The Birth of a Final Four Contender. This is the first time I got a chance to see Syracuse actually play since I was in India the past 4 months. I'm used to seeing 13- 3 Syracuse teams becuase they always play well int he first part of the season and then fade badly in Big East play. But this time I was amazed at the talent level this Syracuse team plays. Anybody who hasn't seen these guys play really should. They are damned good and if Pitt is the #2 team in the Land then these guys are definatly top 10. Perhaps we are looking at our first legit Darkhorse?
The 'Cuse is definately for real. I've been telling people to keep an eye on them, because by March they will be dangerous. They are an extremely young team(3 FR, 3 SO. 1 JR, and 1 SR in the 8 man rotation) but this is the most talented team SU has had since the days of Owens, Coleman, and Douglas. They are capable of beating anyone in the country. But due to thier inexperience they are also capable of losing to almost anyone in the land(see Rutgers). I'm really excited to see what they can do in the tourny. But first things first, G'town next on Monday. GO 'CUSE
I've been following Syracuse forever and I agree that this is definatly one of the most talented teams in a long time. It comes from having two straight top 10 recruiting classes, one of them in the top 5. But I hesitate when predicting Tournament success because outside the 2 Michigan teams, freshman dont get to the final four. G'Town should be fun as the beast of the east, Mike Sweetney rolls in.
It was quite a weekend here in the 'cuse. The team has looked strong all year - freshman Gerry McNamara has been the surprise of the year. He got the starting point guard job after the bogus suspension of Billy Edelin and has impressed. Now if we can get the rust off of Billy we will really be ready come tourney time.
the orange are a final four contender, 2004 final four contender. they are too inconsistent. how quickly we forget that they lost to rutgers on wednesday.
This is so true. Although this year's team has a lot of talent, SU still lacks a true go to/clutch person that we can count on in those close March games. For example, if we think back to 1996 (when SU made it to the final v. Kentucky), John Wallace provided the leadership and clutch shots. This year's crop of players (at this time in the season anyeay) really lacks that type of person. Carmelo you say? Well, he is a great talent, but still lacks the skill and experience to be able to put up 25 in a game when everyone is focusing on him. Look how his production has dropped off in conference play. McNamara? Not yet, as this recent three game shooting slump has shown. Duany? The senior leader is far too inconsistent. One game he will look like an All-American, putting up 20 points, 10 rebounds, and be a defensive stud. The next game, he only scores 2, and disappears for the game. Warrick? Maybe he is the person that will evolve as the clutch player, but he is young as well, and his scoring goes up and down as well. This team has me really excited, as I can see them making a long run in the tournament in March.....but I'm also afraid, because I can see them having a bad shooting game and losing in their first game. isaac101 Syracuse Grad, Class of '96
I think the Cuse is a nice nice team from what I have seen. My question though, is who have they played? Better yet, on the road? I think they are a bit overrated. Their games include: Home: Memphis, Valpo, Colgate, Cornell, UNC Greensboro, Binghamton, Georgia Tech, Albany, Canisius, Mizzou, Seton Hall, Pitt,BC, Away: @Seton Hall, @Pitt, @miami, @Rutgers That is one hell of a weak nonconference schedule. Very little, if any road games. The Big East is a very good conference this year (probably 3rd best), but I can't see the Cuse going to the Final Four. I think they are clearly Sweet 16 and possibly great 8. They are young so they could also lose their first game.
They are taking a trip to the Izzone @ Michigan St this February, one of the toughest outs in the Nation. the loss @ Rutgers isn't as bad as it seems as rutgers has the toughest home court in the Big East. And they were beating GTech by like 30 at half and Mizzou was #11 in thye country when they played Cuse. Yes they are a shooting team but they have learned to win without shooting well. As they did @ Miami, and vs Pitt. They have a point who can slash and pass and shoot, (2 of them once Edelin starts coming around), one of the best forward combos in the country with Warrick and Anthony, size down low, and when active, a very good defense. The only they lack is experience.
They haven't even made it into the top 25 in both polls this year... I don't think they are too highly rated by most folks.
Just because a team has freshman doesn't mean they can't get to the final four. In today's game anyone can beat anyone. The best team in the country, at the moment, is Florida. And they have a bunch of freshman too. Truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised what Syracuse does this year, win the national championship or go out in the first round. They have the potential for both. And their is not a single team in the country that they can't beat, Arizona included. The rest of the country is just as inconsistent as the Orange. So buckle down for a crazy tournament come March.
Hello Billy Edelin. Hello Big East-West Title. Hello Big East Championship. Hello Final Four. If they can consistently play like the way they did tonight then there isn't a team in the nation that can hold them under 80.
Don't get ahead of yourself yet. The Big East West division title is still going to be tough. If the 'Cuse wins at WVU and ND beats Pitt then there will be a 3-way tie for first place. I feel SU has a good shot at winning both ND games(we always play well against ND) to seperate from ND in the standing. But that Rutgers loss hurts, they can't be losing to anymore bad teams if they really want to win the BE West title. My prediction is this: 1. Pitt 2. SU 3. ND
I'll give you the BE W as Pitt is a game ahead...but n arguement againt the important Conference Tournament and my Final 4 prediction?