News Archive on Syracuse University
Friday, March 26th, 2010
Coming off one of the most dominating performances in school history, a blowout laugher victory over Gonzaga, the Syracuse Orangemen returned with one of their worst performances in memory. Looking confused and tired, the Butler Bulldogs lulled the Orangeman to sleep on offense and dogged them on defense to gain the 63-59 win and earn it first-ever ticket to the Elite Eight.
 Boeheim Has No Excuses For Loss Butler got rolling early, jumping out to a 12-1 lead as Syracuse turned the ball over 5 times in the first 6:30 of the game. Syracuse then clawed their way back to a 5-point deficit at 17-12 before Butler extended the lead to 35-25 before the end of the half, as the Orange coughed up the ball for 12 first half turnovers.
Syracuse came out roaring to start the second half, going on a 15-4 run that gave them their first lead of the game at 40-39 with 13:29 remaining. Butler hung tough, but Syracuse began to pull away at 54-50 after an Andy Rautins three pointer and Kris Joseph dunk. It looked at that point the top seed would put an end to the Cinderella dreams.
Butler would then stamp out the Orangemen. Ronald Nored and Willie Veasley nailed three pointers and Syracuse began to choke. Andy Rautins would then throw up an anxiety-laden three pointer which amounted to another turnover and Willie Veasley would slam the door shut with an offensive rebound put back with 0:59 left.
So what happened?
There were four major reasons why the Orangemen went down in a heap and to improve upon this disappointing performance, we need to isolate the breakdowns.
Unfriendly Officiating
Syracuse was bewildered right from the beginning as Butler attacked on defense. Averaging just 15 turnovers per game coming into the matchup, Syracuse lost the ball 12 times in the first half and dug themselves a huge hole. The officials made it clear they were going to call the game loosely and Syracuse didn’t respond properly to the muggings that were occuring to Andy Rautins and Wes Johnson. It takes getting the refs attention that things could “get out of hand” to get them to change their lackadaisical whistle blowing. Some simple chest bumping and jawing could have changed the tone. Instead, a team which played pressing man-to-man defense with constant trapping was called for just 15 fouls when they could have easily been whistled 25-30 times.
Boeheim’s Coaching
While Jim Boeheim did some of the best coaching of his career this year, he should hand back the Coach of The Year award after this performance. His team was listless with no answers on offense. With 18 turnovers, their gaffes almost exceeded the field goals they made at 21. Rick Jackson needed Stickum for his hands and Scoop Jardine needed a lesson on team basketball, but Boeheim let it ride. His team could not get it together. They outshot Butler from inside and outside the arc, outrebounded them on the offensive and defensive end and delivered more assists. When your team does all this, dominates every stat and they still lose, a lot of blame goes to the coach. Boeheim simply couldn’t get them out of their funk.
No Transition Game
Syracuse had no running game at all last night. Their offensive style of up-tempo aggression was stopped cold. It seemed as though the players were just out of gas from the beginning. Some will blame this on the altitude in Salt Lake City, but I toss this on a team being tight and scared to lose.
Arinze Onuaku
Missing the pitbull in the center of the offense crushed Syracuse. Rick Jackson showed he was not Onuaku as he was embarrassing over and over on the offensive end. He could not force his way into position and forced the offense to gamble with it ball-handling. With no transition game to speak of, Syracuse needed to push the ball inside and Jackson didn’t answer the call. As Onuaku’s career comes to an end, he will always question whether he should have at least suited up for a just-in-case situation. That situation presented it last night and he was in street clothes. No Willis Reed moment was going to occur.
For Syracuse fans, disappointment comes with the territory of donning orange colored jerseys. Tons of talents with little hardware to show for it. Last night’s lost is another squandered season and rates right up there with other famous Syracuse implosions under Boeheim.
Here’s looking to next season and how they can disappoint again.
Tags: andy rautins, arinze onuaku, jim boeheim, rick jackson, scoop jardine, wes johnson
Posted in College Basketball, Syracuse University | 6 Comments »
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
The NCAA Basketball Tournament has been trimmed down to sixteen teams and it has been a wide open tournament from the opening tipoff. The #1 overall seed Kansas Jayhawks were shocked in the second round with a loss to Northern Iowa, and the third seeded Georgetown Hoyas did not even taste victory as they were bounced in the first round by Ohio. How does the tournament shape up with the remaining survivors is the question? Here is the way I see it…
MIDWEST
This region saw the aforementioned upsets above with Kansas and Georgetown wondering why they were sent packing. With those teams out, it is set up nicely for the Ohio St. Buckeyes to come out of this region. They have been workmenlike like so far, and they should take out Tennessee in their next game and then the winner of the Michigan State/Northern Iowa game. Ohio St. looks real good for the Final Four.
WEST
 Will the Kentucky Wildcats hang a championship banner from the rafters in 2010? The West region still has their number two seeds remaining in Syracuse and Kansas St. Syracuse has looked impressive including yesterday’s victory over Gonzaga. Kansas St. has looked true to form also and knocked off BYU in their latest victory. These two teams are on a collision course to meet in the Elite Eight and that should make a incredible game. But in the end, I see the Orangemen advancing and being a little too much for KState to handle.
EAST
This region has my prediction champion Kentucky Wildcats playing as well as anyone in the tournament. Kentucky is coming off a thirty point blowout over Wake Forest and are riding on a high. They will have stiff competition down the road in Big East champion West Virginia. That game sets up for a very intriguing matchup. Kentucky is too deep and talented to the Final Four pass them by.
SOUTH
The South hosts the #1 seeded Duke Blue Devils. Duke has advanced with smothering defense and looks like a lock to get to the Eight where they will probably face a hungry Baylor team that has won their first tourney games in sixty years. I think Baylor will take out Duke and become the best story of the Final Four.
As you can see so far, anything can happen in this tournament. This makes it very tough to predict but makes the watching that much more exciting. I am looking forward to Thursday to see what transpires. It has left me wanting more!
Tags: Baylor, BYU, Duke, Final Four, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas st, Kentucky Wildcats, Michigan State, NCAA Basketball Tournament, Northern Iowa, Ohio, Ohio State, Syracuse orangemen, Tennessee, Wake Forest, West Virginia
Posted in Baylor University, Brigham Young BYU University, College Basketball, Duke University, Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, Kansas State University, Kansas University, Kentucky University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Syracuse University, Tennessee University, Wake Forest University, West Virginia University | 9 Comments »
Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Versatility. It can be the difference between becoming a champ or becoming a chump.
In Buffalo, New York, the spotlight was shining brightly on the Syracuse Orangeman as they took the floor, minus one of its leaders, Arinze Onuaku. After watching top-ranked Kansas get knocked out of the tournament the previous day, Syracuse definitely was feeling the pressure to deliver a solid performance against a Gonzaga squad ranked 22nd in the AP Poll and a perennial NCAA Tourney upstart.
 Johnson Leads Syracuse To Blowout Victory The Orangemen didn’t disappoint and sent a message to the remaining teams in the field that they are the team to beat with a stunning 87-65 rout. With Onuaku in street clothes on the bench and center Rick Jackson on the bench with three fouls with 8:58 remaining in the first half, the Orangemen were ripe for defeat. Instead, the showed why they are the most feared team in the tournament, as they stuffed the Gonzaga offense with a stifling 2-3 zone and spread the wealth on offense as they went on a 15-4 run to close the first half to open a 15 point lead.
The beatdown didn’t end there, as Syracuse opened the second half with another 15-4 run over four minutes to effectively to put a close to the game and coast in with the most impressive victory by any team thus far in the tournament.
On both ends of the court, everything went right. As a team, Syracuse shot 55% from the field, 48% from behind the arc and 74% from the free throw line. Defensively they held Gonzaga to 42% from the field and 14% from behind the arc, numbers which improved as Syracuse showed mercy over the final ten minutes.
The offensive onslaught was led by Wesley Johnson and Andy Rautins. Johnson scored a career high 31 points and 14 rebounds with Rautins scoring 24 points while draining five three pointers. Brandon Triche chipped in 13 points and Scoop Jardine added 9 points. Rick Jackson pulled down 10 rebounds and Kris Joseph added 6 boards to round out the action.
The victory was all that more impressive given that star big man, Arinze Onuaku was still nursing a quadricep injury that he aggravated during the Big East tournament. Onuaku, considered one of the best defensive players in the NCAA, is the central core of the vaunted 2-3 zone defense. Despite Onuaku not on the floor, the Orangemen shut down the Gonzaga offense over and over and was especially relentless during the eight minute span that saw Syracuse establish a 30 point lead.
What makes Syracuse so dangerous for upcoming opponents is the preparation required to prepare for its 2-3 zone. During the regular season, teams get a few days to prepare during practice for what awaits on the floor that they only see when they play Syracuse. Gonzaga showed today what limited practice time can do to a team facing this defense. If Syracuse can win it first of two games in each of the upcoming weekends that close out the season, they have the advantage in the Regional Final and Final matchups.
At this point, nobody wants to play Syracuse and they are the clear favorite to be cutting down the nets in Indianapolis, with or without Arinze Onuaku.
Tags: andy rautins, arinze onuaku, brandon triche, NCAA Basketball Tournament, rick jackson, scoop jardine, syracuse basketball, wesley johnson
Posted in College Basketball, Syracuse University | No Comments »
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
This years NCAA Basketball tournament appears to be wide open. My predictions have chalk in them but also have a bit of a surprise in them compared to what most of the experts are going with. Here are my Final Four predictions…
 March Madness is upon us. It is time to pick your Final Four. This is where my surprise come in. Kansas is the top seeded team in this tournament, and most people have them not only making it to the Final Four but winning the whole thing. I do see Kansas getting to the Elite Eight, but I see the Georgetown Hoyas beating them there. Georgetown has a tough path to get to Kansas including possibly playing Ohio State on there way to Kansas. I like the way Georgetown plays and are coached. They run a good offense, have a good defense are were so close to winning the Big East tournament. They are peaking at the right time.
Prediction:Georgetown
WEST
I see this region as the chalk winning it. Syracuse is the #1 seed. I see the Orangemen winning this region even though they have limped into the tournament and do have a injury concern. Cuse has a pretty easy road to the Elite Eight where they will likely face Kansas St. I think by then, they will be both healthy, and a team playing at their best. Syracuse is the class of this region and is too talented to let the Final Four pass them by.
Prediction:Syracuse
EAST
The East region features the freshmen talented Kentucky Wildcats. I think Kentucky has the most talent of any team in the tournament, and they will show they can play as a team with that talent. Kentucky won a lot of close games this year including a unlikely win in the finals of the SEC tournament. This type of winning brings a team together. Kentucky has become a team with awesome talent and will be tough to beat in this tournament. Kentucky takes out West Virginia to get to the Final Four.
Prediction:Kentucky
South
The South region features the Duke Blue Devils as the #1 seed. Duke has the easiest road to the Elite Eight and should not have much of a problem getting there. They are more than fortunate to get this kind of draw. While I would like to pick the Blue Devils because of their fortune, I do not believe on they will get to the Final Four. I am going to go with the Villanova Wildcats. Nova did not end the season on much of a road as they had a very tough schedule to end it. I think that with their hard ending schedule, the competition of the Big East conference, and the talent they have as a team, Villanova will come out of the South and take out Duke.
Prediction:Villanova
My final four has two number ones, a two and a three. I have three Big East teams making the final four. I see Kentucky taking out Georgetown in the finals. The Wildcats with three freshmen cut down the nets.
Tags: big east, Duke, Final Four, Georgetown, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas st, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA Basketball Tournament, Ohio State, SEC, Syracuse orangemen, Villanova, West Virginia
Posted in College Basketball, Duke University, Georgetown University, Kansas State University, Kansas University, Kentucky University, Ohio State University, Syracuse University, Villanova University, West Virginia University | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Looking at the #1 seeds in this years NCAA Basketball Tournament leaves me with the question on what the committee was thinking when they put together the brackets. Kansas is the #1 overall team in the nation but was not treated as such. Here is the way I see how the #1 seeds have it in fashion with difficultly…
 How do the #1 seeds have it in March Madness? The fore mentioned Kansas Jayhawks have the hardest road even though they were the #1 ranked team to end the season. Kansas, in the MIDWEST bracket, will have to go through Maryland to get to the elite Eight and will then in probability take on the Georgetown/Ohio State winner. Those two teams are among the best teams playing right now and will give Kansas a tough run to the Final Four.
The West bracket has the Syracuse Orangemen as the #1 seed and they have it pretty good. They should cruise to the Elite Eight where they will probably take on Kansas St. or Pittsburgh. This is a easier matchup than what Kansas has to deal with. Syracuse was lucky to be a #1 seed as they limped into the tournament, but they seemed to get rewarded for it.
The East bracket has the Kentucky Wildcats as the #1 seed. Kentucky is the hottest team in the NCAA right now but have a tough road to the Final Four. They will probably have to face a talented and underachieved Texas team along with Temple on their way to the Elite Eight. If they are fortunate to get there, they will probably face either West Virginia or New Mexico on their way to the Final Four. A tough draw for the red hot Wildcats.
The South bracket has the Duke Blue Devils as the #1 seed. Duke has the easiest road to the elite eight and should make it with not much of a problem. There, they will probably face either Villanova or Baylor. Not a bad draw by any means. If Duke can get there, they should be the freshest team in the Final Four.
While all this is speculation and prediction, I see Duke having the easiest road to the Final Four followed by Syracuse, Kentucky and Kansas. We will have to see how this all plays out, but I am ready to see it. MARCH MADNESS is only a couple of days away.
Tags: Baylor, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas st, Kentucky Wildcats, Maryland, NCAA Basketball Tournament, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse orangemen, Temple, texas, Villanova, West Virginia
Posted in Baylor University, College Basketball, Duke University, Georgetown University, Kansas State University, Kansas University, Kentucky University, Maryland University, New Mexico University, Ohio State University, Pittsburgh University, Syracuse University, Temple University, Texas University, Villanova University, West Virginia University | 1 Comment »
Monday, March 1st, 2010
This is not your father’s Syracuse Orangeman squad. Those Jim Boeheim teams from the 1980s and 1990s are a thing of the past thanks to the 2010 squad. Those past teams were remembered for going into major funks, losing silly games and not living up to their talent levels. This 2010 team is different.
 Boeheim Steers Syracuse Back To #1 Rank When you look back at some of the great Syracuse teams, most fans look fondly back at the Derrick Coleman, Rony Seikaly and Sherman Douglas years. Unquestionably the most talented Syracuse squads ever with three solid NBA starters that each had 10+ year professional careers. Despite all that talent, they became the face of the struggles of Syracuse Basketball. They will be forever remembered for their NCAA Finals loss to Indiana and Keith Smart’s buzzer-beater.
Very good, but for some reason couldn’t put it all together.
That was personified during the 1987-88 season. After the surprising run the previous season, Syracuse had their three main cogs back and expectations were high. The were christened with the Preseason #1 ranking. The bloom quickly came of the rose, as Syracuse dropped the top ranking after just one week and didn’t deliver as expected.
This 2010 squad is the antithesis of that ‘87-’88 squad. This team came in with zero expectations, picked to finish mid-pack in the Big East and be scrambling to make the NCAA tourney. They are the example as to why you play the games. And the game played on Saturday night just vaulted them back to the top ranking after crushing Villanova.
Syracuse today will garner its first regular season top-ranking since January 2, 1990. Led by Coleman, Billy Owens and Stevie Thompson, Syracuse held the top ranking for 6 weeks before crumbling and getting knocked out of the NCAA tournament during the Sweet 16. Those four seasons between 1986 to 1990 have stuck to Syracuse like glue and have forever labeled Syracuse as the team that couldn’t get it done. Everyone one of those teams found a way to lose.
This year’s squad is different. There are no stars, just players. They are led by a scrappy shooter named Andy Rautins who has no NBA dreams. These final games are his swan song and he plans to be the motor on this team. His play drove the blowout victory over Villanova, as he pushed they ball inside and Syracuse dominated in the paint.
That selfless play is what makes this Syracuse team different.
Boeheim, while a great X and O coach has always struggled to manage his stars. Even during their NCAA Championship run, Syracuse ended the season ranked 13th and were stamped by the sports media as just another team that will disappoint. They just didn’t account for the greatness of Carmelo Anthony that even Boeheim could not interrupt.
Since that championship, Boeheim’s coaching style has changed, due much in part to his national presence on world basketball squads where he has been brought in to teach the pros how to play the 2-3 zone. The experience of rubbing shoulders with other top coaches has helped Boeheim figure out how to get the most out of his players.
This year’s Syracuse team is without question the most complete team in the NCAA and will provide headaches for every team come tournament time. They have no weakness. They can beat you inside or outside. They can push the ball up on offense and can slow you down on defense. There is no one guy who the offense goes through, so they can rely on others when someone is having an off night. And most importantly, they have seven players that can start on pretty much any team in the country.
Its time to get that monkey of the Orangemen’s back as they look to close down the season strong and gain a top-seed in the NCAA tournament.
Tags: andy rautins, derrick coleman, jim boeheim, rony seikaly, sherman douglas
Posted in College Basketball, Syracuse University | No Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010
The Louisville Cardinals went into Sundays game against the second rated Syracuse Orangemen with their heads down. When the game was over, there heads were raised with achievement of a much needed upset victory.
Louisville was coming off their worse performance of the season in a embarassing 74-55 loss to St. Johns on Thursday night. So you would figure Louisville would have no chance, think again.
 Rick Pitino's Louisville Cardinals got a much needed upset victory over #2 Syracuse. Syracuse was also riding a eleven game winning streak to boot and were playing in fornt of their home crowd in the Carrier Dome. I think the only people who gave the Cardinals a chance were the players and coach Rick Pitino.
Louisville went into the Dome against all odds and pulled off the major upset 66-60 leaving Orangemen fans stunned. The Cardinals were lead by Edgar Sosa who had twelve points and five assists and Samardo Samuels scored all eight of his points down the stretch to seal the victory.
The Cards only shot 42% form the field and a miserable 9-17 from the free throw line. This kind of play on the road against the second-rated team will usually send you back home with a loss. But the Orangeman shot a poultry 41% and was only 5-19 from beyond the arc. The Cardinals escape with the victory, and they will take it any way they can get it.
Louisville needed this victory on their resume’ as they had not had a impressive victory to speak of so far. This will serve as a signature victory in their quest to get invited to the big dance in March. They stand at 16-9 and 7-5 in the Big East right now.
This victory was their fifth in a row over Syracuse. Louisville has their number and they are very thankful for that. While this upset does not guarantee any invitation to the NCAA tournament, it will go along way towards it . Beating the number two team in the nation on the road is something to hang your hat on. Louisville got a much needed win on Sunday.
Tags: big east, Edgar Sosa, Louisville Cardinals, NCAA, Rick Pitino, Samardo Samuels, St. Johns Red Storm, Syracuse orangemen
Posted in College Basketball, Louisville University, St Johns University, Syracuse University | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Jim Boeheim and his Syracuse Orangemen (22-1) just keep rolling, winning their ninth straight game over Providence by a score of 85-68. Kris Joseph came of the bench to lead Syracuse with 23 points and Arinze Onuaku chipped in a season-high 20 points in the blowout victory. Jamine Patterson dropped in 25 points for the Providence Friars (12-10) in the defeat.
 Orange Set School Record The victory set a school record for the best start to a season. The 1979-1980 basketball squad, Boeheim’s fourth season at the helm, got off to a 22-1 before fading down the stretch and getting knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the Sweet Sixteen round. That team was led by the “Bouie and Louie” show, with Roosevelt Bouie and Louis Orr driving the team along with future NBA player Danny Schayes coming off the bench.
Syracuse once again showed its depth with seven players rotating and getting at least 20 minutes. Joseph and Onuaku were the hot hands on the floor and the Syracuse offense steered the ball in their direction. Joseph was 9 of 11 from the field and a perfect 5 for 5 on the foul line, while Onuaku was 10-12 from the field and was ferociously dominating in the paint.
The famed Syracuse 2-3 zone dominated in the second, busting open the three point lead the Orangeman held at halftime. Opening with a 22-7 run, the Orangemen never looked back and were never seriously threatened thereafter. Syracuse did this without standout forward Wesley Johnson. Midway through the first half, Johnson landed hard on the court after being upended in mid-air for a dunk. Johnson would log just three minutes in the second half.
The difference maker in the game were the little things that don’t always show up on the ESPN highlight show. Leading the team in assists was F/C Rick Jackson with seven assists. Point guards Brandon Triche and Scoop Jardine both finished the game with zero turnovers, keeping the ball in Syracuse hands and limiting Providence in scoring transition baskets.
“It just shows that they’re deep,” Providence coach Keno Davis said. “They’ve got so many guys that can have big games against you. And then their defense. They force you outside. They really understand their defense and they’re pretty physical when you try to rebound. It’s just a deep, physical, talented team.”
Next up for Syracuse, a road game at Cincinnati (14-7) on Sunday where they will look to extend their team record streak to open a season.
Tags: arinze onuaku, brandon triche, jamine patterson, jim boeheim, keno davis, kris joseph, providence basketball, scoop jardine, syracuse basketball, wesley johnson
Posted in Providence University, Syracuse University | No Comments »
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
The Syracuse Orangemen came out sleeping at the start for the second straight game, but were able to overcome an 18-point deficit on the road to defeat the DePaul Blue Demons 59-57 in a Big East Conference matchup. Syracuse was lead by Wes Johnson who registered 16 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the Orange. DePaul’s Will Walker scored 21 points in a losing effort.
 Syracuse Survives In DePaul Syracuse came out flat, falling behind 14-6 in the opening minutes. It was replay of their slow start against Georgetown this past Monday night, spotting the Hoyas 14 points before they got onto the scoreboard. But unlike the Georgetown game, Syracuse had work much harder to pull themselves back into this game, as the offense was unable to pull itself out of its lull.
As Syracuse laid brick after brick on the rim, DePaul was able to extend its lead to 33-15 with 8:53 left in the first half. The vaunted Syracuse 2-3 zone the kicked in and left DePaul with no answers as the Orange went on a 16-0 run that spanned 7:40 before DePaul’s Krys Faber nailed a jumper to halt the run, allowing DePaul to head into halftime with 35-31 lead against the #3 ranked team in the country.
Syracuse’s offensive woes continued into the second half, as senior guard Andy Rautins was unable to breakout of a two-game shooting slump and Syracuse struggled to get baskets to fall. DePaul built its lead back up to 52-43 after a Mac Koshwal layup with 7:20 remaining.
From that point on, it was all Syracuse. Kris Joseph, Rautins and Scoop Jardine connected on consecutive three-point baskets. The Syracuse offense then shifted into transition mode, as Johnson beat the Blue Demons up the court for a highlight reel dunk to tie the game and on the next possession Jardine was able to push through and past traffic for a layup that gave Syracuse the lead for the first time in the game at 56-54 with 3:37 left in the game.
Syracuse would not relinquish that lead again.
The Blue Demons has their chances to put Syracuse away, but squandered numerous opportunities. The key to the game actually didn’t happen on the floor, it happened in the coaches box for DePaul. Interim head coach Tracy Webster, who recently replaced the fired Jerry Wainwright, and his team squandered their timeouts in the second half. After using their final timeout at 8:28 while extending their lead, DePaul was unable to slow the momentum of Syracuse’s late run that would snatch away a chance at getting their 2nd Big East victory in their last 29 Big East games.
For Syracuse, it was another game that tested the mettle of its squad. It gives them some things to work on, but they should come away positive from the victory knowing that their worst offensive performance of the season resulted in a victory. When the pressure was on, the Orange once again delivered on both ends of the court.
Tags: andy rautins, big east, depaul basketball, kris joseph, scoop jardine, syracuse basketball, wesley johnson, will walker
Posted in College Basketball, Depaul University, Syracuse University | No Comments »
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andy rautins, big east, depaul basketball, kris joseph, scoop jardine, syracuse basketball, wesley johnson, will walker
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