We're Not Number One
The Orange perch atop the rankings was short-lived. After yesterday's loss at Louisville, in the final game at Freedom Hall, Cuse will fall several notches in the polls, which really isn't such a bad thing. If this is a team whose toughest opponent is themselves, they need to play with far more focus and intensity than they displayed yesterday afternoon. Fewer turnovers, better free-throw shooting, and a better job finishing around the rim.
There are a number of ways to look at that game. Most important perspective is that in every round of the tournament, a couple kids are going to have the games of their lives. Just like Louisville's Kuric, who came off the bench to score a career best, and who hit 4 of 6 threes in the process, all through the tournament kids are going to do the same. The trick for the Orange is to play well enough to weather those surprises.
One way to do that is to shoot better. If Rautins doesn't go 1 for 8, the Orange are in that game. But then again, maybe we'll have tournament games where Rautins and Johnson can't buy any threes. So then a second way to hang on is to protect the ball better. If Cuse cut down on the turnovers in the second half, they'd still have been in the game. I can think of two plays, right off the top of my head, where Jackson didn't protect the ball and his turnovers led to quick Louisville buckets. That's an eight point swing right there. Cuse looked so dominant against Nova because for thirty minutes they committed only two turnovers. They really didn't shoot that well last week, but because they kept the turnovers down to almost zero, and made most possessions count, the game ended up lopsided in favor of the Orange.
Better free throw shooting is also a key. In close games this year, the Orange were consistent from the line. Remember that they stayed in the six-overtime game because their free throw shooting was unconscious in the overtime periods. But all through the second half yesterday they missed key free throws. How about making layups? How many layups did they fail to convert? In the final game at the dome the other night, they played uninspired ball, with the exception of AO, yet managed to beat a St. John's team that looked in disarray. Louisville is far more talented, was playing in an emotional setting, with many of their alums in the stands, and in all likelihood, was playing for a tournament berth. So the same lackluster play resulted in a loss.
But if this loss convinces the team that they need to be on for every game now, then the loss wasn't such a bad thing. It was nice to be number one, but it doesn't mean anything once the tourney starts. Just like the number one seed that Joe Lunardi still predicts. That really doesn't mean much either. If the seeds play out, numbers one and two meet in the regional finals, so there really is little difference between a one and a two. And there's no way they get anything less than a two at this point.
Next game is in the Garden, where Cuse has played so well the past few years. Let's hope they return to form. And oh, by the way, you can change your shirts and socks now. That didn't seem to do anything, did it?
There are a number of ways to look at that game. Most important perspective is that in every round of the tournament, a couple kids are going to have the games of their lives. Just like Louisville's Kuric, who came off the bench to score a career best, and who hit 4 of 6 threes in the process, all through the tournament kids are going to do the same. The trick for the Orange is to play well enough to weather those surprises.
One way to do that is to shoot better. If Rautins doesn't go 1 for 8, the Orange are in that game. But then again, maybe we'll have tournament games where Rautins and Johnson can't buy any threes. So then a second way to hang on is to protect the ball better. If Cuse cut down on the turnovers in the second half, they'd still have been in the game. I can think of two plays, right off the top of my head, where Jackson didn't protect the ball and his turnovers led to quick Louisville buckets. That's an eight point swing right there. Cuse looked so dominant against Nova because for thirty minutes they committed only two turnovers. They really didn't shoot that well last week, but because they kept the turnovers down to almost zero, and made most possessions count, the game ended up lopsided in favor of the Orange.
Better free throw shooting is also a key. In close games this year, the Orange were consistent from the line. Remember that they stayed in the six-overtime game because their free throw shooting was unconscious in the overtime periods. But all through the second half yesterday they missed key free throws. How about making layups? How many layups did they fail to convert? In the final game at the dome the other night, they played uninspired ball, with the exception of AO, yet managed to beat a St. John's team that looked in disarray. Louisville is far more talented, was playing in an emotional setting, with many of their alums in the stands, and in all likelihood, was playing for a tournament berth. So the same lackluster play resulted in a loss.
But if this loss convinces the team that they need to be on for every game now, then the loss wasn't such a bad thing. It was nice to be number one, but it doesn't mean anything once the tourney starts. Just like the number one seed that Joe Lunardi still predicts. That really doesn't mean much either. If the seeds play out, numbers one and two meet in the regional finals, so there really is little difference between a one and a two. And there's no way they get anything less than a two at this point.
Next game is in the Garden, where Cuse has played so well the past few years. Let's hope they return to form. And oh, by the way, you can change your shirts and socks now. That didn't seem to do anything, did it?
posted by pops | 3:38 PM
2 Comments:
One potential bright spot: while Wes Johnson shot only 6-15 from the field, he did score 18 points and he is reportedly in less pain. As losses go, This might have not been such a bad thing - perhaps better not to be ranked number one.
Chipper
It really doesn't matter if the Cuse is number 1 or 4 in the stupid polls which are generally about popularity, politics and straight W/L records.
What matters is their body of work and this year the RPI, SOS and W/L record all favor the Cuse. So they will be a number 1 seed and it does not matter that much if they are the number one '1' or number four '1'.
Having said that David's comments are the most pertinent. Which Cuse will show up for the dance? Put aside the bad performance in Louisville. Even though Vegas had it close to even it wasn't, we insiders knew Patino would have his team ski high. He was not going to be the coach who let a visiting team beat them in their last game in that arena and potentially kept them out of the NCAA's. Added incentive the team happened to be Number 1. It was an essentially win or done game for L'ville. They played with more intensity and launched 40-3 point shots. Most days that game plan will not work on Saturday it did.
So now Cuse puts the game aside. It would be nice if the won their opening game on Thursday (probably against G-town)but again not crucial. Those play-in teams need to win to avoid being left off Dance Card. The Cuse needs to rest and practice.
The expectation is they should make it to Sweet 16 and Elite 8. I don't think they have this years version of Melo on their team and KY and Kansas do. So they would have to play very good basketball to make FF.
No matter what they have given us a great and unexpected season. Boeheim will get Coach of the Year.
G-man
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