Hope for the New Season
Every sports season opens with hope. It's the season for hope all across the U.S. But is it too audacious to have hopes for a tournament berth in March? Here's a brief update on last night's opening game. It's a mixed review.
The bad news was terrible outside shooting. We went 5 for 24 against a short Lemoyne team, one that really didn't challenge most shots from beyond the arc. If we go 21% against Big East rivals, we aren't going very far this year. That's especially true if we have trouble working the ball inside to AO. AO should have dominated last night's game, but he really wasn't much of a factor. In addition, we had far too many unforced turnovers. It's easy to excuse sloppy play early in the season, as everyone is still rusty, but if we're throwing the ball away against Lemoyne, which really didn't pressure us much at all, what will happen against Memphis, or Virginia, or Pitt? And KO continues to make mistakes. His defense is more aggressive, but that often manifests itself in silly fouls, and he isn't scoring much at all. I'm thinking he will start most of the year, but play only a dozen or so minutes every game. In fact, if the freshmen come along, KO may ride the pine in 2009.
On the plus side of the ledger, Rautins led the team in assists. He threw the ball away a few times early in the first half, but then began connecting on his passes. Part of Rautins' problem may have been that his passes had so much zip on them, and were rarely telegraphed, while we are so accustomed to receiving softball tosses that are announced over the PA system, so everyone in the Dome knows they're coming. Another bright spot was the play of Rick Jackson, whose defense and rebounding were great. Very active, very aggressive. If he plays well, together with AO, we have 10 fouls to give inside.
The other bright spot was the team's depth. Boeheim used nine players regularly last night; with Rautins, Jackson and the two freshmen off the bench. We lost a few games last year when we simply ran out of gas late, but I don't think anyone will get worn out this year, barring injuries of course. And the two freshmen, Joseph and Jones, who looked pretty good at times, won't be thrown into the fire too soon. The team has a decent rotation without them, so hopefully, they won't feel the same degree of pressure, and won't be looking to make foolish plays just to make something happen.
Of course, beating Lemoyne is indicative of nothing much at all. Let's withhold judgment until next week, when the Orange play some prominent teams in the final rounds of this CBE tournament. Until then we have only unadorned hope, audacious hope, but not much more than that.
The bad news was terrible outside shooting. We went 5 for 24 against a short Lemoyne team, one that really didn't challenge most shots from beyond the arc. If we go 21% against Big East rivals, we aren't going very far this year. That's especially true if we have trouble working the ball inside to AO. AO should have dominated last night's game, but he really wasn't much of a factor. In addition, we had far too many unforced turnovers. It's easy to excuse sloppy play early in the season, as everyone is still rusty, but if we're throwing the ball away against Lemoyne, which really didn't pressure us much at all, what will happen against Memphis, or Virginia, or Pitt? And KO continues to make mistakes. His defense is more aggressive, but that often manifests itself in silly fouls, and he isn't scoring much at all. I'm thinking he will start most of the year, but play only a dozen or so minutes every game. In fact, if the freshmen come along, KO may ride the pine in 2009.
On the plus side of the ledger, Rautins led the team in assists. He threw the ball away a few times early in the first half, but then began connecting on his passes. Part of Rautins' problem may have been that his passes had so much zip on them, and were rarely telegraphed, while we are so accustomed to receiving softball tosses that are announced over the PA system, so everyone in the Dome knows they're coming. Another bright spot was the play of Rick Jackson, whose defense and rebounding were great. Very active, very aggressive. If he plays well, together with AO, we have 10 fouls to give inside.
The other bright spot was the team's depth. Boeheim used nine players regularly last night; with Rautins, Jackson and the two freshmen off the bench. We lost a few games last year when we simply ran out of gas late, but I don't think anyone will get worn out this year, barring injuries of course. And the two freshmen, Joseph and Jones, who looked pretty good at times, won't be thrown into the fire too soon. The team has a decent rotation without them, so hopefully, they won't feel the same degree of pressure, and won't be looking to make foolish plays just to make something happen.
Of course, beating Lemoyne is indicative of nothing much at all. Let's withhold judgment until next week, when the Orange play some prominent teams in the final rounds of this CBE tournament. Until then we have only unadorned hope, audacious hope, but not much more than that.
posted by pops | 1:50 PM
4 Comments:
Watched the Richmond game and came away encouraged. Typical 'cuse team that needs to learn to play 40 minutes and take care of the ball. But much better guard play and very good potential on the front line. In think this team will come together with its athletic ability and deep bench.
Also looking forward the starting team all comes back along with highly touted transfer and maturing freshman class.
If they beat Florida next week then we can get our hopes even higher.
BTW - What is the CBE stand for in this bball tournament?
G-man
Stands for college basketball experience. whatever that means. I think there is a fundraising effort somewhere in the background.
Good and bad last night. I'm worried that this team will live and die with its three point shooting. But we should have enough shooters so that if someone is off (e.g., rautins), someone else can pick up the slack(e.g., devo).
I'm also worried that the 2-3 zone is not up to the level of past successful teams. With a deeper team, we can play more man this year, but Richmond got some easy baskets inside off the man, and Richmond isn't nearly as good as the Big East teams we'll be playing before long.
You're right that next week will tell us more.
Just a quick comment prior to your next posting.
WOW where did this 'Cuse BB Team come from?
The last two nights they look better than any time since Melo took them to the promised land.
If they can maintain this intensity through the season we are in for an enjoyable season.
Happy T-giving,
G-man
In Barack's time, it's all about hope. Am I right?
Post a Comment
<< Home