Orange at Altitude - Way up in the Rankings

It’s time to begin posting about the Orange. Any moment now, in fact perhaps before this posting gets uploaded, Cuse will find itself close to the top of the rankings. They were already as high as four or five, and with two of the top five teams losing last week,  I expect them to end up ranked as high as number two. (Rankings just came out, and they are no. 2 in the AP poll, and third in the coaches poll.) Too high, really. This team is playing well, and shows promise, but number two or three in the country? 

So what do we like about this year’s team.  First of all, scoring balance: three different guys have led the team in scoring during the first nine games: Fair, Cooney and Ennis, all of whom, along with Jerami Grant, are averaging in double figures. Plus, several more have scored in double figures at one time or another. This is clearly CJ Fair’s team, but if Cooney continues his hot three-point shooting, he could just as easily end up the scoring leader for the Orange this year. And with the team as a whole shooting over 36% from beyond the arc, and with turnovers being kept low (see below),  this team might overcome the offensive woes that ended up plaguing the Orange last year. 

That’s a good thing, because although the zone is improving, I don’t think it will be quite as stifling as it has been over the past couple seasons. One difference is that the guards are not as tall, and will not present as much of an obstacle at the top of the zone, as did Triche and MCW. Plus the young guys are not quite as adept at playing the 2-3. Now that may improve as the season wears on;  but for now, I’m glad they are hitting from the outside, and scoring enough to overcome any defensive lapses. 

Last year, when Carter-Williams was racking up double digit assist numbers in all the early games, he was drawing media attention from all over. But I think one of Ennis’ statistics is even more impressive, and perhaps more responsible for the hot start to this season: I’m talking about his turnover numbers. In nine games this fall, freshman point guard Tyler Ennis has a total of nine turnovers. In case anyone is having trouble with the math,  that averages out to a single turnover per game. Eliminating turnovers gives the Cuse more possessions, and quite obviously, more scoring opportunities. But in addition, it reduces the number of run-outs against the Orange, thus reducing easy scoring opportunities for the opposition. 

Another thing I like about the team is Grant coming off the bench. He could be as talented as anyone on this team, and if he masters his outside shot (easier said than done), he could end up playing at the next level. But for now, even without a dependable jumper, he is instant energy – rebounding, getting put-backs, blocking shots -- and he typically gives the Cuse a lift when he comes in.  

Having said all that, one problem the Cuse  might face as the season wears on, especially once the conference schedule begins, is the lack of a true back-up point guard. Cooney and Gbinije have managed to fill in so far, but what happens if Ennis finds himself in foul trouble against, say, Duke or UNC? Let’s hope we don’t have to find that out, or at least don’t have to worry about it too often. 

There are clearly more talented teams playing this year, but if these guys continue to shoot, as the 2-3 zone improves during the season, they might have another opportunity to play deep into the tournament come March. Wouldn’t that be nice?  So with that thought in mind, let’s just leave it at: Go Orange!