Ugly Times Two
It would be comforting to think that coming all the way back from a seventeen point deficit, that playing hard all through the second half, showed that this year's team has heart. And it would be nice to think that last night's loss to Cincinnati was a wake-up call, ensuring that the team will be ready for the NCAAs less than a week from now. But I'm not so sure. I think there were some very disturbing signs of trouble ahead.
First of all, where was the senior leadership? The Orange were playing in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a conference tournament, in Madison Square Garden, and in front of a national TV audience. One would assume that the seniors could be depended on to steady the team, or to pick up the slack when others wilted in the Garden's bright lights. Unfortunately, nothing of the kind happened. Kris Joseph went 3 for 14 for the two nights, and even though he managed double figures against UConn, he was hardly instrumental in that win. Last night, he was a non-factor. It was worse for Scoop Jardine, who did nothing against UConn, and not much more against Cincy. Jardine did hit two threes last night, but that was the extent of his scoring. Worse, he had five turnovers, one more than the entire team did a night earlier. And in the second half, when the team began mounting a comeback, and Cincinnati's threes finally stopped falling, Joseph and Jardine both committed bonehead plays on more than one occasion. They played as one would expect the underclassmen to play -- throwing the ball away, dribbling into traffic and giving up steals.
When they fell behind by seventeen last night, I thought back to 2003, and the Oklahoma State game. That one started off just like last night, with the Orange ice cold, and Oklahoma State running out to a big lead. But in 2003, once the Orange righted the ship, once they began to play well, they dominated the rest of the game, in the end, running away from the Cowboys. Last night that never happened. Late in the first half, they finally started to get some stops, but on three consecutive possessions, could not convert. They threw up bad shots, or tossed the ball away. And in the second half, even though the defense played better, they kept giving the Bearcats second and third chances by surrendering offensive rebounds. And even though they kept chipping away at the lead, there was never a stretch when they played well at both ends of the court, and ran off a string of consecutive points. I admit that they played hard in the second half, and maybe if they had played that hard for forty minutes there would have been a better outcome. Of course, if they had hit their foul shots, or hadn't committed all the turnovers, or maybe if someone else, aside from Waiters had hit some threes.... but what good is all that? If Perkins hadn't hurt his knee.... if AO hadn't gotten injured.... But the problem is that those things happen, and if they want to play deep into the coming tournament, they need to find a way to succeed, even when that stuff happens.
OK. So in 2003, the Orange got bounced out of the Big East tournament in the semis by UConn. UConn's guards ate up the zone that night, and the Cuse looked like anything but a championship team. And one thing we know for sure, is that all the Big East coaches know the 2-3, and know how to beat the 2-3. This year's Big East tourney has been a string of upsets, with a four-seed now playing a seven for the championship. I'm hoping it's different in the NCAAs; and I'm hoping that, just like 2003, the team learns from this loss, and comes into the tournament with something to prove. If that's the case, then this ugly loss last night will have served a useful purpose. Not to mention that we won't even remember much about the game a month from now. Wouldn't that be nice?
So let's tune in tomorrow evening and see where the Cuse will be playing, and who's in their bracket. And let's hope that when the tournament opens, they have a chip on their shoulder, and come to play, for forty minutes each night. Go Orange.
First of all, where was the senior leadership? The Orange were playing in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a conference tournament, in Madison Square Garden, and in front of a national TV audience. One would assume that the seniors could be depended on to steady the team, or to pick up the slack when others wilted in the Garden's bright lights. Unfortunately, nothing of the kind happened. Kris Joseph went 3 for 14 for the two nights, and even though he managed double figures against UConn, he was hardly instrumental in that win. Last night, he was a non-factor. It was worse for Scoop Jardine, who did nothing against UConn, and not much more against Cincy. Jardine did hit two threes last night, but that was the extent of his scoring. Worse, he had five turnovers, one more than the entire team did a night earlier. And in the second half, when the team began mounting a comeback, and Cincinnati's threes finally stopped falling, Joseph and Jardine both committed bonehead plays on more than one occasion. They played as one would expect the underclassmen to play -- throwing the ball away, dribbling into traffic and giving up steals.
When they fell behind by seventeen last night, I thought back to 2003, and the Oklahoma State game. That one started off just like last night, with the Orange ice cold, and Oklahoma State running out to a big lead. But in 2003, once the Orange righted the ship, once they began to play well, they dominated the rest of the game, in the end, running away from the Cowboys. Last night that never happened. Late in the first half, they finally started to get some stops, but on three consecutive possessions, could not convert. They threw up bad shots, or tossed the ball away. And in the second half, even though the defense played better, they kept giving the Bearcats second and third chances by surrendering offensive rebounds. And even though they kept chipping away at the lead, there was never a stretch when they played well at both ends of the court, and ran off a string of consecutive points. I admit that they played hard in the second half, and maybe if they had played that hard for forty minutes there would have been a better outcome. Of course, if they had hit their foul shots, or hadn't committed all the turnovers, or maybe if someone else, aside from Waiters had hit some threes.... but what good is all that? If Perkins hadn't hurt his knee.... if AO hadn't gotten injured.... But the problem is that those things happen, and if they want to play deep into the coming tournament, they need to find a way to succeed, even when that stuff happens.
OK. So in 2003, the Orange got bounced out of the Big East tournament in the semis by UConn. UConn's guards ate up the zone that night, and the Cuse looked like anything but a championship team. And one thing we know for sure, is that all the Big East coaches know the 2-3, and know how to beat the 2-3. This year's Big East tourney has been a string of upsets, with a four-seed now playing a seven for the championship. I'm hoping it's different in the NCAAs; and I'm hoping that, just like 2003, the team learns from this loss, and comes into the tournament with something to prove. If that's the case, then this ugly loss last night will have served a useful purpose. Not to mention that we won't even remember much about the game a month from now. Wouldn't that be nice?
So let's tune in tomorrow evening and see where the Cuse will be playing, and who's in their bracket. And let's hope that when the tournament opens, they have a chip on their shoulder, and come to play, for forty minutes each night. Go Orange.
posted by pops | 1:44 PM
4 Comments:
I have had an unsettled feeling about this team for the past couple of weeks - too many close games and while they have many weapons, it's been a month since they really dominated an opponent throughout the game. Other concern is the strength, or rather the lack of strength of the Big East. But, we will see...
Go Orange, indeed!
Chipper
Boys,
Come down off the ledge.
David you have been predicting and maybe hoping for this outcome since January. Your evaluation of Friday's game is spot on but it is one game.
Chipper like most of us we have unsettled feeling about our Cuse each game and each season. Close games are the norm in the BE and most conferences. Friday and Saturday games in the conference tournaments were a mirror of the BE. Even mighty KY and NC had their scares and easily could have lost on the last shot.. KS and Duke lost. So 3 teams (including Cuse) in the top 6 lost their semi-final game. The BE is strong with probably 10 teams going to the NCAA. I believe there is incredible balance this season. The fact the Cuse only lost one game on the road without Melo is a quite an accomplishment.
So boys I, like you, am always unsettled with the hope our Orange will do well and at least end up in the FF in NO. I will be disappointed if they do not get to the Elite 8.
I think the Cuse like other teams took its eye off the ball in the semi final game. Sure they wanted to win but the are tired of playing other BE teams that have seen and studied the zone for years. They were looking to selection Sunday and their first game in Pittsburgh.
Yeah that is my prediction (and other bracket builders). A number one seed starting in Pittsburgh and then the regional weekend in Boston. My reality check after watching parts of several games this week is the Cuse is not the second best team in the country. They are probably sit in the 3-6 range which I will take. But they may have the best defense and do have the deepest bench. This will bode well in close games and on nights when the seniors disappear.
Go Cuse!!!
G-man
G-Man,
I can’t argue with anything you say, but at the same time, I can’t quite let go of my misgivings. Having said all that, I’m hoping the loss was, in the long run, good for them. If nothing else, it was a reminder that they will have to play hard for forty minutes. And if they do that, even on nights when their shots don’t fall, their D will keep them in games.
Tune in later.
Berg, I think you're right, they will have to play hard for forty minutes. Alot of running and more defensive pressure, please.
It's great being a fan, here's to a successful March!
Go Orange!
Chipper
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