Jay, go back to Bristol and tell Gottlieb he's a douche and he's wrong.

After an amazing couple of games Syracuse has successfully gone from being on the bubble to being included in the field of 65 playing in March. There have been a lot of great moments and stories from the past few games as well. I’ll try to capture an adequate picture of the last two contests, while putting it into context for what this means for the Orange heading into Madison Square Garden.

First, we will journey back to Saturday afternoon in a cold but inviting city of Providence, Rhode Island. I decided on a whim on the previous Thursday to make the drive with my good friend Jimmy to Providence to see what promised to be a make-or-break game for either team. I was not disappointed.

Andy Rautins had a career high game against Providence. He reminded me of Gerry McNamara hitting anything he threw from behind the arc, no matter how deep. In a game when we had a big lead and then let Herbert Hill own us, we played well and hit shots and free throws down the stretch. Something this team has not done well most of this season.

I’d never been to The Dunk before and it was a fun place to see a game. This game was even better because it was two Big East teams battling for a fairly important win. Neither teams would have been completely done with a loss, but it was pretty important. Syracuse managed to gut out a nice win down the stretch led by Rautins. Nichols and Watkins also played very well, with Watkins earning 11 points and 13 rebounds.

What Syracuse didn’t do so well was by all accounts what should have lost the game for us, as it has all season. The team had more turnovers (16 to 14) led by Devendorf’s six, were out rebounded, and shot worse from the free throw line. The difference was our field goad percentage, three point percentage, and hitting key shots when we needed to (Not getting called for a foul while Mookie slaps a guy in the face helps too. Thanks Timmy).

Then we come to Big Monday. It’s a pretty ominous task playing the first place team in the Big East, not to mention that it is your rival who happens to be ranked #10/9. Not to mention that Syracuse is still not considered an NCAA Tournament team yet. The team responded on Senior Night.

Thanks seniors!

I’ll start with what Syracuse did poorly. The team was again out rebounded. When their dominant rebounder, Roy Hibbert, only plays 20 minutes I expect the team to get the rebounding edge. While we pulled down many rebounds at key moments, overall we did not pull down more than the other team.

Once again another poor night from the free throw line, only managing 60% (15-25). In the Big East tournament, as well as the NCAA Tournament, converting free throws are key to winning and/or staying ahead down the stretch. I hope the boys are practicing them this week because we need to be on the ball before arriving in NYC.

Everything else was as good as gold for the Orange. The key to Syracuse’s victory was the famed 2-3 Zone of Boeheim. The team didn’t allow free looks in the paint as they have before. They looked active, sharp, and moved cohesively as a unit, virtually rendering Hibbert a non-factor in this game. We held them to 58 points, which is over 10 points less than their season average of 68.6ppg. The defense was the difference and it was probably the best defense they have played all season. One of the keys to the NCAA, as well as the Big East Tournament is peaking at the right time in your season. I submit that we are peaking at the perfect time.

To borrow a popular Orange Blogisphere phrase, “I love me some Andy Rautins!” Once again the kid looked great out there. Leo who? Despite earlier criticism that he lacked a great shooting touch, he just got a scholarship because of his dad, and that he turned out to be a dud, Andy has turned out to be a quality addition to the Orange lineup. This backs up my earlier argument that we needed one additional outside shooting threat to allow Nichols to play his game and contribute consistently. Once again, I am awesome.

We limited our turnovers to 13, as compared to Georgetown’s 19. The key stat within the stat however is gaining 25 points off those G’Town turnovers. Money in the bucket.

Devendorf, despite several stupid turnovers and bad passes, decided to play excellent point guard finally. Gaining 11 assists, he managed to set up several shots for Nichols and Rautins, as well as orchestrate several fast breaks. Simply fun to watch.

Hero of the day is of course Demetris Nichols. 22 points, going 4-8 on 3 point field goals, and a solid case for Big East Player of the Year. I almost fell out of my chair when he hit the fade away three with about four minutes remaining in the game and one second on the shot clock. This is Syracuse Basketball that we all love and wish we could always see. Nichols deserved all the accolades he received last night as he put in a superior shooting effort on Senior Night. He will be missed.

I know many have debated the Court Storming point on this and other notebooks, therefore I am compelled to give my opinion on this. After all, it is my name to the right on this blog so I feel entitled. I am usually not one for court storming, but I have to say I am pretty alright with this one. As I explained to my friends last night, this was a huge game against the #10/9 team in the nation, who is first in the conference, a major rival, and if beaten will in all likelihood lock up an NCAA Tournament bid on Senior Night. Granted it fails the Matt Glaude test, but I’m willing to look the other way. I guess you can call this the dissenting opinion on the decision by the Chief Justice here at Orange::44. I submit that a balancing test is needed, rathr than the bright line rule established by Justice Glaude. Also, Matt, what is your criteria for storming the football field. And if there are any, are pants forbidden? “I’ve got to be on the field.”

All in all, a solid couple of basketball games for the Orange that all but has the entire city of Syracuse getting out their dancing shoes and catching March Madness. ESPN currently lists us as a possible 9 or 10 seed. Seth Davis at Sports Illustrated says we still need one more win to be in, and I hear Doug Gottlieb is in Bristol, CT crying his eyes out. Everyone agrees that our resume was vastly improved by the win over Georgetown. It was a pleasure to finally watch the Syracuse team that we were promised at the start of the year. Everything seems to be coming up Millhouse… or orange. Nichols should be player of the year and Boeheim should be back in the good graces of Orange Nation, because clearly good coaching is what got us to this point just as much as good shooting has. Their dancing in Syracuse… and Georgetown still sucks!

Labels: Basketball, Big East

Labels: Basketball, Big East

Five Words: They Played The Hey Song.

Labels: Basketball, Big East

Some people look at Georgetown and say, "What's not to love?"
I look at Georgetown and say, "What's not to hate?"

Labels: Basketball, Big East

If you see this guy walk the other way.

Labels: Breaking The Law, Lacrosse

Your mascot is just a dude in a hood.

Labels: Basketball, Big East

This is what excellence looks like.

Labels: Lacrosse

Sunday, the third-ranked Orange lacrosse team beat the 25th-ranked Statesmen of Hobart in a thrilling come-from-behind win; one that had the Loud House rocking. Only one problem - the crowd noise was coming from the Hobart student section, which was easily 200-strong.

We went from "CUSE HOUSE" to Hobart's House.

As I sat with what few members of the "army" of students who were there, we silently kept our seats. The Hobart students, on the other hand, were into the game every possession, and the "Let's Go Orange" that usually fills the Dome was replaced with "Let's Go Hobart."

How can we ignore the fact that we have one of the top LAX programs in the nation, where 10 of 13 of our games this year will be against ranked opponents, and not come out and support the team? The lacrosse team chose to not play in the Big East so that they could play who they wanted, and unlike other teams on campus, they don't pad the schedule with cupcakes.

The Orange plays 24th-ranked Army on Friday night at 7. The game will be over by 9:30, early enough to not interfere with your drinking schedules. So come down to the Dome and get behind the most successful athletic program on this campus. As fair-weather as the Syracuse University fans are, it's a sure bet for some fun.

Labels: Lacrosse

The Orange Fox is back!

The feature is back, albeit a day late.

Virginia Loses, Syracuse Now Ranked Second
Anyone remember 2004?

It may seem like distant history with Virginia's dominating performance in 2006, but the Cavaliers' start to 2004 may forecast what lies ahead for Dom Starsia's charges. In that season, the Cavaliers -- a young team with little defined upperclass leadership -- stepped out of the gate with a 15-4 drubbing of Drexel and promptly lost to Air Force and Denver in consecutive games.

Virginia finished 5-8.

While history does not always lead to future returns, Virginia does have a hole to climb out following its 11-10 loss to Drexel last Saturday.

Inside Lacrosse Media Poll
As the release notes:

One week of lacrosse action and already a new number one in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Men's DI Media Poll.

Defending National Champion Virginia took a tumble against Drexel this weekend, sliding to eighth place. Johns Hopkins, which was ranked second last week, moves into the top spot. Syracuse, Princeton, Georgetown and Maryland round out the top five.

• Syracuse performed very well in its clearing game on Saturday. Missing only two clearing attempts, the Orange did a nice of job of limiting Hobart's ability to create easy scoring opportunities, especially when considering how inefficient the Statesmen offense was on the day. It is an often overlooked aspect of play, but if Syracuse can continue its clearing consistency (a bugaboo in 2006), good things should happen to the Orange.


• If you're asking yourself how Syracuse's 2007 offensive performance compares to Virginia in 2006, you are probably going to be disappointed -- Syracuse is still significantly behind Virginia's blistering offensive efficiency pace of .357 in 2006.


• The possession numbers illustrated above is fairly misleading. The teams ended up even on the day due to Jon Jerome's heroic fourth-quarter performance. Had Hobart stolen some draws down the stretch, Syracuse would have likely lost the possession battle and the game in general.
  
  The question is, therefore, why did Hobart create so many possessions? The answer is simple: Brandon Baer did an incredible job in the Hobart cage. Baer managed to limit the number of shots Syracuse was able to put on cage during the Orange's possessions and created a solid number of clearing attempts (28). Had Baer not played so well, Syracuse could have limited Hobart possessions by circumstance (Hobart cannot garner possession automatically if Syracuse is depositing the bean in the net).

All in all, a solid effort from the Orange to start the season. Friday night's tilt against Army should serve as a nice tune-up for next weeks game against Virginia in the Face-Off Classic.

UPDATE: SNY will broadcast the Friday evening contest against Army starting at 7:00PM.

Labels: Lacrosse

Now that's how you put it in someone's eye.

Labels: Basketball, Big East, UConn

Following Syracuse's defeat of Kansas, I, along with some friends, sauntered over to Pat O'Brien's to celebrate the most important moment in Orange history with gallons of hurricanes. At some point in the evening a bartender offered to purchase the "Real Men Wear Orange" shirt off of my back. Understanding that I had not washed that shirt in approximately four years, we negotiated a price and I went on my way.

Since that time I did not purchase another "Real Men Wear Orange" t-shirt. Over that period I failed to see Syracuse win a basketball game that I attended.

Until yesterday. When I bought a new "Real Men Wear Orange" shirt prior to the tilt.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The third-ranked Orange (1-0) scored four straight fourth-period goals to rally from an 11-10 deficit and defeat Hobart (0-1) by the score of 13-11 in the season opener for both teams on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Carrier Dome. Sophomore attackman Dan Hardy scored two of SU’s final three goals during the game-clinching run. He tallied a personal-best five points in the contest (3g, 2a), including the first hat trick of his career.

Once again, it's brother against brother.
Matt Glaude (left) v. Adam Glaude (right).

Labels: Basketball, Big East

Syracuse students agree: Syracuse is snowier than Tampa

Just the facts for now. Maybe a full analysis later in the day.

As always, for an exhaustive explanation of Pomeroy's methodology and statistical theory, this link may be a useful resource.

When Syracuse is on Defense

When Syracuse is on Offense

Labels: Basketball, Big East, Preview

It's a slightly slimmer Peter Coluccini world.
We're just living in it.

We’re happy that he got the experience he did last year. We’re hoping that he’s going to come out more confident. He’s used to seeing that 100 miles per hour shot. And that’ll help our defense in general.

I am a lot more comfortable knowing what to expect, but at the same time, I like to go out there and have fun. It’s important when you play the teams we play.

So Coluccini scrutinized his behavior and analyzed his body type, then devoted his summer to change. Last season, at a blocky, chesty 225 pounds, Coluccini used his big body as something of a backboard. SU coach John Desko said Coluccini's ability to stand tall (he's 6-foot-1) and wide in the cage helped him stop some shots.

But Coluccini wanted more. He put himself on a strict diet - he ate lots of vegetables - and altered his weight-lifting regimen. For a guy who always believed that bigger meant better, the shift in philosophy represented a notable step in his goalie evolution.

Today, he's slimmer than ever. He weighs about 185 or 190, depending on the day. He says he's in better cardiovascular shape and perhaps more importantly, the lack of bulk makes him feel quicker on his feet and swifter with his stick.

To put that into perspective, consider this: Last year, he maxed out at 350 in the bench press. And now, he estimates he can't lift more than 225 for more than three or four reps. The result, he said, is a sleeker, more nimble SU goalie.

"I thought that by being able to lift more, you'd necessarily be able to save more shots and be a better goalie, but it really doesn't work out like that," Coluccini said. "If you're stressing yourself lifting, you're so tired at practice, you're not going to be able to concentrate on practice."

You don’t like to see a season start off the way it did last year, but you learn a lot from those experience and as long as you take something from those. You got something from it. To come out there this year, and play consistent, I think it’s going to be the most important for our team and for me individually.

Labels: Lacrosse, Preview

A rhapsody in rap checks.

The Orange benefits from what appears to be quality depth at the defensive end. SU brought in several defenders in this year's recruiting class. The Orange's veteran defenders say some of those rookies will push for playing time this season.

And SU coach John Desko also praised the preseason work of Mark Cahak, the Fayetteville sophomore who will likely play in close.

"I think our on-ball defense last year wasn't as aggressive as it should be," Palmer said. "I think we've addressed that. All of us coming back are in a lot better shape - tons better shape than we ever have been. We trained harder. Nobody took a day off. So I think we'll be able to be more aggressive on the ball, get better takeaways."

Evan Brady, a junior close defenseman and likely starter in close with Kyle Guadagnolo and Dustin Palmer, echoed such comments during the team's media day exercise:

I think we’re pretty experienced. With the experience we got last year and only losing one guy, I think we’re real confident and a lot more mature than we were last year on offense and defense.

Desko appreciates Shaw's ability to take up space.

"The tall guys usually have better range," Desko said. "And just to have your stick in the air in passing lanes is helpful. And I think he's a very smart player in practice. He hasn't gotten a lot of game experience, so we're trying to get him some competition against other teams."

Desko said he and his staff noticed Shaw last year, when Shaw quickly adapted to the SU system and was a star on the scout team.

"He's just smart on the field," Guadagnolo said. "He's got a real good stick and he knows what to do. You don't have to worry about him one bit."

And everybody keeps raving about Matt Tierney. His SU teammates say he's played well in practice and believe he'll see some significant minutes this season. The freshman defender from New Jersey is also 6-4.

Labels: Lacrosse, Preview

L-R: Infallible Saint, Hater of Whiskers on Kittens, Lover of Bee Stings.

I think UConn fans should shout whatever they want at [Paul Harris], as a matter of fact, I was one of them.

Comparing AJ Price, who stole some laptops, to Paul Harris, who sold crack and beat up his girlfriend, is a weak analogy. They are both criminals, but I give the edge to Paul Harris here.

Also, most of the UConn fans don't even like AJ Price. A lot of students wanted him and Williams kicked off the team last year, and this year, we'd rather have other players start in his place, just because there are better basketball players.

So print this in your ugly orange blog

Jeffrey Kittens

2005: A.J. Price
· Stole four laptop computers in June 2005

2005: Marcus Williams
· Stole four laptop computers in June 2005

2005: Antonio Kellogg
· Charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana
· Charged with criminal intent to assault a police officer, criminal trespass, and interfering with an officer

2004: Clyde Vaughan
· Charged with patronizing a prostitute and interfering with an officer

2003: Ben Gordon
· Charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors

2003: Rashard Anderson
· Threatening and breach of peace

2001: Marcus Cox
· Charged with one count of marijuana possession

2000: Tony Robertson
· Accused of scheming to swap tickets for boots at the Timberland Stores at Westfarms Mall. No charges were filed after a four-week investigation.

1999: Khalid El-Amin
· Charged with possession less than four ounces of marijuana after his arrest in Hartford’s North End

1998: Antric Klaiber
· Charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, seat belt violation
· Charged with shoplifting

1998: Doug Wrenn
· Charged with shoplifting $85 sneakers from Bob’s of Hamden
· Cited for disturbance outside of a bar
· Arrested on breach-of-peace charges

1994: Rudy Johnson
· Charged with breach of peace in an incident involving Connecticut women’s basketball player Sue Mayo

1993: Brian Fair
· Charged with shoplifting

1990: Murray Williams
· Charged with driving while intoxicated

Labels: Basketball, Big East, Connvicts

L-R: Superman, eight forgettable extras.

Labels: Basketball, Big East

Terrence... I fucking hate losing to Calhoun. Have a seat.

Labels: Basketball, Big East

On the possible disappointment of the recruiting class:
“I will say this, and maybe this is something I shouldn’t say it, but I will. If there was a disappointment, and you don’t get everybody, that’s part of recruiting that nobody gets everyone, I guarantee Florida didn’t get everybody they recruited, neither did Texas, nor did USC. Here, the biggest disappointment that I had was we had two young prospects whose fathers played at Syracuse. I felt like we recruited them very, very hard and it kind of felt like we were in a good position, but they ended up deciding not to come. That was very disappointing to me, but I guarantee you we’ll go right back out next year and I’ve already identified a prospect whose father played at Syracuse. We’re going to battle again, and we’re going to see if we can’t add another or two, or three. To me, if I had a disappointment, that’s probably what it was. It isn’t so much about the positions, I think we’re fine and I’m not concerned in that regard.”

On the recruiting needs being met:
“I think they were. Time will tell. You never know. You have all heard it and probably two thirds of the coaches have all made this statement today, but you really don’t know for a couple of years. I think you know after a period of time. Some of them take a little longer, but once you get them on the field and you work with them, you know that they’re going to help you somewhere down the road and that’s part of it. We’ll know next season where we are with this class, just like I think we know about last year’s class.”

Labels: Football

Last week's cautious approach may have been wildly off target:

The sky is not falling yet, but it is getting pretty dark.

Two heartbreaking losses in the span of six days has dulled Syracuse's consideration for tournament inclusion. However, the losses are not irreparable; over the Orange's final slate of nine contests, Syracuse will face seven clubs with RPI values within the nation's top 100.

The moral of the story: put down the bleach and razor blades.

As illustrated below, John Milton's timeless words may better encapsulate Syracuse's situation:

Where no hope is left, is left no fear.

Lacrosse season cannot start fast enough.

Resume and Factors of Relevance
The foregoing data is accurate only to the date and time of publication. As this feature will not receive a daily update (rather, a weekly update will take place), its particular factual accuracy should not receive great weight as the week subsequently passes. However, it should stand as a solid indicator of what Syracuse has accomplished this season and what the Orange must yet achieve in order to secure another NCAA Tournament invitation.

With respect to the status variables included, each variable relates to one of five possible states of affairs:

1. Great;
2. Good;
3. Adequate;
4. Troubling; and
5. Terrible.

Status variables ranging above "adequate" indicate facts and circumstances conducive to receiving a bid. Status variables ranging below "adequate" indicate facts and circumstances of concern -- relative to the rest of the nation, Syracuse needs to improve its position. The status variable of "adequate" indicates a hold position -- depending on what other colleges or universities accomplish, Syracuse's current status may or may not be good enough to merit an invitation.

Notes
Invitation Status Downgrade
The NCAA Dance Card still anticipates Syracuse's inclusion in the Tournament field, yet the quantitative and qualitative data above appears to contradict such an assumption.

The presumptions of pace and anticipated outcomes have hurt the Orange as nothing, seemingly, has gone Syracuse's way the last two weeks. The wheels are rapidly falling off of the bus, and should Syracuse not find a way to win five or six weeks over the next three or four weeks, an NIT bid is likely in the not-too-distant future.

Who To Root For
Syracuse.

To be honest, the Orange is its worst enemy at this point; RPI and strength of schedule are merely ancillary worries at this juncture.

General Fodder

• I am still not sure why Texas is generally considered to be a tournament club. Its marquee victories are Arkansas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma (three fairly average teams) and its quantitative values are not all that impressive compared to Syracuse. Unless the Longhorns do something markedly impressive over its final 10 games, Texas should not have a stronger shot at the tournament than Syracuse.



• I cannot see more than six bids for the Big East at this point. Marquette and Pittsburgh are locks, but the next four bids are coming from a group of: Notre Dame, West Virginia, Georgetown, Louisville, Providence, Syracuse, and Villanova.



• I'm not sure how I feel about Arizona. The Wildcats have played the toughest schedule in the country, yet are 15-7, 4-6 over its last 10, and just 4-4 on the road. The losses are all acceptable, yet there are no "marquee" victories. Arizona will likely get a spot in the field, but it will not be without mild controversy.
  

Labels: Basketball, NCAA Tournament

Nothing says hate like a fake motivational poster.

Time for a little Rivalry Week. Pictured above is the Huskies’ Mascot Jonathan hanging from a rope around his neck in the Hartford Civic Center circa 2005 Women’s Big East Tournament. (Yes I was there and yes it was in fact for women’s basketball.) Nothing like being around UConn fans when they do their usual chant of UConn… HUSKIES only to have it drowned out by U SUCK!

Sorry for no recap of the DePaul game so I’ll sum it up in brief:

Devendorf was awesome. Five long balls in the first half.

I love me some Andy Rautins.

Less turnovers then the other team = a happy Brian Harrison/Jim Boeheim.

We need to rebound more.

Shot blocking is great.

We need to close games better.

The crowd in the Dome is lame this year. (That will not be the case for UConn on Feb. 17th. I’ll be the one at the top of Section 305 with the signs).

Any questions feel free to send a complaint to the usual places.

I’m sadly stuck in class tonight so I have to watch LiveStats and check it out on my DVR when I get home. Apparently UConn is favored tonight. What shit are they smoking in Vegas to come up with that. I know it is in Gample but really… two words… COME ON!

(Hat Tip to Ben Halliday for creating the best mascot dis ever by buying it and getting a rope)

Labels: Basketball, Big East

Matt Glaude (left, Syracuse '02)
v.
Adam Glaude (right, Connecticut '06)

Labels: Basketball

• Tempo/pace data;
• Offensive and defensive efficiency data; and
• Shot data (sans shooting percentage because I drink gasoline and often become forgetful).

Basically, it's a comprehensive look at every team in 2006 (except Duke because the Blue Devils only played eight games). As far as I know, this is the only place on the internet where you can find and use such data, so it is pretty groundbreaking.

I'll eventually have an analysis ready, but it's taking forever to wade through the information and compose some reasonable thoughts.

Hugs and kisses,

Matt Glaude

Labels: 2006 College Football Blogger Awards, Football