Scenario:
Syracuse, NY ~Mid February
A Syracuse team that has had trouble gelling finally gets it and makes a run. Finishing out their last 10 games impressively, including big wins over the stretch. The toppling of Georgetown is among these victories. The biggest snub in NCAA history occurs, and this 22-10 team who finished 5th in the Big East (A power conference) somehow gets the boot from the selection committee. Upstate NY is thrown for a loop.
Fast Forward to Mid-March.
Same team is on the floor in a post-season tournament (not the one they wanted, but let's stick it to Walters). Run through the first two rounds of the tournament, including setting a record for NIT attendance along the way in the Carrier Dome, with arguably the best crowd of the season. The world is riding high on 'Cuse hoops (or at least we all are).
Last night:
Travel to Clemson to take on a Tigers team that is in the dumps, but has been rolling much like the Orange in the NIT. Clemson decides to hit everything from beyond the arc in the first half, finishing at .474 for the game (season long .338 team), while Cuse, a team known for it's shooting hits .188, the only shooter hitting being D. Nichols. You'd think we get blown out, and figure the season is a wash right?
Of course not! We rebound from a 17 point deficit in the second half, make a 22-7 run, and bring the game back within a point under a minute. I called it perfectly over in my South Alabama post-game thread, the state of Cuse Hoops has been a roller coaster for the last few years, every game.
The seniors gave everything they have to keep this run alive, and I respect them for it. The more I look back on it, the more I'm going to miss this group. They may not have been the smartest players, (Hoops IQ-wise), but damn it they gave everything they had on every day it seemed. From the heartache vs Wichita State when DNic missed the layup, to Roberts playing the end of the season and finishing it out on one leg, these guys have been great. Watching Mookie develop into a legitimate Center, and even seeing Gorman rocking around in his assless chaps at Providence...
Basically all I'm trying to say is that it was good to see this group of seniors step up and take the reigns, when at the beginning of the season everyone wondered "What will we do without Gerry?" Well, I'm here to pose a new question "What will we do without DNic? or Mookie?" There are some gaps to fill now and hopefully we can have immediate impact from Flynn, Greene, Scoop, and Jackson when they show up on campus to fill those shoes.
Showing posts with label NIT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NIT. Show all posts
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Should we visit Mike Jones on the way?, Nah just leave him some tickets...
After a great win over San Diego State University, in a record setting attendance night for the NIT tournament with over 26,000 fans in the Dome last night, the Orangemen are on their way to South Carolina. I know I normally do a recap of the game, but if the fact that we rolled 80-64, with Todd Burach getting a basket in his final Dome game of his career don't sum it up, then Brian over at Orange44 had a great recap as well.
Down in the great state of South Carolina, the boys are looking to match up with a Clemson Tigers team that was the hottest thing since the Furby craze at the beginning of the year. Since that 17-0 start, against powerhouses Appalachian State, and Wofford, (and people criticize the SU non-conference schedule), the Tigers have successfully finished out of the NCAA's and into the NIT. Clemson's only notable wins came over BC (split) and Georgia Tech (also split). They basically choked more than Bobby Knight at Indiana.
Anyway, here's how we match up vs. the Tigers.
Down in the great state of South Carolina, the boys are looking to match up with a Clemson Tigers team that was the hottest thing since the Furby craze at the beginning of the year. Since that 17-0 start, against powerhouses Appalachian State, and Wofford, (and people criticize the SU non-conference schedule), the Tigers have successfully finished out of the NCAA's and into the NIT. Clemson's only notable wins came over BC (split) and Georgia Tech (also split). They basically choked more than Bobby Knight at Indiana.
Anyway, here's how we match up vs. the Tigers.
Starting Lineups:
Clemson - Pos. - Syracuse
Vernon Hamilton - 6'0" - PG - Eric Devendorf - 6'4"
Cliff Hammonds - 6'3" - SG - Andy Rautins - 6'5"
K.C. Rivers - 6'5" - SF - Demitris Nichols - 6'7"
Trevor Booker - 6'7" - PF - Terrence Roberts - 6'10"
James Mays - 6'9" - C - Mookie Watkins - 6'11"
Clemson - Pos. - Syracuse
Vernon Hamilton - 6'0" - PG - Eric Devendorf - 6'4"
Cliff Hammonds - 6'3" - SG - Andy Rautins - 6'5"
K.C. Rivers - 6'5" - SF - Demitris Nichols - 6'7"
Trevor Booker - 6'7" - PF - Terrence Roberts - 6'10"
James Mays - 6'9" - C - Mookie Watkins - 6'11"
Yet another team we should be able to out-size, though it seems we have trouble doing so this year. Our Bigs tend to play more solidly against larger teams (Mookie vs. Gray or Hibbert, as opposed to S. Alabama's Little). It looks like Nichols should have a reach advantage over Rivers, and should be able to extend his jumper over him.
Rivers is their leading scorer at 13.3ppg, also averaging 4.5 boards. All five of their starters average in double figures for points, with Rivers, Mays and Hamilton at 12.3, Hammonds at 11.7, and Booker at 10.4. They don't get much production off the bench, with the next leading scorer Sam Perry at 3.6ppg.
Hammonds is the primary distributor at 4.1apg, and Hamilton at 3.7. Mays and Booker take the boards at 6.5 a piece. On paper this seems like a very favorable match up, and I don't know how much they have seen an active zone. They are not a great shooting team from deep, but are solid, with Rivers at .391 and Hammonds at .374 on the year, and .369 as a team (opposed to our .369 and Nichols at .418, Devo and Homebrew Drew hovering around .360). They also seem to give up plenty of good looks from the field, with Opp FG% a very high .444 .
All in all it should be an interesting game. Though the fan support won't be there, neither will Clemson's. They average only 7,217 attendance per game. Maybe Mike Jones will show up and help root for the team he transferred from?
Rivers is their leading scorer at 13.3ppg, also averaging 4.5 boards. All five of their starters average in double figures for points, with Rivers, Mays and Hamilton at 12.3, Hammonds at 11.7, and Booker at 10.4. They don't get much production off the bench, with the next leading scorer Sam Perry at 3.6ppg.
Hammonds is the primary distributor at 4.1apg, and Hamilton at 3.7. Mays and Booker take the boards at 6.5 a piece. On paper this seems like a very favorable match up, and I don't know how much they have seen an active zone. They are not a great shooting team from deep, but are solid, with Rivers at .391 and Hammonds at .374 on the year, and .369 as a team (opposed to our .369 and Nichols at .418, Devo and Homebrew Drew hovering around .360). They also seem to give up plenty of good looks from the field, with Opp FG% a very high .444 .
All in all it should be an interesting game. Though the fan support won't be there, neither will Clemson's. They average only 7,217 attendance per game. Maybe Mike Jones will show up and help root for the team he transferred from?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Jaguars....
Well I can't particularly believe I'm doing this... or in a position to be doing this for this matter. Come 7pm tonight the Cuse will open the NIT against the University of South Alabama Jaguars. It also seems to be that the Orange will be taking their aggression out on the USA.
The University of South Alabama is apparently in Mobile. Something I was unaware of, due to the fact that I didn't know the school existed. I digress though, as it does seem to be a fine academic institution.
On to the hoops squad:
University of South Alabama Jaguars
Overall Record: (20-11)
Conference: Sun Belt (13-5)
The Jags ended the season on a four game skid, losing the last two in overtime vs Troy and vs Middle Tennessee St. in the Sun Belt Tournament.
Results against some notable opponents:
Fresno St. - L 63-73
Mississippi St. - L 46-84
Ole Miss - L 72-82
Auburn - L 71-82
Scoring Threats: Demetric Bennett - 15.3ppg, Daon Merritt - 13.0 and Ernest Little - 12.8
Perimeter: Merritt is 5'10" PG who i'm assuming is quick. Bennett is a 6'4" swing who is their go-to guy.
Post Threats: Little is a 6'9" 230lb C who can score, it seems.
Boards: Little @ 9.0rpg and Bennett @ 5.5
Outside: Bennett... .423 (74-175) from behind the arc. Merrit (.371) Leandro Buboltz (.358) and Carlos Smith (.338) are also not afraid to huck it from long range.
We've got a size advantage, even with Wright at the point (never thought I could say that). Their bench seems as shallow as ours, with only a 7 man rotation. Stephen Cowherd, a 6'2" SG seems to get the majority of the minutes off the bench. He's another 3pt threat at .376 on the year, though hes not as likely to pull the trigger, if hes shooting it will probably be from behind the arc (Homebrew Drew anyone?). Of 132 shots taken, 85 have been threes. As a whole, 40.7% of their shots come from long range.
The University of South Alabama is apparently in Mobile. Something I was unaware of, due to the fact that I didn't know the school existed. I digress though, as it does seem to be a fine academic institution.
On to the hoops squad:
University of South Alabama Jaguars
Overall Record: (20-11)
Conference: Sun Belt (13-5)
The Jags ended the season on a four game skid, losing the last two in overtime vs Troy and vs Middle Tennessee St. in the Sun Belt Tournament.
Results against some notable opponents:
Fresno St. - L 63-73
Mississippi St. - L 46-84
Ole Miss - L 72-82
Auburn - L 71-82
Scoring Threats: Demetric Bennett - 15.3ppg, Daon Merritt - 13.0 and Ernest Little - 12.8
Perimeter: Merritt is 5'10" PG who i'm assuming is quick. Bennett is a 6'4" swing who is their go-to guy.
Post Threats: Little is a 6'9" 230lb C who can score, it seems.
Boards: Little @ 9.0rpg and Bennett @ 5.5
Outside: Bennett... .423 (74-175) from behind the arc. Merrit (.371) Leandro Buboltz (.358) and Carlos Smith (.338) are also not afraid to huck it from long range.
Starters:
Eric Devendorf 6'4"- PG - Daon Merritt 5'10"
Andy Rautins 6'5" - SG - Carlos Smith 6'0"
Demitris Nichols 6'7" - SF - Demetric Bennett 6'4"
Terrence Roberts 6'9" - PF - Leandro Buboltz 6'7"
Mookie Watkins 6'11" - C - Ernest Little 6'9" .
Eric Devendorf 6'4"- PG - Daon Merritt 5'10"
Andy Rautins 6'5" - SG - Carlos Smith 6'0"
Demitris Nichols 6'7" - SF - Demetric Bennett 6'4"
Terrence Roberts 6'9" - PF - Leandro Buboltz 6'7"
Mookie Watkins 6'11" - C - Ernest Little 6'9" .
We've got a size advantage, even with Wright at the point (never thought I could say that). Their bench seems as shallow as ours, with only a 7 man rotation. Stephen Cowherd, a 6'2" SG seems to get the majority of the minutes off the bench. He's another 3pt threat at .376 on the year, though hes not as likely to pull the trigger, if hes shooting it will probably be from behind the arc (Homebrew Drew anyone?). Of 132 shots taken, 85 have been threes. As a whole, 40.7% of their shots come from long range.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Well, at least we get to play in Syracuse?
Alright guys, my blood-red vision and desire to maim anything that has the letters NCAA on it (not even necessarily in that order) seems to have died down a touch. Now lets look at the issue...
I can't remember, and I don't believe so, but today I will do my homework a touch and see if any other 22 win team with 10 conference wins has ever been snubbed by the selection committee before (I think we may be setting a precedent here). This is Bush League at its finest my friends...
Here's who DID make it:
A Villanova team which we split the season series with has made the tournament. They have the same record as the Orange, and a one game worse in-conference record, yet were able to go dancing.
Arkansas, ARKANSAS, (21-13) A team that only made the 20 win plateau with a barely above average showing in the worst conference tournament in America, and subsequently getting throttled by Florida in the Finals...
Stanford (18-12), not as much of an issue, as they have OOC victories over BobbyKnight Tech, and UVA, along with PAC-10 splits with UCLA and USC. But still, 18-12? Honestly...
Courtesy of teams like Butler and Nevada losing in their conference tourneys, and not receiving the automatic bids, we are left out. Instead we get a #2 seed... Yes, a #2 seed in the National Invitational Tournament...
Road to Cuse's NIT Final Four?
#1 Seeds: Air Force, WVU?, Mississippi St?, Clemson?
Somehow, Syracuse at 22-10 in the Big East isnt good enough for a #1 seed over WVU who we have a better in conference record on, Mississippi St. who was 18-12 in the SEC... and Clemson, 21-10 and winners of the choke-artist of the year award?
The Most Likely Path...
Round 1: Perennial Powerhouse Southern Alabama
Round 2: Always dangerous Missouri State
Round 3: Choking things better then Bobby Knight at the present: Clemson
Semifinals: Air Force or Huggy-Bear's K-State Squad
Finals: Florida State or OK State
Lets see if Jimmy can get the boys up for this one, maybe send the seniors out on a tournament win and get the rest of the crew ready to play for next year...
I can't remember, and I don't believe so, but today I will do my homework a touch and see if any other 22 win team with 10 conference wins has ever been snubbed by the selection committee before (I think we may be setting a precedent here). This is Bush League at its finest my friends...
Here's who DID make it:
A Villanova team which we split the season series with has made the tournament. They have the same record as the Orange, and a one game worse in-conference record, yet were able to go dancing.
Arkansas, ARKANSAS, (21-13) A team that only made the 20 win plateau with a barely above average showing in the worst conference tournament in America, and subsequently getting throttled by Florida in the Finals...
Stanford (18-12), not as much of an issue, as they have OOC victories over BobbyKnight Tech, and UVA, along with PAC-10 splits with UCLA and USC. But still, 18-12? Honestly...
Courtesy of teams like Butler and Nevada losing in their conference tourneys, and not receiving the automatic bids, we are left out. Instead we get a #2 seed... Yes, a #2 seed in the National Invitational Tournament...
Road to Cuse's NIT Final Four?
#1 Seeds: Air Force, WVU?, Mississippi St?, Clemson?
Somehow, Syracuse at 22-10 in the Big East isnt good enough for a #1 seed over WVU who we have a better in conference record on, Mississippi St. who was 18-12 in the SEC... and Clemson, 21-10 and winners of the choke-artist of the year award?
The Most Likely Path...
Round 1: Perennial Powerhouse Southern Alabama
Round 2: Always dangerous Missouri State
Round 3: Choking things better then Bobby Knight at the present: Clemson
Semifinals: Air Force or Huggy-Bear's K-State Squad
Finals: Florida State or OK State
Lets see if Jimmy can get the boys up for this one, maybe send the seniors out on a tournament win and get the rest of the crew ready to play for next year...
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