Are We Still Number One?
I have come to the conclusion that I don't like this number one business. It's an additional burden which the Orange don't need, and if anything, it's a disincentive for playing hard and smart. How many turnovers will Cuse commit in the tournament? We all know that the team can dominate when they protect the ball. But will number one lead to complacency, which will then lead to turnovers? Conversely, how many loose balls will we get to? I guess I like it better when the team has a chip on its shoulder; when they feel that no one respects them and they have something to prove. Like early in the season, when they came into Madison Square Garden unranked, and demolished two ranked teams. I hope the coach has hung that Kansas column in the locker room -- the one that called the Orange a fraud. I'd like to know what Kansas' record would have been if they had played in the Big East all season. Think they'd have only two losses going into the tournament?
In terms of the bracket, Cuse could have drawn an easier first round match, but maybe it's a good thing to play a team that embarrassed the program a few years ago. And the sibling rivalry between the Joseph brothers will give the game some additional spark. I also like that Pitt is the Big East rival in the bracket as opposed to say, Georgetown, or one of the other teams we embarrassed during the regular season.
Joe Lunardi, who's supposed to know what he's talking about, as opposed to me, who knows nothing, picks Cuse for the Final Four. That's nice. But what's really nice is that he claims AO will be fine. Now I would figure that a guy like Lunardi would have sources, and would have some basis for opining that AO will play. If that's the case, then that's better news than a number one seed, or being picked by a bunch of pundits. I figure there will be plenty of Orange in the stands this weekend -- Buffalo being just down the Thruway. So a home town atmosphere and a healthy AO will help.
Another thing I like is playing out West. I seem to recall that Cuse made it to the Final Four in 96 through the west, and although K-State could send fans over the Rockies into Salt Lake City, unless BYU makes it to the regional finals, there shouldn't be much of a home court advantage for anyone.
The season ended on an ignominious note. After running away from teams in the second half, all season long, the Orange had consecutive games where they collapsed in the second half. Turnovers, bad shooting, porous defense, the works. Let's hope they got all that out of their system; that AO heals up; and that they play well over next couple weekends. It would be nice to be talking basketball at the First Seder.
In terms of the bracket, Cuse could have drawn an easier first round match, but maybe it's a good thing to play a team that embarrassed the program a few years ago. And the sibling rivalry between the Joseph brothers will give the game some additional spark. I also like that Pitt is the Big East rival in the bracket as opposed to say, Georgetown, or one of the other teams we embarrassed during the regular season.
Joe Lunardi, who's supposed to know what he's talking about, as opposed to me, who knows nothing, picks Cuse for the Final Four. That's nice. But what's really nice is that he claims AO will be fine. Now I would figure that a guy like Lunardi would have sources, and would have some basis for opining that AO will play. If that's the case, then that's better news than a number one seed, or being picked by a bunch of pundits. I figure there will be plenty of Orange in the stands this weekend -- Buffalo being just down the Thruway. So a home town atmosphere and a healthy AO will help.
Another thing I like is playing out West. I seem to recall that Cuse made it to the Final Four in 96 through the west, and although K-State could send fans over the Rockies into Salt Lake City, unless BYU makes it to the regional finals, there shouldn't be much of a home court advantage for anyone.
The season ended on an ignominious note. After running away from teams in the second half, all season long, the Orange had consecutive games where they collapsed in the second half. Turnovers, bad shooting, porous defense, the works. Let's hope they got all that out of their system; that AO heals up; and that they play well over next couple weekends. It would be nice to be talking basketball at the First Seder.
posted by pops | 3:39 PM
2 Comments:
Remember this tag line from the Blow Brothers Porta Johns, "We are number 1 in the number 2 business". Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
I have been analyzing the NCAA in preparation of my head-to-head competition with my frat brother Larry for almost 30 years. I go to great lengths to figure out who win this thing by searching out lots of stats and pundits. I also track the sources success of predictions. My conclusion is the NCAA seedings and Sheridan Odds are very reliable. Based on this year the 'Cuse should be in the FF. These sources take into account recent play and injuries. The 'Cuse actually had a very good draw with relatively weak seeds at 2, 3, and 4. Don't worry about the location. None will be unfriendly and 'Cuse is one of the only teams in the West used to playing in large areas. I don't think Pitt makes it to the final game.
This all leads me to expect the 'Cuse to reach Sweet 16, Elite 8 and if they get to FF we all be very satisfied with a huge surprise of a season.
Go Orange!
Go 'Cuse
This is the best time of year for sports fans.
G-man
Yeah we are still number 1!
Although, beware of the 3 point offense. Cuse built season on balanced attack inside/outside. Without AO this is not as potent and with a larger/tougher Zag team they will depend on the 3.
Let's hope that they see the basket as well Sunday as they did last night. Get by Zags and I like their chances to get to Elite 8 and FF. This could be biggest test.
Go 'Cuse.
G-man
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