team.
I was going to make some points about seeding in the NCAA tourney that I thought are way off, but what's the point? Ill just say that Niagara should not be in the play-in game! I'm not going to boycott the NIT because I think the seniors deserve more than that. Lets go out and not only win the NIT but just destroy the field. Jimmy should not let up. If they get up by 15+ just put the hammer down and drive the stake deeper! Make it a WV/Syracuse final so the committee can see just how tough the Big East actually is!
Watch the game tomorrow and treat it like a stepping stone for next year, because that's what Ill be doing!
GO 'CUSE!!
Now, what I would like to say is what I have been telling my friends for the last two days. I think the committee got 63-64 of the 65 teams correct. I think the last 3-4 spots should have came down to Illinois, Arkansas, Stanford, Purdue, Syracuse, Drexel, and Kansas State. Now of this group the committee took four of them. No one can sit here and tell me, someone who watches as much college basketball as any of the experts, that Syracuse is not one of the four best teams out of that group! I have no problem with Stanford, Purdue, and Illinois being in the tournament as I think they are all deserving. But, I have a big problem with Arkansas!
The problem I see is this: If Arkansas isn't in then should Syracuse be in over Drexel? Yes Drexel beat Syracuse head to head...But, the game was played over two months ago! Drexel couldn't beat the top teams in the CAA how could they beat the top teams in the Big East like the Orange did? The committee is getting too wrapped up in numbers and not looking at the teams as a whole. If Syracuse and Drexel and Arkansas all played on a neutral court 20 times who would win the majority? That is the question that should be asked. You give Syracuse a shot at any of them in their own building and the Orange would win 7 of 10 times! Those are the facts the committee should look at.
One more point I would like to make about the snub is that of Villanova. I have been saying all year that I thought they should be in the tournament if they made a run. My predictions in a previous post way back when stated this fact that if they could get to better than 9-7 and make a run in the BE tourney that they would be in. Well, they finished at 9-7 and won just one game in the tourney. Oh, and they finished 9th!
I have been just taking the high RPI of Villanova for granted all year, saying 'Oh their RPI is high so they must have beaten some teams.' Well let me look at their resume, especially non-conference: Lost at Xavier...Won at Iowa (who is terrible), Won at Oklahoma (who is terrible), Lost at home to Drexel, Wont at home to Temple (who is terrible), Won at home to Texas (best win of the year...Now the Big East: Lost at WV, at Syracuse, at ND, at Marquette, Lost at home to Depaul, Pitt, and GTown...Wins: ND, LVille, and Syracuse at home...GTown, and Providence were the big road wins.
Looking at this resume you get: Texas, Penn, ND, Lville, and GTown as the only tourney teams they beat...They lost to Xavier, ND, Marquette, Pitt, and GTown...That is a 5-5 record against tourney teams...Same as Syracuse! Looking deeper at this just makes me hate the RPI even more!
The bottom line is that is Villanova is a 9 seed and Arkansas is in the tourney, then how in the world can you not say that Syracuse is one of the 34 best at large teams? Yes Nova went and played teams on the road, but Oklahoma? Iowa? losing to Xavier? If you say that Syracuse played too many teams at home and lost to the ones they should have won then the same goes for Nova...Just because they played teams on the road doesn't make them a better team.
I was going to make some points about seeding in the NCAA tourney that I thought are way off, but what's the point? Ill just say that Niagara should not be in the play-in game! I'm not going to boycott the NIT because I think the seniors deserve more than that. Lets go out and not only win the NIT but just destroy the field. Jimmy should not let up. If they get up by 15+ just put the hammer down and drive the stake deeper! Make it a WV/Syracuse final so the committee can see just how tough the Big East actually is!
Watch the game tomorrow and treat it like a stepping stone for next year, because that's what Ill be doing!
GO 'CUSE!!
Monday, March 12, 2007
I'm no expert but...
Ok, I don't want to blog about how Syracuse was snubbed because a case can be made for or against them getting in the tourney. What I don't understand is that if they left them out because they didn't play any true non conference opponents then why was Drexel left off? Drexel played Villanova, Syracuse, and Creighton on the road and beat all three. If non-conference road games is what is important then Drexel should be there.
If the unbalanced league schedule is a problem then how is Arkansas in? They went 7-9 in the WORST major conference in the country! 7-9! Syracuse went 10-6 with wins over Georgetown, Marquette, Villanova, Providence, and Depaul...Who did Arkansas beat? The swept Vanderbilt, Ill give them that. But, they swept Alabama who just wasn't very good all year and they finished FOURTH in the SEC West! Just don't understand what the committee was thinking.
As for my mock bracket I did below. I may have gotten some of the seeds wrong, but I missed just TWO teams! I had Syracuse and Drexel in and I had Stanford and Arkansas out. Arkansas never even crossed my mind! I missed the exact same number as Joe Lunardi! He also has Syracuse and Drexel in, but he missed Illinois and Old Dominion. Just goes to show you that the "experts" can just about guess like the rest of us!
What a shame!
GO 'CUSE!!
If the unbalanced league schedule is a problem then how is Arkansas in? They went 7-9 in the WORST major conference in the country! 7-9! Syracuse went 10-6 with wins over Georgetown, Marquette, Villanova, Providence, and Depaul...Who did Arkansas beat? The swept Vanderbilt, Ill give them that. But, they swept Alabama who just wasn't very good all year and they finished FOURTH in the SEC West! Just don't understand what the committee was thinking.
As for my mock bracket I did below. I may have gotten some of the seeds wrong, but I missed just TWO teams! I had Syracuse and Drexel in and I had Stanford and Arkansas out. Arkansas never even crossed my mind! I missed the exact same number as Joe Lunardi! He also has Syracuse and Drexel in, but he missed Illinois and Old Dominion. Just goes to show you that the "experts" can just about guess like the rest of us!
What a shame!
GO 'CUSE!!
Friday, March 9, 2007
Brackets Are Done! (UPDATED 3-10)
We finished the brackets quicker than anticipated. The brackets are below...What is strange is that we didn't look at Joe Lunardi's bracket until the very end and we have very similar results and seeds. Maybe I do think like Joe.
Anyways, please provide comments and let me have it! The brackets are up to date through games played yesterday. I have taken the Joe Lunardi approach and give you my last four teams in and last four teams out. Props must be given to my good friends Andy and Will who helped out with the brackets!
Here we go:
WEST (San Jose)
Sacramento
(1) UCLA
(16) North Texas
(8) Arizona
(9) Xavier
Columbus
(5) Tennesse
(12) Illinois
(4) UNLV
(13) New Mexico St
Lexington
(6) Butler
(11) Drexel
(3) Washington St
(14) Texas A&M Corpus Christie
Winston Salem
(7) Boston College
(10) Winthrop
(2) Texas A&M
(15) Niagara
EAST (East Rutherford)
New Orleans
(1) Florida
(16) Delaware St
(8) Villanova
(9) Indiana
Spokane
(5) Maryland
(12) Old Dominion
(4) Nevada
(13) Holy Cross
Buffalo
(6) Virginia Tech
(11) Gonzaga
(3) Pittsburgh
(14) Penn
Chicago
(7) Creighton
(10) VCU
(2) Wisconsin
(15) Eastern Kentucky
MIDWEST (St. Louis)
Lexington
(1) Ohio St
(16) Central Connecticut
(8) USC
(9) Kentucky
Buffalo
(5) Notre Dame
(12) George Washington
(4) Texas
(13) Toledo
Sacramento
(6) BYU
(11) Purdue
(3) Southern Illinois
(14) Vermont
New Orleans
(7) Duke
(10) Texas Tech
(2) Georgetown
(15) Long Beach
SOUTH (San Antonio)
Chicago
(1) Kansas
(16) Weber St/Miss. Valley St
(8) Vanderbilt
(9) Syracuse
Spokane
(5) Virginia
(12) Davidson
(4) Louisville
(13) Wright St
Columbus
(6) Marquette
(11) Georgia Tech
(3) Memphis
(14) Oral Roberts
Winston-Salem
(7) Oregon
(10) Michigan St
(2) North Carolina
(15) Belmont
Here is the run down of seeds (they are not ranked in order):
1 seeds:
UCLA
Kansas
Florida
Ohio St
2 Seeds:
North Carolina
Georgetown
Wisconsin
Texas A&M
3 Seeds:
Memphis
Southern Illinois
Pitt
Washington St
4 Seeds:
Texas
Nevada
Louisville
UNLV
5 Seeds:
Notre Dame
Virginia
Maryland
Tennessee
6 Seeds:
Marquette
BYU
Virginia Tech
Butler
7 Seeds:
Boston College
Creighton
Oregon
Duke
8 Seeds:
USC
Villanova
Vanderbilt
Arizona
9 Seeds:
Syracuse
Kentucky
Indiana
Xavier
10 Seeds:
Winthrop
Texas Tech
VCU
Michigan St
11 Seeds:
Drexel
Georgia Tech
Purdue
Gonzaga
12 Seeds:
Illinois
Old Dominion
George Washington
Davidson
13 Seeds:
New Mexico St
Wright St
Holy Cross
Toledo
14 Seeds:
Texas A&M – Corpus
Penn
Oral Roberts
Vermont
15 Seeds:
Niagara
Eastern Kentucky
Long Beach
Belmont
16 Seeds:
North Texas
Central Connecticut
Delaware St
Weber St/Miss Valley St
Bids By Conference:
Big East (7)
ACC (7)
Big Ten (6)
Pac – 10 (5)
Big 12 (4)
SEC (4)
Colonial (3)
Mountain West (2)
Missouri Valley (2)
Horizon (2)
WAC (2)
Atlantic 10 (2)
Last 4 in:
Old Dominion
Purdue
Illinois
Georgia Tech
Last 4 Out:
Florida St
Stanford
Clemson
Michigan
Anyways, please provide comments and let me have it! The brackets are up to date through games played yesterday. I have taken the Joe Lunardi approach and give you my last four teams in and last four teams out. Props must be given to my good friends Andy and Will who helped out with the brackets!
Here we go:
WEST (San Jose)
Sacramento
(1) UCLA
(16) North Texas
(8) Arizona
(9) Xavier
Columbus
(5) Tennesse
(12) Illinois
(4) UNLV
(13) New Mexico St
Lexington
(6) Butler
(11) Drexel
(3) Washington St
(14) Texas A&M Corpus Christie
Winston Salem
(7) Boston College
(10) Winthrop
(2) Texas A&M
(15) Niagara
EAST (East Rutherford)
New Orleans
(1) Florida
(16) Delaware St
(8) Villanova
(9) Indiana
Spokane
(5) Maryland
(12) Old Dominion
(4) Nevada
(13) Holy Cross
Buffalo
(6) Virginia Tech
(11) Gonzaga
(3) Pittsburgh
(14) Penn
Chicago
(7) Creighton
(10) VCU
(2) Wisconsin
(15) Eastern Kentucky
MIDWEST (St. Louis)
Lexington
(1) Ohio St
(16) Central Connecticut
(8) USC
(9) Kentucky
Buffalo
(5) Notre Dame
(12) George Washington
(4) Texas
(13) Toledo
Sacramento
(6) BYU
(11) Purdue
(3) Southern Illinois
(14) Vermont
New Orleans
(7) Duke
(10) Texas Tech
(2) Georgetown
(15) Long Beach
SOUTH (San Antonio)
Chicago
(1) Kansas
(16) Weber St/Miss. Valley St
(8) Vanderbilt
(9) Syracuse
Spokane
(5) Virginia
(12) Davidson
(4) Louisville
(13) Wright St
Columbus
(6) Marquette
(11) Georgia Tech
(3) Memphis
(14) Oral Roberts
Winston-Salem
(7) Oregon
(10) Michigan St
(2) North Carolina
(15) Belmont
Here is the run down of seeds (they are not ranked in order):
1 seeds:
UCLA
Kansas
Florida
Ohio St
2 Seeds:
North Carolina
Georgetown
Wisconsin
Texas A&M
3 Seeds:
Memphis
Southern Illinois
Pitt
Washington St
4 Seeds:
Texas
Nevada
Louisville
UNLV
5 Seeds:
Notre Dame
Virginia
Maryland
Tennessee
6 Seeds:
Marquette
BYU
Virginia Tech
Butler
7 Seeds:
Boston College
Creighton
Oregon
Duke
8 Seeds:
USC
Villanova
Vanderbilt
Arizona
9 Seeds:
Syracuse
Kentucky
Indiana
Xavier
10 Seeds:
Winthrop
Texas Tech
VCU
Michigan St
11 Seeds:
Drexel
Georgia Tech
Purdue
Gonzaga
12 Seeds:
Illinois
Old Dominion
George Washington
Davidson
13 Seeds:
New Mexico St
Wright St
Holy Cross
Toledo
14 Seeds:
Texas A&M – Corpus
Penn
Oral Roberts
Vermont
15 Seeds:
Niagara
Eastern Kentucky
Long Beach
Belmont
16 Seeds:
North Texas
Central Connecticut
Delaware St
Weber St/Miss Valley St
Bids By Conference:
Big East (7)
ACC (7)
Big Ten (6)
Pac – 10 (5)
Big 12 (4)
SEC (4)
Colonial (3)
Mountain West (2)
Missouri Valley (2)
Horizon (2)
WAC (2)
Atlantic 10 (2)
Last 4 in:
Old Dominion
Purdue
Illinois
Georgia Tech
Last 4 Out:
Florida St
Stanford
Clemson
Michigan
Get ready for Sunday night
After a tough loss yesterday to Notre Dame I just can't believe all the so called Orange fans who are debating whether or not the Orange is in the NCAA's! I mean come on...are you serious? 10-6 in the Big East and a big end to the season and these Orange "fans" have them out and WV in?This debate will be going on up until Selection Sunday and probably even after that, but the facts are clear...if you want to put WV in the tourney then the Orange has to be in!
Syracuse could have easily won the Notre Dame game had our big men (most notably TRob) made some damn free throws. Notre Dame is a great shooting team, no question about it, and I said going into the game that Syracuse doesn't match up well against them. Just think about, Syracuse scored their second most points in a Big East game this year (the most was also against Notre Dame), and still lost the game. Notre Dame shoots the ball so well as a team that it is so hard for Syracuse to match up to everyone. I am personally not worried about this team. They are going to make it to the big dance as no better than a 9 seed. Personally I would like to see them be an 11 or 12 seed because the second round matchups would be better.
For those people still wondering whether or not Syracuse should be in the tournament, I say give me 4 or 5 teams that you feel are better than them that are on the bubble. You wouldn't be able to find them. Syracuse is not a lock on anybody's brackets, but they are a lock in my opinion!
I started my mock brackets a few days ago and I am going to finish my bracket today at work, as it will be a slow day in the office! I will post my mock bracket selections later in the day...so look forward to them!
GO 'CUSE!!
Syracuse could have easily won the Notre Dame game had our big men (most notably TRob) made some damn free throws. Notre Dame is a great shooting team, no question about it, and I said going into the game that Syracuse doesn't match up well against them. Just think about, Syracuse scored their second most points in a Big East game this year (the most was also against Notre Dame), and still lost the game. Notre Dame shoots the ball so well as a team that it is so hard for Syracuse to match up to everyone. I am personally not worried about this team. They are going to make it to the big dance as no better than a 9 seed. Personally I would like to see them be an 11 or 12 seed because the second round matchups would be better.
For those people still wondering whether or not Syracuse should be in the tournament, I say give me 4 or 5 teams that you feel are better than them that are on the bubble. You wouldn't be able to find them. Syracuse is not a lock on anybody's brackets, but they are a lock in my opinion!
I started my mock brackets a few days ago and I am going to finish my bracket today at work, as it will be a slow day in the office! I will post my mock bracket selections later in the day...so look forward to them!
GO 'CUSE!!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Eight Straight!
Syracuse has now won eight consecutive Big East Tournament games. Just one shy of UConn's record of 9 straight. Syracuse won in the same fashion that they have been winning, big contributions from Nichols and Devo and then just enough from everyone else.
With the Orange down by two at the half I was sitting in my office just waiting for Nichols to start making some shots, something he failed to do in the Villanova game. Then, after missing his first three in the second half, he started to catch fire, going 7-11 on threes after his very cold start. Nichols finished with 28 points, 19 of which came after the first half. Once again, he was doing it from all spots on the floor. He hits a three from the corner, then scores on a drive to the hoop, then hits another three from a different spot on the floor, and then the game was essentially over. An 8-1 Nichols run put the Orange up 15 and well on their way to facing Notre Dame in the quarterfinals.
In the first half, without Nichols doing much, Devo was able to keep the Orange close by scoring 15 first half points. No outside shots by Devo in the first half...NONE! This is amazing considering how often he comes down and just pulls up from three. Devo was great at getting in the lane and finishing drives. I couldn't count how many layups he got in that first half as it just seemed to easy for him. With him scoring 15 points and Harris contributing a solid 6 points, the Orange were able to be down just 2 at the half despite shooting terribly to start the game.
This was a solid win for the Orange and should be enough to get them in the field of 65 (I thought they were in before this win). Now comes a rematch with Notre Dame, a team that just shot lights out against the Orange when they met in the Dome earlier this year. I don't think there is any possible way that Notre Dame can shoot like they did on that day, as they just couldn't miss anything, and they still only won by 12 points...103-91. Should be a very good game down at the Garden, just like most of the games are.
An interesting note from other games is that the higher seeded team advanced in every game except the Depaul/Villanova game...but who actually thought Depaul would win that anyways?
I was at work during the game and watching it online...my props to ESPN 360...so, I didnt hear Doug Gottlieb after the game, but I did hear him at halftime of the West Virginia game. For the first time in my life I actually heard Doug give the 'Cuse respect. He said that the Orange is on a roll now and he predicts they will beat Notre Dame and then with the way they are playing, they can go far in this tournament. He said, "Wouldn't it be interesting to see how high a seed the Orange could get if they can win the whole thing again?" Just goes to show you that when you play well, which the Orange has done of late, the "experts" will start to give you credit.
Big win for the Orange and now I am back at work and trying to squeeze all my work into a few hours so I can once again load up ESPN 360 and watch the Orange battle the Irish!
Stats from the game:
Scoring:Nichols: 28...Devo: 19...Roberts: 9...Watkins: 8...Rautins: 7...Harris: 6...Wright: 1
Rebounds:Watkins: 10...Roberts: 8...Harris: 8...Nichols: 5 Rautins 3...Devo...2...Wright: 1
Assists: Harris and Devo: 4...Nichols: 3...Rautins and Wright: 2...Watkins: 1
Turnovers:Harris and Rautins: 4...Nichols, Devo, and Watkins: 3...Roberts: 1
Steals: Harris and Rautins: 2...Watkins: 1
Blocks:Watkins: 3...Nichols, Roberts, Rautins, and Devo...1
Syracuse shot 45% from 3
UConn shot 35% from the field and just 21% from 3
GO 'CUSE!!
With the Orange down by two at the half I was sitting in my office just waiting for Nichols to start making some shots, something he failed to do in the Villanova game. Then, after missing his first three in the second half, he started to catch fire, going 7-11 on threes after his very cold start. Nichols finished with 28 points, 19 of which came after the first half. Once again, he was doing it from all spots on the floor. He hits a three from the corner, then scores on a drive to the hoop, then hits another three from a different spot on the floor, and then the game was essentially over. An 8-1 Nichols run put the Orange up 15 and well on their way to facing Notre Dame in the quarterfinals.
In the first half, without Nichols doing much, Devo was able to keep the Orange close by scoring 15 first half points. No outside shots by Devo in the first half...NONE! This is amazing considering how often he comes down and just pulls up from three. Devo was great at getting in the lane and finishing drives. I couldn't count how many layups he got in that first half as it just seemed to easy for him. With him scoring 15 points and Harris contributing a solid 6 points, the Orange were able to be down just 2 at the half despite shooting terribly to start the game.
This was a solid win for the Orange and should be enough to get them in the field of 65 (I thought they were in before this win). Now comes a rematch with Notre Dame, a team that just shot lights out against the Orange when they met in the Dome earlier this year. I don't think there is any possible way that Notre Dame can shoot like they did on that day, as they just couldn't miss anything, and they still only won by 12 points...103-91. Should be a very good game down at the Garden, just like most of the games are.
An interesting note from other games is that the higher seeded team advanced in every game except the Depaul/Villanova game...but who actually thought Depaul would win that anyways?
I was at work during the game and watching it online...my props to ESPN 360...so, I didnt hear Doug Gottlieb after the game, but I did hear him at halftime of the West Virginia game. For the first time in my life I actually heard Doug give the 'Cuse respect. He said that the Orange is on a roll now and he predicts they will beat Notre Dame and then with the way they are playing, they can go far in this tournament. He said, "Wouldn't it be interesting to see how high a seed the Orange could get if they can win the whole thing again?" Just goes to show you that when you play well, which the Orange has done of late, the "experts" will start to give you credit.
Big win for the Orange and now I am back at work and trying to squeeze all my work into a few hours so I can once again load up ESPN 360 and watch the Orange battle the Irish!
Stats from the game:
Scoring:Nichols: 28...Devo: 19...Roberts: 9...Watkins: 8...Rautins: 7...Harris: 6...Wright: 1
Rebounds:Watkins: 10...Roberts: 8...Harris: 8...Nichols: 5 Rautins 3...Devo...2...Wright: 1
Assists: Harris and Devo: 4...Nichols: 3...Rautins and Wright: 2...Watkins: 1
Turnovers:Harris and Rautins: 4...Nichols, Devo, and Watkins: 3...Roberts: 1
Steals: Harris and Rautins: 2...Watkins: 1
Blocks:Watkins: 3...Nichols, Roberts, Rautins, and Devo...1
Syracuse shot 45% from 3
UConn shot 35% from the field and just 21% from 3
GO 'CUSE!!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Bracket Challenge!
I am going to host a FREE college basketball bracket challenge for all those interested!
I want all you so called "bloggers" to take aim and try and beat me!
Please leave comments for any suggestions that you may have as to how you would like it to be run (Maybe have you pay to play). I will email everyone with all the details of where the bracket will be held...Most likely I will host it on yahoo sports or espn.com!
Email me at: dtaylor716@gmail.com if you want to be in...
GO 'CUSE!!
I want all you so called "bloggers" to take aim and try and beat me!
Please leave comments for any suggestions that you may have as to how you would like it to be run (Maybe have you pay to play). I will email everyone with all the details of where the bracket will be held...Most likely I will host it on yahoo sports or espn.com!
Email me at: dtaylor716@gmail.com if you want to be in...
GO 'CUSE!!
Villanova pregame thoughts
Well, the calendar has turned to March and it is now officially March Madness time!
One more regular season game to go for this up and down Orange season.
If Syracuse wins then they have a shot at the 4 seed in the BE tourney...Lets got Scarlet Knights! Even with a loss, Syracuse is guaranteed the 5 seed. It will be awfully hard to three-peat playing 4 days in a row. This is not a must-win game by any standards but a loss tomorrow and a loss in the first round of the BE tourney and Orange fans may have to sweat it out come next Sunday.
I'm wondering what happens if Syracuse beats Villanova tomorrow. My bet is that all the "experts" put Villanova in as like a 7 seed and the Orange in as a 9 seed. Seems like the more wins the Orange get, the more people say Villanova is in. This whole RPI system just boggles my mind. I agree with Jay Bilas in how the NCAA needs a new formula as this current system is just plain awful in today's game.
Back to the game at hand! Syracuse comes in riding a nice 5 game winning streak and Villanova comes in off from their win at UConn. (Or should I say Scottie Reynolds comes in after a win at UConn). Reynolds dropped 40 points on UConn and he fouled out with under 2 minutes to play! If this kid isn't rookie of the year in the Big East then something is wrong. Villanova owes Kelvin Sampson all the love they can give because had he not bolted for Indiana, Reynolds would be playing at OU.
It is going to be interesting to see how Boeheim uses everyone in this game. Roberts is hurt so do you give him limited minutes in hopes he can get a little more healthy for the Big East Tourney? Or do you continue to play him because this would be a huge win? What about Josh Wright? If he is healthy do you play him or does he continue to ride the pine and watch the team play better without him? Is he going to keep the same 6 1/2 man rotation going or give Wright and Gorman more minutes? (The 6 being...Devo, Rautins, DNic, Roberts, Watkins, and Harris) Should be very interesting on how the game is managed.
Another interesting side note is this: Will this be the last home game coached for Jay Wright? Rumors continue to speculate that he will be the next coach of the 76ers. If they make the NCAA tournament then are we witnessing the end of Wright at 'Nova?
Contain Reynolds and make someone else beat you, is my motto for this game! Nardi has always shot the ball well against the Orange so they need to contain him, but Reynolds is capable of 25-30 points every night. When he penetrates, make sure someone helps out...Something UConn failed to do the other night.
All in all my prediction is 'Cuse 74 Nova 69...Game will be close until the final 3 minutes when the Orange go on a run to put it away and then Nova hits some meaningless shots at the end.
GO 'CUSE!!
One more regular season game to go for this up and down Orange season.
If Syracuse wins then they have a shot at the 4 seed in the BE tourney...Lets got Scarlet Knights! Even with a loss, Syracuse is guaranteed the 5 seed. It will be awfully hard to three-peat playing 4 days in a row. This is not a must-win game by any standards but a loss tomorrow and a loss in the first round of the BE tourney and Orange fans may have to sweat it out come next Sunday.
I'm wondering what happens if Syracuse beats Villanova tomorrow. My bet is that all the "experts" put Villanova in as like a 7 seed and the Orange in as a 9 seed. Seems like the more wins the Orange get, the more people say Villanova is in. This whole RPI system just boggles my mind. I agree with Jay Bilas in how the NCAA needs a new formula as this current system is just plain awful in today's game.
Back to the game at hand! Syracuse comes in riding a nice 5 game winning streak and Villanova comes in off from their win at UConn. (Or should I say Scottie Reynolds comes in after a win at UConn). Reynolds dropped 40 points on UConn and he fouled out with under 2 minutes to play! If this kid isn't rookie of the year in the Big East then something is wrong. Villanova owes Kelvin Sampson all the love they can give because had he not bolted for Indiana, Reynolds would be playing at OU.
It is going to be interesting to see how Boeheim uses everyone in this game. Roberts is hurt so do you give him limited minutes in hopes he can get a little more healthy for the Big East Tourney? Or do you continue to play him because this would be a huge win? What about Josh Wright? If he is healthy do you play him or does he continue to ride the pine and watch the team play better without him? Is he going to keep the same 6 1/2 man rotation going or give Wright and Gorman more minutes? (The 6 being...Devo, Rautins, DNic, Roberts, Watkins, and Harris) Should be very interesting on how the game is managed.
Another interesting side note is this: Will this be the last home game coached for Jay Wright? Rumors continue to speculate that he will be the next coach of the 76ers. If they make the NCAA tournament then are we witnessing the end of Wright at 'Nova?
Contain Reynolds and make someone else beat you, is my motto for this game! Nardi has always shot the ball well against the Orange so they need to contain him, but Reynolds is capable of 25-30 points every night. When he penetrates, make sure someone helps out...Something UConn failed to do the other night.
All in all my prediction is 'Cuse 74 Nova 69...Game will be close until the final 3 minutes when the Orange go on a run to put it away and then Nova hits some meaningless shots at the end.
GO 'CUSE!!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
My record
Hope everyone is enjoying the big win the other night and getting ready for Saturday!
Just thought I would update my record on my predictions from a couple weeks ago...You can find the post in my archives to the left.
My record is now 18-4 after the Pitt/WV game last night. My final Big East standings are looking very good as well. Just a little update.
GO 'CUSE!!
Just thought I would update my record on my predictions from a couple weeks ago...You can find the post in my archives to the left.
My record is now 18-4 after the Pitt/WV game last night. My final Big East standings are looking very good as well. Just a little update.
GO 'CUSE!!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
That's More Like it!
There is the Syracuse team that fans have been waiting all year to see! The Orange played with a purpose from the opening tip and never slowed up. The three seniors for the Orange, Nichols, Roberts, and Watkins, played with a purpose in their last game ever at the dome. Controlling Green and Hibbert inside was a big key to this game going in and the two big men for Syracuse did just that!
Another well balanced attack by the 'Cuse was the difference. Led by 22 points from the Big East player of the year...well at least in my opinion...Demetrius Nichols, 13 points from Andy 'Handy' Rautins, 11 points and a career high 11 assits from Eric 'Sparadic' Devendorf, and then 11 points and 6 rebounds from Paul 'The Bear' Harris this team was well balanced on both ends. Throw in the combined 15 points and 14 rebounds from Mookie and TRob and this team had one of its most balanced games of the year.
The difference in this game was the battle between one of the best shooting teams (at least field goal percentage wise) in the country, in the Hoyas, and one of the best field goal percentage defensive teams in the country in Syracuse. Which one would pervail? Was the question asked all night long by the announcers. I think the answer to this question was clear! The defense played by the Orange was tremendous! They were after every loose ball, crashing the boards, stepping in the lane, and on and on. This team played with a purpose and would not be denied that signature win they so desperately needed.
Now, with a win at Villanova on Saturday, the Orange can clinch at least a tie for fourth in the conference. The tie breaker would go to Notre Dame due to the head-to-head win against Syracuse. With a loss at Villanova Syracuse is still guaranteed the 5 seed and the 5-12 matchup with St. Johns most likely and then the matchup with Notre Dame in the quarters. So, this win was big on both fronts...a loss dropped them into a three way tie for fifth with one to play. Now, even if they lose on Saturday they are still guaranteed the 5 seed because of the tie breaker scenarios they would win with Marquette and West Virginia. A win on Saturday and a loss by Notre Dame at Rutgers and Syracuse pulls the impossible and gets the 4 seed!
Another thing worth a mention in this game is the play of Eric 'Sparadic' Devendorf as I call him. Some people say that he should not be running the point that maybe Paul Harris or Josh Wright should be running the point. Well, I would just like to say that this team will win or lose with Eric running the show! He is by far our best option at the point. He had 11 assists in last nights game...yes he did have 5 turnovers...but that is still more than a 2:1 assist:turnover ratio! Paul Harris is probably the best one on one player Syracuse has, but he is not the best man to run the point. Eric can use his left better than anyone I have seen and he also gets blocked more than anyone I have seen. However, he does so many things right that you have to live with the mistakes he makes. He will make three or four great plays and then come down and make a terrible play, but without him running the point, we don't get that 3:1 ratio! Let Harris post up the smaller guard inside and let Devo find the shooters. Keep in mind he is only a sophmore and is not a "true point guard." He is more of a 2 guard trying to fill a void that the Orange need him for. He is getting much better at this roll and once he becomes just a little bit less selfish...he has a scorers' mentality...this team will be doing great things! Devo is the best option at point and the best chance this team has of going somewhere in the post season!
Stats from the game:
Scoring:
Nichols: 22...Rautins: 13...Devo: 11...Harris: 11...Watkins: 9...Roberts: 6
Rebounds:
Watkins: 8...Roberts: 6...Harris: 6...Nichols and Rautins: 3...Devo...2...Burach and Gorman: 1
Assists:
Devo: 11...Watkins: 3...Nichols and Rautins: 1
Turnovers:
Devo: 5...Wright (in only 3 minutes), Harris, Rautins: 2...Nichols and Roberts: 1
Steals:
Nichols: 4...Roberts and Rautins: 2...Harris and Devo: 1
Blocks:
Watkins: 2...Nichols and Roberts: 1
Syracuse shot 43% from 3
Great win!
GO 'CUSE!!
Another well balanced attack by the 'Cuse was the difference. Led by 22 points from the Big East player of the year...well at least in my opinion...Demetrius Nichols, 13 points from Andy 'Handy' Rautins, 11 points and a career high 11 assits from Eric 'Sparadic' Devendorf, and then 11 points and 6 rebounds from Paul 'The Bear' Harris this team was well balanced on both ends. Throw in the combined 15 points and 14 rebounds from Mookie and TRob and this team had one of its most balanced games of the year.
The difference in this game was the battle between one of the best shooting teams (at least field goal percentage wise) in the country, in the Hoyas, and one of the best field goal percentage defensive teams in the country in Syracuse. Which one would pervail? Was the question asked all night long by the announcers. I think the answer to this question was clear! The defense played by the Orange was tremendous! They were after every loose ball, crashing the boards, stepping in the lane, and on and on. This team played with a purpose and would not be denied that signature win they so desperately needed.
Now, with a win at Villanova on Saturday, the Orange can clinch at least a tie for fourth in the conference. The tie breaker would go to Notre Dame due to the head-to-head win against Syracuse. With a loss at Villanova Syracuse is still guaranteed the 5 seed and the 5-12 matchup with St. Johns most likely and then the matchup with Notre Dame in the quarters. So, this win was big on both fronts...a loss dropped them into a three way tie for fifth with one to play. Now, even if they lose on Saturday they are still guaranteed the 5 seed because of the tie breaker scenarios they would win with Marquette and West Virginia. A win on Saturday and a loss by Notre Dame at Rutgers and Syracuse pulls the impossible and gets the 4 seed!
Another thing worth a mention in this game is the play of Eric 'Sparadic' Devendorf as I call him. Some people say that he should not be running the point that maybe Paul Harris or Josh Wright should be running the point. Well, I would just like to say that this team will win or lose with Eric running the show! He is by far our best option at the point. He had 11 assists in last nights game...yes he did have 5 turnovers...but that is still more than a 2:1 assist:turnover ratio! Paul Harris is probably the best one on one player Syracuse has, but he is not the best man to run the point. Eric can use his left better than anyone I have seen and he also gets blocked more than anyone I have seen. However, he does so many things right that you have to live with the mistakes he makes. He will make three or four great plays and then come down and make a terrible play, but without him running the point, we don't get that 3:1 ratio! Let Harris post up the smaller guard inside and let Devo find the shooters. Keep in mind he is only a sophmore and is not a "true point guard." He is more of a 2 guard trying to fill a void that the Orange need him for. He is getting much better at this roll and once he becomes just a little bit less selfish...he has a scorers' mentality...this team will be doing great things! Devo is the best option at point and the best chance this team has of going somewhere in the post season!
Stats from the game:
Scoring:
Nichols: 22...Rautins: 13...Devo: 11...Harris: 11...Watkins: 9...Roberts: 6
Rebounds:
Watkins: 8...Roberts: 6...Harris: 6...Nichols and Rautins: 3...Devo...2...Burach and Gorman: 1
Assists:
Devo: 11...Watkins: 3...Nichols and Rautins: 1
Turnovers:
Devo: 5...Wright (in only 3 minutes), Harris, Rautins: 2...Nichols and Roberts: 1
Steals:
Nichols: 4...Roberts and Rautins: 2...Harris and Devo: 1
Blocks:
Watkins: 2...Nichols and Roberts: 1
Syracuse shot 43% from 3
Great win!
GO 'CUSE!!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Weekend Results and Notes
Sorry for the lack of posts this weekend! I had some family issues that had to come first. I was even planning on doing my own mock bracket this weekend like that of Joe Lunardi's from ESPN. I never got around to doing that but I was able to watch a lot of basketball this weekend!
Let me start with the most important game...The Orange beating Providence at the Dunkin Donuts Center! Providence was 16-2 at home this year and Syracuse needed the win badly to keep their NCAA hopes alive. A well balanced attack by the Orange helped hold off the Friars and a great game from Herbert Hill. Hill was basically unstoppable inside and that was with Watkins having a great game against him! Just shows how great Hill has become in the last four years.
Nichols, though, had the most important shot of the game! With the score tied at 65-65 and 37 seconds on the clock then Orange ran a curl play for Nichols and he nailed the biggest shot of the year thus far for the Orange! Rautins had another big game with 19 points including an amazing tip in that was something I didn't expect. A well balanced attack is what the Orange has been winning with this year and this game was no different. Big win for the 'Cuse and it all but eliminated Providence.
Before I continue I would like to comment on the Gottlieb comments that he made after the Syracuse game saying how the Orange were still not in the tournament. I hate to say it, but I have to agree with him. I felt that the Orange would lose to Providence but then win their last two. I was wrong on the first count and I am hoping I am correct with the last two because then, as Gottlieb stated, the Orange would be in. Beating Providence at home should be taken more seriously though, Doug, the Friars were 16-2 at home, losing to Brown and Villanova! That is a pretty good record regardless of who they played! They had beated BC, Holy Cross, Marquette, and West Virginia at home...four pretty good wins. Plus, all the games that they should have won, except the Brown game. This was a big win for the Orange.
Something else that I heard as I was watching a lot of basketball this weekend. I don't remember what game I was watching, but it was one of the Big East games and they showed on the screen the "predictions" of who the announcers of the game thought were going to be in the tournament. These guys were even more ridiculuos than Doug Gottlieb. They had...Pitt, G'Town, ND, Marquette, Louisville, Villanova, and Depaul in the tournament! I'm sorry but I don't understand how Depaul and Villanova are better than Syracuse right now. Granted Depaul is on a roll, but if Syracuse hasn't beaten anyone lately then how can you say Depaul has?? Just boggles my mind how the "experts" put so much weight into the RPI. A team with a 7-7 record in the Big East should not be in over a 9-5 team who beat the 7-7 team head to head. I just don't understand it. But, if the Orange just keep winning then everything will take care of itself!
Other games of note this weekend: Georgetown beats Pitt meaning a win against the Orange tonight clinches at least a share of the regular season title for the Hoyas. Big win for the Hoyas. Louisville beat UConn yesterday meaning they are all but guaranteed in the tournament. ND wins at home against Marquette meaning if they win at Rutgers or if the Orange lose again, they get the 4 seed. Villanova won at home against Rutgers to go to 7-7 in the conference with games left at UConn and home for the Orange. Those were the only notable games of the weekend.
Big game tonight at the dome with the Hoyas coming to town. Hope the Dome is rockin' and ready to roll! A win and we are in in my opinion!!
Go 'Cuse!!
Let me start with the most important game...The Orange beating Providence at the Dunkin Donuts Center! Providence was 16-2 at home this year and Syracuse needed the win badly to keep their NCAA hopes alive. A well balanced attack by the Orange helped hold off the Friars and a great game from Herbert Hill. Hill was basically unstoppable inside and that was with Watkins having a great game against him! Just shows how great Hill has become in the last four years.
Nichols, though, had the most important shot of the game! With the score tied at 65-65 and 37 seconds on the clock then Orange ran a curl play for Nichols and he nailed the biggest shot of the year thus far for the Orange! Rautins had another big game with 19 points including an amazing tip in that was something I didn't expect. A well balanced attack is what the Orange has been winning with this year and this game was no different. Big win for the 'Cuse and it all but eliminated Providence.
Before I continue I would like to comment on the Gottlieb comments that he made after the Syracuse game saying how the Orange were still not in the tournament. I hate to say it, but I have to agree with him. I felt that the Orange would lose to Providence but then win their last two. I was wrong on the first count and I am hoping I am correct with the last two because then, as Gottlieb stated, the Orange would be in. Beating Providence at home should be taken more seriously though, Doug, the Friars were 16-2 at home, losing to Brown and Villanova! That is a pretty good record regardless of who they played! They had beated BC, Holy Cross, Marquette, and West Virginia at home...four pretty good wins. Plus, all the games that they should have won, except the Brown game. This was a big win for the Orange.
Something else that I heard as I was watching a lot of basketball this weekend. I don't remember what game I was watching, but it was one of the Big East games and they showed on the screen the "predictions" of who the announcers of the game thought were going to be in the tournament. These guys were even more ridiculuos than Doug Gottlieb. They had...Pitt, G'Town, ND, Marquette, Louisville, Villanova, and Depaul in the tournament! I'm sorry but I don't understand how Depaul and Villanova are better than Syracuse right now. Granted Depaul is on a roll, but if Syracuse hasn't beaten anyone lately then how can you say Depaul has?? Just boggles my mind how the "experts" put so much weight into the RPI. A team with a 7-7 record in the Big East should not be in over a 9-5 team who beat the 7-7 team head to head. I just don't understand it. But, if the Orange just keep winning then everything will take care of itself!
Other games of note this weekend: Georgetown beats Pitt meaning a win against the Orange tonight clinches at least a share of the regular season title for the Hoyas. Big win for the Hoyas. Louisville beat UConn yesterday meaning they are all but guaranteed in the tournament. ND wins at home against Marquette meaning if they win at Rutgers or if the Orange lose again, they get the 4 seed. Villanova won at home against Rutgers to go to 7-7 in the conference with games left at UConn and home for the Orange. Those were the only notable games of the weekend.
Big game tonight at the dome with the Hoyas coming to town. Hope the Dome is rockin' and ready to roll! A win and we are in in my opinion!!
Go 'Cuse!!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Why the RPI is worthless!
I have been a big fan of the RPI in the past as it can be a good barometer of how one team compares to another. However, the RPI is beginning to be useless when judging and coparing teams. I am going to look at teams that according to ESPN are on the "bubble." I am only going to look at teams in the mid-majors as I think these teams are the best evidence of how bad the RPI system has become.
Lets begin by looking at three teams from the MVC and the write-up that espn.com has on them in their bubble watch page:
Should be in:
Creighton [18-10 (12-5), RPI: 30, SOS: 29] The Bluejays have to come out of the lock category now after losing at Illinois State on Tuesday. I still think they'll get there, but with a nonconference slate devoid of very much to brag about, this makes the finale at home against Wichita State extremely important. The committee left out Missouri State last season after a 12-6 Valley finish, so it can happen. Creighton swept both Mo-State and Bradley, if that comes into play.
Work left to do:
Missouri State [19-9 (11-6), RPI: 32, SOS: 34] Very critical road win at Wichita State should help the computer numbers and creates some incredibly important separation from Bradley in the standings. The Bears should handle Drake in the season finale to get to 12-6. They were swept by Creighton, but swept Bradley and are a game ahead of the Braves (and have the marquee win over Wisconsin), so they're definitively third in the pecking order right now, in my opinion. Mo-State will need to win its quarterfinal game to feel better about things, but it's looking much better than it did 24 hours ago.
Bradley [18-11 (9-8), RPI: 39, SOS: 22] As big as Saturday was for the Braves, Tuesday was that bad. Losing at home to UNI probably condemns the Braves to the fourth spot in the Valley pecking order and I don't know if this league is getting four this season. The season-opening 20-point W over DePaul has lost punch and the Braves lost by 29 at Michigan State.
Looking at the RPI's of these three schools you see that they are very good RPI's...all below 40. Makes you think that these teams have great resumes right? Well you be the judge:
Creighton has beaten the following "good" teams: Xavier, Missouri St (twice), and Bradley (twice)...they have lost to the following teams: Nebraska, Dayton, Fresno St, Hawaii, Indiana St, Wichita St, Southern Ill (twice)...I will stop here! Lets throw out the Missouri St and Bradley wins because...well because I am including them in this article as well...That leaves Xavier as the only decent team they have beaten...Yet they have an RPI of 30 and a SOS of 29?? Read on to find out why...
Missouri State has beaten the following "good" teams: Wisconsin, Santa Clara, Bradley (twice), and Wichita St (twice)...They have lost to the following: Oklahoma St, Saint Louis, Creighton (twice), S. Illinois (twice), N. Iowa, Evansville, and Winthrop...Once again we will throw out Bradley and Wichita St and that leaves Wisconsin and Santa Clara as the only two "good" wins...Yet their RPI is 32 and SOS is 34?
I will skip Bradley because they lost to both teams above twice! If they can't beat them then how can they get in?
Now, the question to ask here is: how can these teams have such a high RPI and SOS when it appears they are not beating anyone? The answer is simple...because they play the likes of Wisconsin, Oklahoma St, Wichita St, Nebraska, and Xavier...the RPI is a formula that also takes into account the teams that these teams played. So, if you play a Wisconsin and beat them and then Wisconsin beats an Ohio State it makes your RPI go up. In other words, you just need to play one or two great teams and then hope they play three or four great teams and you are golden.
It is hard for me to figure out just how Creighton can have such a high RPI except that they beat Missouri St who beat Wisconsin. So, Creighton beat Wisconsin by association? This means that because Syracuse beat Marquette and Marquette beat Duke that Syracuse beat Duke?? From what I see, all the Orange needed to do was beat Wichita St or Oklahoma St and their RPI would be in the 30's. Because from what I see, all you have to do is beat someone who beat someone else who was in the top 10. I guess Creighton and Missouri St are winners by association according to the RPI.
Just for comparison here is what the Orange has done:
Beat the following "good" teams Marquette, Villanova, Hofstra, Holy Cross, (if the teams above can have Bradley as good wins then the Orange get Hoftsra and Holy Cross), and Depaul...Bad losses: every loss hurt! Win just one against Wichita St, Oklahoma St, Pitt, or Drexel and its a different story!
GO 'CUSE!!
Lets begin by looking at three teams from the MVC and the write-up that espn.com has on them in their bubble watch page:
Should be in:
Creighton [18-10 (12-5), RPI: 30, SOS: 29] The Bluejays have to come out of the lock category now after losing at Illinois State on Tuesday. I still think they'll get there, but with a nonconference slate devoid of very much to brag about, this makes the finale at home against Wichita State extremely important. The committee left out Missouri State last season after a 12-6 Valley finish, so it can happen. Creighton swept both Mo-State and Bradley, if that comes into play.
Work left to do:
Missouri State [19-9 (11-6), RPI: 32, SOS: 34] Very critical road win at Wichita State should help the computer numbers and creates some incredibly important separation from Bradley in the standings. The Bears should handle Drake in the season finale to get to 12-6. They were swept by Creighton, but swept Bradley and are a game ahead of the Braves (and have the marquee win over Wisconsin), so they're definitively third in the pecking order right now, in my opinion. Mo-State will need to win its quarterfinal game to feel better about things, but it's looking much better than it did 24 hours ago.
Bradley [18-11 (9-8), RPI: 39, SOS: 22] As big as Saturday was for the Braves, Tuesday was that bad. Losing at home to UNI probably condemns the Braves to the fourth spot in the Valley pecking order and I don't know if this league is getting four this season. The season-opening 20-point W over DePaul has lost punch and the Braves lost by 29 at Michigan State.
Looking at the RPI's of these three schools you see that they are very good RPI's...all below 40. Makes you think that these teams have great resumes right? Well you be the judge:
Creighton has beaten the following "good" teams: Xavier, Missouri St (twice), and Bradley (twice)...they have lost to the following teams: Nebraska, Dayton, Fresno St, Hawaii, Indiana St, Wichita St, Southern Ill (twice)...I will stop here! Lets throw out the Missouri St and Bradley wins because...well because I am including them in this article as well...That leaves Xavier as the only decent team they have beaten...Yet they have an RPI of 30 and a SOS of 29?? Read on to find out why...
Missouri State has beaten the following "good" teams: Wisconsin, Santa Clara, Bradley (twice), and Wichita St (twice)...They have lost to the following: Oklahoma St, Saint Louis, Creighton (twice), S. Illinois (twice), N. Iowa, Evansville, and Winthrop...Once again we will throw out Bradley and Wichita St and that leaves Wisconsin and Santa Clara as the only two "good" wins...Yet their RPI is 32 and SOS is 34?
I will skip Bradley because they lost to both teams above twice! If they can't beat them then how can they get in?
Now, the question to ask here is: how can these teams have such a high RPI and SOS when it appears they are not beating anyone? The answer is simple...because they play the likes of Wisconsin, Oklahoma St, Wichita St, Nebraska, and Xavier...the RPI is a formula that also takes into account the teams that these teams played. So, if you play a Wisconsin and beat them and then Wisconsin beats an Ohio State it makes your RPI go up. In other words, you just need to play one or two great teams and then hope they play three or four great teams and you are golden.
It is hard for me to figure out just how Creighton can have such a high RPI except that they beat Missouri St who beat Wisconsin. So, Creighton beat Wisconsin by association? This means that because Syracuse beat Marquette and Marquette beat Duke that Syracuse beat Duke?? From what I see, all the Orange needed to do was beat Wichita St or Oklahoma St and their RPI would be in the 30's. Because from what I see, all you have to do is beat someone who beat someone else who was in the top 10. I guess Creighton and Missouri St are winners by association according to the RPI.
Just for comparison here is what the Orange has done:
Beat the following "good" teams Marquette, Villanova, Hofstra, Holy Cross, (if the teams above can have Bradley as good wins then the Orange get Hoftsra and Holy Cross), and Depaul...Bad losses: every loss hurt! Win just one against Wichita St, Oklahoma St, Pitt, or Drexel and its a different story!
GO 'CUSE!!
Big weekend ahead!
The 'Cuse starts their final three game stretch tomorrow at the Dunkin Donuts Center against Providence. In order to make the field of 65 they must win at least two of the final three if one of those is against Georgetown. If they can win at Providence, which I predicted below that the Ornage would lose, then they return home to face Georgetown in what could be a huge game for both clubs!
Other games of interest to 'Cuse fans should be the Marquette/Notre Dame game and the Pittsburgh/Georgetown game. The Marquette/Notre Dame game is of interest because if Marquette can win in South Bend then it would drop Notre Dame to 6 losses. This would mean that if the Orange were to win out, in other words control their own destiny, then they would finish fourth and get a bye in the Big East tourney because the Orange hold the tie breaker over Marquette. If Notre Dame wins the game then Orange fans would need Rutgers to upset the Irish at the RAC in order to get the four seed.
The Pittsburgh/Georgetown game is of interest as well to Orange fans because if the Hoyas win at home then they could clinch at least a share of the Big East title with a win at the dome. Wouldn't it be something if Georgetown had to beat the Orange in their own building to clinch the title? That would be a huge game for both teams and the dome best be rocking. But first, the 'Cuse must survive the Friars in Providence where they are 16-2 at home.
Another game I think you all should check out is my alma mater on ESPN2 at 11 am tomorrow morning! The Marist Red Foxes, the school that Louie McCrosky transfered to, are going for the regular season MAAC title for the first time in awhile. They haven't made the tournament since Rik Smits was at the school and I will be at this game cheering on my alma mater! Marist is led by senior point guard Jared Jordan who is vying to be the first player since Avery Johnson to lead the nation in assists two years in a row. He is a stud who some say is the best pure point guard in the country. If you want something to watch other than the Duke sided College Gameday crew then turn on ESPN2 at 11 and watch Marist!
GO 'CUSE!!
Other games of interest to 'Cuse fans should be the Marquette/Notre Dame game and the Pittsburgh/Georgetown game. The Marquette/Notre Dame game is of interest because if Marquette can win in South Bend then it would drop Notre Dame to 6 losses. This would mean that if the Orange were to win out, in other words control their own destiny, then they would finish fourth and get a bye in the Big East tourney because the Orange hold the tie breaker over Marquette. If Notre Dame wins the game then Orange fans would need Rutgers to upset the Irish at the RAC in order to get the four seed.
The Pittsburgh/Georgetown game is of interest as well to Orange fans because if the Hoyas win at home then they could clinch at least a share of the Big East title with a win at the dome. Wouldn't it be something if Georgetown had to beat the Orange in their own building to clinch the title? That would be a huge game for both teams and the dome best be rocking. But first, the 'Cuse must survive the Friars in Providence where they are 16-2 at home.
Another game I think you all should check out is my alma mater on ESPN2 at 11 am tomorrow morning! The Marist Red Foxes, the school that Louie McCrosky transfered to, are going for the regular season MAAC title for the first time in awhile. They haven't made the tournament since Rik Smits was at the school and I will be at this game cheering on my alma mater! Marist is led by senior point guard Jared Jordan who is vying to be the first player since Avery Johnson to lead the nation in assists two years in a row. He is a stud who some say is the best pure point guard in the country. If you want something to watch other than the Duke sided College Gameday crew then turn on ESPN2 at 11 and watch Marist!
GO 'CUSE!!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
What a mess in the standings!
Notre Dame just crushed Depaul last night and Providence improved to 16-2 at home in their win against West Virginia. This leaves a big mess in the standings. With the win, it puts Notre Dame in a tie with Marquette at 9-5 for fourth place. These two teams meet on Saturday in what could be a battle for the last spot to get a bye in the Big East Tourney. Syracuse is now a half game back at 8-5 and with a win against Providence and a Marquette win against Notre Dame Saturday, Syracuse would be in fourth place! Depaul is probably out of the NCAA tournament now with the loss and would need to probably at least make the finals of the Big East Tournament to have a shot.
With the win against West Virginia, Providence is now creeping back into the bubble picture. With a home game against Syracuse and then two winnable road games at South Florida and at St Johns, Providence has a chance to run the table and get to 10-6. One more loss in any of these three will probably mean they would have to get to the Big East Tournament finals for a chance. West Virginia was feeling pretty confident about making the tournament before this loss and now they have to be sweating just a little bit. I still feel they have done enough to get in but a blowout loss at Pitt or a loss at home to Cincy would mean they would have to go on a run in the tournament. Still, I feel like West Virginia will be in.
I am still sticking with my predictions in a post below: I feel Georgetown, Pitt, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and West Virginia will all be in the NCAA tourney. Louisville has the easiest remaining schedule and if Syracuse finishes fourth in the conference how can you leave them out? Espn.com brought up a good point on how intriquing a matchup it would be to see Syracuse face West Virginia to see who deserves the spot if they should only get 6 teams in. Well, they do not face each other during the regular season but a win at Providence on Saturday for the Orange would be something West Virginia couldn't do 4 days earlier.
Stay tuned for a wild finish in the best conference in the land. On tap tonight: Georgetown @ Cincinnati, St. Johns @ Louisville, and UConn @ Rutgers.
UConn has games left against Louisville, Villanova, and Georgetown so they need to win against Rutgers because 10 losses and you are not going to NY City.
GO CUSE!!
With the win against West Virginia, Providence is now creeping back into the bubble picture. With a home game against Syracuse and then two winnable road games at South Florida and at St Johns, Providence has a chance to run the table and get to 10-6. One more loss in any of these three will probably mean they would have to get to the Big East Tournament finals for a chance. West Virginia was feeling pretty confident about making the tournament before this loss and now they have to be sweating just a little bit. I still feel they have done enough to get in but a blowout loss at Pitt or a loss at home to Cincy would mean they would have to go on a run in the tournament. Still, I feel like West Virginia will be in.
I am still sticking with my predictions in a post below: I feel Georgetown, Pitt, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and West Virginia will all be in the NCAA tourney. Louisville has the easiest remaining schedule and if Syracuse finishes fourth in the conference how can you leave them out? Espn.com brought up a good point on how intriquing a matchup it would be to see Syracuse face West Virginia to see who deserves the spot if they should only get 6 teams in. Well, they do not face each other during the regular season but a win at Providence on Saturday for the Orange would be something West Virginia couldn't do 4 days earlier.
Stay tuned for a wild finish in the best conference in the land. On tap tonight: Georgetown @ Cincinnati, St. Johns @ Louisville, and UConn @ Rutgers.
UConn has games left against Louisville, Villanova, and Georgetown so they need to win against Rutgers because 10 losses and you are not going to NY City.
GO CUSE!!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Why is 'Nova in and 'Cuse out?
There has been some heavy chatter going on amongst my friends and SU fans alike about the possibility of Villanova getting to the NCAA tourney over the Orange. From what I see, it is absurd to think that the Wildcats can be in ahead of Syracuse.
Recently a bunch of writers got together and did a "mock tournament" that the NCAA committee set up. One of the biggest points that was noted by most writers coming out of the night was how little they used the rpi. The rpi was only used when trying to decide between two teams who didn't play each other and had very little common opponents. The main point that was emphasized was how teams were compared based on how well they would do against each other. For example, if you have Drexel, Creighton, and Holy Cross on the "bubble" then you would compare those three teams and rate them from one to three. If the committee decides that only one of the three should get in then only the team rated one is in...Probably Drexel in this case.
Now, what I don't understand is how people like Joe Lunardi who does the ESPN Bracketology, do not take into account what their peers learned during the mock tournament. I'm going to take Villanova, Depaul, Syracuse, and West Virginia as four bubble teams in the BE. If you check my post below you will see my predictions on final records and NCAA tourney teams. Now, I, just like most people in the country, feel that the BE will get 7 bids this year. Throwing out teams that should be in...GTown, Pitt, and Marquette...and then adding L'Ville and ND to the mix of teams probably in...especially since L'Ville has an easy schedule remaining. This leaves us with 4 teams vying for what I feel are two spots.
If you go by what the NCAA committee says they go by, then you will match up each team on the bubble and decide who would win. Pretty simple scenario. Throw out the RPI when comparing teams in the same conference as they usually play each other and most of the same teams. This means the 4 teams mentioned above should be compared against each other and then compare the best teams against other bubble teams. Don't compare Villanova and Depaul against teams like Maryland, Clemson, and Gonzaga. You should compare the best of these four against the best of what is left. If this is the case, and it should be the case, then if you compare these four "bubble" teams based on head-to-head competition then who do you throw out first? VILLANOVA! They have lost to Depaul, West Virginia, and Syracuse. If they lose to Syracuse again then that would mean they would be 0-4 against the BE bubble teams and if you can't beat teams on the bubble in your own conference then why should you deserve a shot against other teams?
This leaves us with Depaul, WV, and Syracuse. Depaul has also lost to both WV and Syracuse so they would be 0-2 against these teams. This leaves WV and Syracuse as the two teams left on the bubble. This would be an interesting debate as to who would win this matchup since they don't play each other. But, if you are saying 7 BE teams get in...which the committee says they don't look at how many teams from each conference get in...then both teams would make it.
What I am trying to say is that in no way shape or form is what Villanova done better than what Syracuse has done. The only teams Syracuse lost to that will not be in the tournment are St. Johns and UConn. Drexel, Oklahoma St, Wichita St, Pitt, ND, and L'Ville all have a shot at making the tournament. Villanova couln't beat Syracuse so how can they be in ahead of them at this point? Only time will tell how the selection committee decides, as these two teams meet to end the regular season in what could be a winner take all game.
Check out my updated BE records through last nights Marquette win on the left hand side. Since making my predictions below I have only missed one game, so the final standing I predicted are looking good right now!
GO CUSE!!
Recently a bunch of writers got together and did a "mock tournament" that the NCAA committee set up. One of the biggest points that was noted by most writers coming out of the night was how little they used the rpi. The rpi was only used when trying to decide between two teams who didn't play each other and had very little common opponents. The main point that was emphasized was how teams were compared based on how well they would do against each other. For example, if you have Drexel, Creighton, and Holy Cross on the "bubble" then you would compare those three teams and rate them from one to three. If the committee decides that only one of the three should get in then only the team rated one is in...Probably Drexel in this case.
Now, what I don't understand is how people like Joe Lunardi who does the ESPN Bracketology, do not take into account what their peers learned during the mock tournament. I'm going to take Villanova, Depaul, Syracuse, and West Virginia as four bubble teams in the BE. If you check my post below you will see my predictions on final records and NCAA tourney teams. Now, I, just like most people in the country, feel that the BE will get 7 bids this year. Throwing out teams that should be in...GTown, Pitt, and Marquette...and then adding L'Ville and ND to the mix of teams probably in...especially since L'Ville has an easy schedule remaining. This leaves us with 4 teams vying for what I feel are two spots.
If you go by what the NCAA committee says they go by, then you will match up each team on the bubble and decide who would win. Pretty simple scenario. Throw out the RPI when comparing teams in the same conference as they usually play each other and most of the same teams. This means the 4 teams mentioned above should be compared against each other and then compare the best teams against other bubble teams. Don't compare Villanova and Depaul against teams like Maryland, Clemson, and Gonzaga. You should compare the best of these four against the best of what is left. If this is the case, and it should be the case, then if you compare these four "bubble" teams based on head-to-head competition then who do you throw out first? VILLANOVA! They have lost to Depaul, West Virginia, and Syracuse. If they lose to Syracuse again then that would mean they would be 0-4 against the BE bubble teams and if you can't beat teams on the bubble in your own conference then why should you deserve a shot against other teams?
This leaves us with Depaul, WV, and Syracuse. Depaul has also lost to both WV and Syracuse so they would be 0-2 against these teams. This leaves WV and Syracuse as the two teams left on the bubble. This would be an interesting debate as to who would win this matchup since they don't play each other. But, if you are saying 7 BE teams get in...which the committee says they don't look at how many teams from each conference get in...then both teams would make it.
What I am trying to say is that in no way shape or form is what Villanova done better than what Syracuse has done. The only teams Syracuse lost to that will not be in the tournment are St. Johns and UConn. Drexel, Oklahoma St, Wichita St, Pitt, ND, and L'Ville all have a shot at making the tournament. Villanova couln't beat Syracuse so how can they be in ahead of them at this point? Only time will tell how the selection committee decides, as these two teams meet to end the regular season in what could be a winner take all game.
Check out my updated BE records through last nights Marquette win on the left hand side. Since making my predictions below I have only missed one game, so the final standing I predicted are looking good right now!
GO CUSE!!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Big East Results from the weekend
Well my record (based on my picks in my previous blog) for the weekend was 6-1. The only game I missed was the Depaul/South Florida game. The updated BE Standings are below:
Pittsburgh
10-2
Georgetown
10-2
Louisville
9-4
Notre Dame
8-5
Syracuse
8-5
Marquette
8-5
West Virginia
8-5
DePaul
7-6
Villanova
6-6
Providence
6-6
St. John's
6-8
Connecticut
5-7
Seton Hall
3-9
South Florida
3-10
Rutgers
3-10
Cincinnatti
1-11
UConn needs to win 2 of their last 4 to make it to New York.
Pittsburgh
10-2
Georgetown
10-2
Louisville
9-4
Notre Dame
8-5
Syracuse
8-5
Marquette
8-5
West Virginia
8-5
DePaul
7-6
Villanova
6-6
Providence
6-6
St. John's
6-8
Connecticut
5-7
Seton Hall
3-9
South Florida
3-10
Rutgers
3-10
Cincinnatti
1-11
UConn needs to win 2 of their last 4 to make it to New York.
UConn Analysis!
Big win for the 'Cuse today!!
This was a game that was a basic must win for the Orange with three tough games coming up to end the season. The game played out exactly like I thought it would. In the first half Dyson was on fire from behind the arc and forced the Orange to play man to man defense. The man to man D was again the difference (as it was in the game against USF). The Orange were able to slow down Dyson, will mainly Paul Harris getting the duty to stop him, and the rest of the Huskies couldn't make anything. On offense it was again a balanced attack led by the 20 points by D Nic. Harris had another solid game against UConn primarily due to the way UConn decided to play him. The Huskies are a straight up man to man team that gets in your face on every possession. Harris is the type of guy who can thrive when a man plays up on him because of his ability to get to the rim. If UConn was to play off him and dare him to shoot then he may not have been as successful. But, the bottom line is, Harris was able to get to the rim and hit his foul shots.
The big turning point of the game was in the second half and the Orange up by 11. UConn was able to go on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 4 at 59-55. Then, as he has done so many times this year, Nichols was able to step up and deliver! He hit a hard fadeaway jumper from the corner and was fouled. He made the free throw to make it a 7 point game again. The next time down the court he was able to hit another tough jumper to make it a 9 point game again and basically seal the deal for the Orange. After some tough possessions down the stretch in which the Orange made some terrible mistakes when trying to run down the clock, they were able to hit the free throws to move on to the Dunkin' Donuts Center to face Providence next week.
This game was won on the glass, where UConn killed the Orange the last time out. By hammering the offensive glass from the get go, Syracuse was able to get two...three...and even four shots on some possessions. Even though they were not able to turn a lot of these into points in the first half, they were able to wear down UConn and hit the big shots when they had to.
Now at 8-5 in the BE and in a log jam for fourth place, with WV...ND...and Marquette, the Orange can control their destiny. If they win out and ND loses just one game then they finish in fourth place and earn a first round bye! It's time to get excited again up on the hill as this team is finally realizing how to finish games!
GO CUSE!!
This was a game that was a basic must win for the Orange with three tough games coming up to end the season. The game played out exactly like I thought it would. In the first half Dyson was on fire from behind the arc and forced the Orange to play man to man defense. The man to man D was again the difference (as it was in the game against USF). The Orange were able to slow down Dyson, will mainly Paul Harris getting the duty to stop him, and the rest of the Huskies couldn't make anything. On offense it was again a balanced attack led by the 20 points by D Nic. Harris had another solid game against UConn primarily due to the way UConn decided to play him. The Huskies are a straight up man to man team that gets in your face on every possession. Harris is the type of guy who can thrive when a man plays up on him because of his ability to get to the rim. If UConn was to play off him and dare him to shoot then he may not have been as successful. But, the bottom line is, Harris was able to get to the rim and hit his foul shots.
The big turning point of the game was in the second half and the Orange up by 11. UConn was able to go on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 4 at 59-55. Then, as he has done so many times this year, Nichols was able to step up and deliver! He hit a hard fadeaway jumper from the corner and was fouled. He made the free throw to make it a 7 point game again. The next time down the court he was able to hit another tough jumper to make it a 9 point game again and basically seal the deal for the Orange. After some tough possessions down the stretch in which the Orange made some terrible mistakes when trying to run down the clock, they were able to hit the free throws to move on to the Dunkin' Donuts Center to face Providence next week.
This game was won on the glass, where UConn killed the Orange the last time out. By hammering the offensive glass from the get go, Syracuse was able to get two...three...and even four shots on some possessions. Even though they were not able to turn a lot of these into points in the first half, they were able to wear down UConn and hit the big shots when they had to.
Now at 8-5 in the BE and in a log jam for fourth place, with WV...ND...and Marquette, the Orange can control their destiny. If they win out and ND loses just one game then they finish in fourth place and earn a first round bye! It's time to get excited again up on the hill as this team is finally realizing how to finish games!
GO CUSE!!
Friday, February 16, 2007
UConn pregame thoughts
I know the game isn't until tomorrow but I don't know if I will be able to post tomorrow before the game as I won't be around much and then going out to watch the game!
This is a huge game for the 'Cuse and although I can't make it up to the dome tomorrow, it better be rocking! Only two home games left and the loud house has been anything but loud this year! UConn comes in fresh off their win at home against Seton Hall, in a game that they could easily have lost. Syracuse comes in riding a two game winning streak and in need of some victories to make the NCAA tourney.
In the last matchup between these two teams, it came down to rebounding and shooting (or lack there of for Syracuse). UConn is a great rebounding and shot blocking team and in the first meeting we were unable to make anything from behind the arc. This left us trying to force shots inside over Thabeet and company. If Syracuse cannot make threes tomorrow then they will be in for another long day.
On the defensive end of the court, Syracuse needs to keep switching the defenses. At the end of the first half of the USF game they were able to switch to man and played very well in the man-to-man, I feel they need to do this again. Come out in zone and make UConn beat us from the outside and not by their big men. Force them to slow the game down and not allow Dyson to get in the open court, as that is where he is dangerous.
This is going to be another highly competitive game between two legendary coaches and I see it being close until the last couple minutes when one team will pull away. With the dome crowd hopefully pushing this team forward and with Devo, Rautins, and D-Nic hitting some shots (unlike the last UConn game) I see the 'Cuse pulling this one out!
Player of the game: D-Nic will rebound nicely scoring around 20 points and won't force the issue like he hasn't been all year. Look for Rautins to hit around 3-4 threes back in the confines of the dome, and look for Devo to have his typical 12-15 points and 4 assists.
BUT, the player of the game in my opinion will be TRob. He is due for a big game and with Mookie stepping up last game, he knows he needs to do something. With the big men of UConn prone to foul trouble I see TRob scoring about 15 points and pulling down 10+ rebounds.
This is a game Syracuse needs badly as the last three are going to be dog fights as each team looks to get into the NCAA tourney. Hope the dome is rockin and I'll be watchin with a few cold ones in hand!
Prediction: Syracuse 73 Uconn 66
GO CUSE!!
This is a huge game for the 'Cuse and although I can't make it up to the dome tomorrow, it better be rocking! Only two home games left and the loud house has been anything but loud this year! UConn comes in fresh off their win at home against Seton Hall, in a game that they could easily have lost. Syracuse comes in riding a two game winning streak and in need of some victories to make the NCAA tourney.
In the last matchup between these two teams, it came down to rebounding and shooting (or lack there of for Syracuse). UConn is a great rebounding and shot blocking team and in the first meeting we were unable to make anything from behind the arc. This left us trying to force shots inside over Thabeet and company. If Syracuse cannot make threes tomorrow then they will be in for another long day.
On the defensive end of the court, Syracuse needs to keep switching the defenses. At the end of the first half of the USF game they were able to switch to man and played very well in the man-to-man, I feel they need to do this again. Come out in zone and make UConn beat us from the outside and not by their big men. Force them to slow the game down and not allow Dyson to get in the open court, as that is where he is dangerous.
This is going to be another highly competitive game between two legendary coaches and I see it being close until the last couple minutes when one team will pull away. With the dome crowd hopefully pushing this team forward and with Devo, Rautins, and D-Nic hitting some shots (unlike the last UConn game) I see the 'Cuse pulling this one out!
Player of the game: D-Nic will rebound nicely scoring around 20 points and won't force the issue like he hasn't been all year. Look for Rautins to hit around 3-4 threes back in the confines of the dome, and look for Devo to have his typical 12-15 points and 4 assists.
BUT, the player of the game in my opinion will be TRob. He is due for a big game and with Mookie stepping up last game, he knows he needs to do something. With the big men of UConn prone to foul trouble I see TRob scoring about 15 points and pulling down 10+ rebounds.
This is a game Syracuse needs badly as the last three are going to be dog fights as each team looks to get into the NCAA tourney. Hope the dome is rockin and I'll be watchin with a few cold ones in hand!
Prediction: Syracuse 73 Uconn 66
GO CUSE!!
My predictions
Ok, So the regular season is almost over and since I just started this blog I am going to give my predictions for each team that I feel will be going to NY City for the BE Tourney. Below are my predictions for the remaining games for each of the top 12 teams in the conference. I have picked every remaining game and have made sure that if what team gets a win then the other gets a loss so the results are correct. At the bottom is where they would finish based on record and the BE tiebreaker procedure. The record in () next to the team name is their current BE record. The record at the bottom of each name is what I predict they will finish. Also, at the bottom I have given who I think will make the NCAA tourney. Now for the moment of truth:
Games in Red mean my prediction is correct...Games in blue mean I was wrong in the prediction... Results will be updated
Pitt (10-2) @SH W
@GTown L
WV W
@MARQ. L
(12-4)
GTOWN (9-2) @NOVA W
@CINCY W
PITT W
@CUSE L
UCONN W
(13-3)
MARQUETTE (8-4) L'VILLE L
NOVA W
@ND L
PITT W
(10-6)
L'VILLE (8-4) @MARQ W
ST JOHN W
@UCONN L
SH W
(11-5)
ND (7-5) @CINCY W
DEPAUL L
MARQ W
@RUT W
(10-6)
WV (7-5) SH W
@PROV L
@PITT L
CINCY W
(9-7)
CUSE (7-5) UCONN W
@PROV L
GTOWN W
@NOVA W
(10-6)
NOVA (6-5) GTOWN L
@MARQ L
RUTGERS W
@UCONN W
CUSE L
(8-8)
DEPAUL (6-6) @SF L
@ND W
CINCY W
SF W
(9-7)
ST JOHNS (6-7) @PROV L
@LVILLE L
PROV W
(7-9)
UCONN (5-6) @CUSE L
@RUT W
LVILLE W
NOVA L
@GTOWN L
(7-9)
PROV (5-6) ST JOHN W
WV W
CUSE W
@SF L
@ST JOHN L
(8-8)
Final Standings:
1. GTOWN (13-3)
2. PITT (12-4)
3. L'VILLE (11-5)
4. ND (10-6)
5. CUSE (10-6)
6. MARQ (10-6)
7. WV (9-7)
8. DEPAUL (9-7)
9. NOVA (8-8)
10. PROV (8-8)
11. UCONN (7-9)
12. ST JOHN (7-9)
Based off from the scenarios above I feel the top 7 teams are going to make the NCAA tourney. If Nova goes on a run in the BE tourney then they could be the 8th team to get in. As you can see the BE has an unbalanced schedule the last few weeks. The teams at the top all play each other and the teams at the bottom all play each other. This is why Depaul will be finishing at 9-7...them and L'Ville have the best scheduled remaining. Everyone else has to play the top teams which makes for a mad dash for the top 4 spots.
I will continue to update my results as the games are played. Check back after every game to find out how I did. I will leave my predictions up for the rest of the regular season. I will also post the game recaps for each game as well. Keep up to date on all things Big East with this blog!
GO CUSE!!
Games in Red mean my prediction is correct...Games in blue mean I was wrong in the prediction... Results will be updated
Pitt (10-2) @SH W
@GTown L
WV W
@MARQ. L
(12-4)
GTOWN (9-2) @NOVA W
@CINCY W
PITT W
@CUSE L
UCONN W
(13-3)
MARQUETTE (8-4) L'VILLE L
NOVA W
@ND L
PITT W
(10-6)
L'VILLE (8-4) @MARQ W
ST JOHN W
@UCONN L
SH W
(11-5)
ND (7-5) @CINCY W
DEPAUL L
MARQ W
@RUT W
(10-6)
WV (7-5) SH W
@PROV L
@PITT L
CINCY W
(9-7)
CUSE (7-5) UCONN W
@PROV L
GTOWN W
@NOVA W
(10-6)
NOVA (6-5) GTOWN L
@MARQ L
RUTGERS W
@UCONN W
CUSE L
(8-8)
DEPAUL (6-6) @SF L
@ND W
CINCY W
SF W
(9-7)
ST JOHNS (6-7) @PROV L
@LVILLE L
PROV W
(7-9)
UCONN (5-6) @CUSE L
@RUT W
LVILLE W
NOVA L
@GTOWN L
(7-9)
PROV (5-6) ST JOHN W
WV W
CUSE W
@SF L
@ST JOHN L
(8-8)
Final Standings:
1. GTOWN (13-3)
2. PITT (12-4)
3. L'VILLE (11-5)
4. ND (10-6)
5. CUSE (10-6)
6. MARQ (10-6)
7. WV (9-7)
8. DEPAUL (9-7)
9. NOVA (8-8)
10. PROV (8-8)
11. UCONN (7-9)
12. ST JOHN (7-9)
Based off from the scenarios above I feel the top 7 teams are going to make the NCAA tourney. If Nova goes on a run in the BE tourney then they could be the 8th team to get in. As you can see the BE has an unbalanced schedule the last few weeks. The teams at the top all play each other and the teams at the bottom all play each other. This is why Depaul will be finishing at 9-7...them and L'Ville have the best scheduled remaining. Everyone else has to play the top teams which makes for a mad dash for the top 4 spots.
I will continue to update my results as the games are played. Check back after every game to find out how I did. I will leave my predictions up for the rest of the regular season. I will also post the game recaps for each game as well. Keep up to date on all things Big East with this blog!
GO CUSE!!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
First Entry Ever!
Here is the very first blog!
This blog is going to be all about Syracuse and the Big East conference. I will post all my thoughts, opinions, and comments. I am not a professional wirter nor do I claim to be, I am just a die hard Syracuse fan who likes to digest everything about the team and the conference. Some people may not agree with what I have to say and some may hate what I have to say, but I am going to express my opinions and thoughts the best I can. Please let me know all your thoughts whether they are good or bad. I will try and update the blog every day and will do two a day on game days! There will be analysis of every game and breakdowns of the conference as I see it. The first 'Cuse related blog will be later today or tomorrow!
This blog is going to be all about Syracuse and the Big East conference. I will post all my thoughts, opinions, and comments. I am not a professional wirter nor do I claim to be, I am just a die hard Syracuse fan who likes to digest everything about the team and the conference. Some people may not agree with what I have to say and some may hate what I have to say, but I am going to express my opinions and thoughts the best I can. Please let me know all your thoughts whether they are good or bad. I will try and update the blog every day and will do two a day on game days! There will be analysis of every game and breakdowns of the conference as I see it. The first 'Cuse related blog will be later today or tomorrow!
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