Eating My Words
Chomp. Chomp. Chomp. That's the sound of me eating my words. Last night, as the Orange thoroughly dominated Michigan State, I could not believe I was watching the same team that barely squeaked by William & Mary. Or the team that scored only 34 points in the final 30 minutes against NC State. They did not look overrated. They looked like they could play with anyone.
Perhaps it was the zone, which seems to be improving with each game. So if the defense can keep teams from scoring 60 points, even teams from major conferences, even Big East teams, that will make it easier for the Orange to win games. Or perhaps it was the mystique of playing in the Garden. Cuse always seems to play well in the Garden -- their home away from home. Or maybe what we'll see as the season progresses is that the Orange will play to the level of their competition. Let's see how things go Saturday night against Colgate; will the Orange keep it close, or will we finally see a blow-out this year? Or maybe it was the fact that they kept the turnovers down.
Who knows? But whatever the reason, they have probably locked up that top ten ranking until the conference season begins. We'll see in a couple months whether that's a good thing or not.
Perhaps it was the zone, which seems to be improving with each game. So if the defense can keep teams from scoring 60 points, even teams from major conferences, even Big East teams, that will make it easier for the Orange to win games. Or perhaps it was the mystique of playing in the Garden. Cuse always seems to play well in the Garden -- their home away from home. Or maybe what we'll see as the season progresses is that the Orange will play to the level of their competition. Let's see how things go Saturday night against Colgate; will the Orange keep it close, or will we finally see a blow-out this year? Or maybe it was the fact that they kept the turnovers down.
Who knows? But whatever the reason, they have probably locked up that top ten ranking until the conference season begins. We'll see in a couple months whether that's a good thing or not.
posted by pops | 9:01 AM
3 Comments:
Berg,
I was going to comment on your previous posting but you have updated the condition the is 'Clockwork Orange'.
I was surprised as well. It seems that they are getting better each game and in time to beat their next opponent.
Surprised:
1 - how a relatively young team is maturing and they will need to when BE schedule begins. The top teams all have a lot of experience.
2 - When can you remember a Cuse team that won the the game on the foul line with 22 out of 29. This year our shot takers appear to be good at the charity stripe. What a weapon.
3 - This combined with a zone that is keeping the Cuse out of foul trouble. This may be the longest zone we have seen and it will only get better.
4 - The emergence of Senior Jackson who looks like he is playing into a first round NBA.
player.
5 - Finally we are playing 8 which is better than 6. Melo who is a starter is actually getting less minutes Keita and Waiters. Let's see how this shakes out.
Surprised but happy we may have another great season. The BE schedule will determine the strength of the Cuse it always does.
BTW - The game was of course part of the Jimmy V Foundation. The story I heard last night that Pitano made a bid/donation for a Calhoun tie if Boeheim would wear it last night. It all happened and Boeheim wore the ugly tie in a beautiful win.
G-man
OK, and the game left me feeling more optimistic, too, but I'll feel more comfortable when we can get consistently dangerous from the outside. Come on freshmen, there is potential glory waiting for you...
Chipper
G-Man,
I’m late in replying to your comment. I agree with all your observations, and maybe I have been too pessimistic. I’m just worried that the lack of outside shooting is going to catch up with them once the Big East schedule begins.But you are right about the D, and about Rick Jackson. He’s been dynamite on the boards. And if the freshmen begin to contribute, then maybe we have a chance to play in March.
Post a Comment
<< Home