We’re Number 18.5

I like the ranking. No way this team should be in the top five, or even the top ten. They’re way too inconsistent, and they struggle too much offensively. Plus, I want them to feel disrespected. I want them to go into the post-season with something to prove. I want them to be motivated.

Tonight Danny and I watched the Cuse come back from a stagnant first half, overcome a six point deficit late in the first half, and end up beating a good West Virginia team by double digits. The Orange out rebounded the Mountaineers, even though it seemed like they were giving up a lot of second chance baskets. And they played great D in the second half, holding West Virginia to 22 points after intermission. In fact, even though W. Va. shot fifty percent from three-point range, hitting eleven of twenty-two, they could only muster six baskets within the arc, thanks to an active zone that disrupted many of the Mountaineers’ interior passes. Cuse had thirteen steals on the night, many of them leading to fast break opportunities.

And even though the offense was out of sorts in the first half, they scored enough after intermission to pull away. Foul shooting was not great, and there were several fast break opportunities that they failed to capitalize on. Guys missed some lay-ups, or seemed to wait too long before giving up the ball. But with the D holding West Virginia to just over fifty, the offense didn’t have to be spectacular – just good enough.

Every Big East game is a struggle, and this was no exception. West Virginia pushed the Orange around in the lane, made it hard for Jackson to score down low, and played an aggressive man defense all night. But their guard play was as good as it’s been over the last couple months. Triche led the scoring, and played with confidence all night. Scoop was aggravating, turning the ball over too often, and shooting poorly from the outside, but in the end, he made enough good plays to make up for all that. I especially liked his no look pass to Jackson underneath – a second half dunk that energized the crowd and the team.

So on Valentine’s Day, Danny and I had a good time at the Dome. No one had to buy flowers or chocolates. And the Cuse came away with a nice win. Let’s hope we see more of those over the next couple weeks leading up to the Big East Tournament. I don’t see this team going deep into the post-season, but they have enough talent to surprise folks, if they keep their game together. And can the tournament be any tougher than the Big East Schedule? I don’t think so. Go Orange.