Syracuse - DePaul Postgame Reactions OR Demons, You Have Been Exercised
3 Comments Published on 2.01.2008 by Brian Harrison
Onuaku SMASH! For realz.It was two years ago, March 2nd, 2006, in the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. It was one of the most miserable games I have ever seen. Syracuse lost to the new kids on the league block 108 to 69. That team was DePaul, the same DePaul team that Syracuse had to face on Wednesday. The question was, if DePaul could do that to a team with Gerry McNamara on it, what were they going to do to a Syracuse team that only has seven players? Luckily, the answer was lose. Syracuse won a scrappy game on DePaul’s home court 60 to 55 to vault the Orange to the first page in the Big East standings.
The big story for this game was Arinze Onuaku. He had 22 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots to announce his presence with authority. There was a conscious effort to get Onuaku the ball early in the game. Then after Greene and Flynn couldn’t hit the ocean from a boat the plan shifted back to Onuaku who got some great passes as he made some strong moves to the hoop. Arinze easily can match up with any elite center in the let, let along the country. Every game I am more convinced of this. He continues to be the center that I always wish Syracuse had when I attended there. The game ball and my continued respect go to Onuaku.
Donte Greene was the second leading scorer for the team with 14 points, also adding five rebounds. Nothing to special to report here. He did not take over the game, just a solid performance.
Paul Harris had ten points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. All in all a solid day for Paul, that would no doubt look much better without seven turnovers.
Syracuse improved on their free throws as well. Syracuse made 79% of their free throws, earning 15 out of 19 shots. Most likely, this was part of the five point lead that Syracuse enjoyed at the end of the clock. Shooting free throws will continue to play a major role in the outcome of Syracuse’s games.
Even though this was a win, there was, again, much to be desired. The three point shooting percentage for this game was abysmal. It was only a mere 7.7%; one for 13. This could be the worst three point shooting by Syracuse in years.
Jonny Flynn was unusually unproductive on the offensive end, as he only made three out of 11 field goal attempts. He also missed all four of his three point attempts. For our starting point guard, this performance is underwhelming and unacceptable.
Rick Jackson might as well have stayed on the bench this game. He only made one basket and made two assists. Yes, that is it for 13 minutes of play. This just shows the inexperience of the young center.
Meanwhile, Scoop enjoyed a fine night of studying. Syracuse is a solid 2-0 when Scoop is on suspension. Nice.
Not only did the gentlemen beat DePaul, but the ladies, fresh on their upgrade from #24 to #22, decided to beat #24 DePaul in Chicago as well. In a slim and exciting victory with a final score of 69 to 66. Congratulations to the ladies, who just keep climbing the Big East and national rankings. The box score for that game is here.
The gentlemen next time at home take on the lawbreakers themselves, the Connecticut UConn Huskies, in the Carrier Dome this Wednesday at 7:00pm. Before that this Saturday at noon Syracuse will travel to Philadelphia to take on the descending Villanova Wildcats. Can the Orange avenger the home loss shorthanded and not let Scottie Reynolds have his way with Syracuse again? We will find out this weekend. Unlike most of my good friends, I will not be making the trip to Philly, however I will be in New York City this weekend to watch the game, as well as that little iconic football experience coming this Sunday. Expect your usual blogging business on Monday. I will then travel back to Syracuse (via a limo this time) to watch Syracuse try to beat Jim Calhoun and his Huskies. That is this Jim Calhoun, who apparently cannot get along with the Athletic Director in Storrs and dislikes drug testing. Nice Jim. Very interesting. As always, GO ORANGE!
The big story for this game was Arinze Onuaku. He had 22 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots to announce his presence with authority. There was a conscious effort to get Onuaku the ball early in the game. Then after Greene and Flynn couldn’t hit the ocean from a boat the plan shifted back to Onuaku who got some great passes as he made some strong moves to the hoop. Arinze easily can match up with any elite center in the let, let along the country. Every game I am more convinced of this. He continues to be the center that I always wish Syracuse had when I attended there. The game ball and my continued respect go to Onuaku.
Donte Greene was the second leading scorer for the team with 14 points, also adding five rebounds. Nothing to special to report here. He did not take over the game, just a solid performance.
Paul Harris had ten points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. All in all a solid day for Paul, that would no doubt look much better without seven turnovers.
Syracuse improved on their free throws as well. Syracuse made 79% of their free throws, earning 15 out of 19 shots. Most likely, this was part of the five point lead that Syracuse enjoyed at the end of the clock. Shooting free throws will continue to play a major role in the outcome of Syracuse’s games.
Even though this was a win, there was, again, much to be desired. The three point shooting percentage for this game was abysmal. It was only a mere 7.7%; one for 13. This could be the worst three point shooting by Syracuse in years.
Jonny Flynn was unusually unproductive on the offensive end, as he only made three out of 11 field goal attempts. He also missed all four of his three point attempts. For our starting point guard, this performance is underwhelming and unacceptable.
Rick Jackson might as well have stayed on the bench this game. He only made one basket and made two assists. Yes, that is it for 13 minutes of play. This just shows the inexperience of the young center.
Meanwhile, Scoop enjoyed a fine night of studying. Syracuse is a solid 2-0 when Scoop is on suspension. Nice.
Not only did the gentlemen beat DePaul, but the ladies, fresh on their upgrade from #24 to #22, decided to beat #24 DePaul in Chicago as well. In a slim and exciting victory with a final score of 69 to 66. Congratulations to the ladies, who just keep climbing the Big East and national rankings. The box score for that game is here.
The gentlemen next time at home take on the lawbreakers themselves, the Connecticut UConn Huskies, in the Carrier Dome this Wednesday at 7:00pm. Before that this Saturday at noon Syracuse will travel to Philadelphia to take on the descending Villanova Wildcats. Can the Orange avenger the home loss shorthanded and not let Scottie Reynolds have his way with Syracuse again? We will find out this weekend. Unlike most of my good friends, I will not be making the trip to Philly, however I will be in New York City this weekend to watch the game, as well as that little iconic football experience coming this Sunday. Expect your usual blogging business on Monday. I will then travel back to Syracuse (via a limo this time) to watch Syracuse try to beat Jim Calhoun and his Huskies. That is this Jim Calhoun, who apparently cannot get along with the Athletic Director in Storrs and dislikes drug testing. Nice Jim. Very interesting. As always, GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Big East, Women's Basketball
It's about time those Demons got exercised. They were gettin' flabby. Especially Wesley Green's moobs.
I'm trying to decided which is more worrying: Paul Harris's 1:1 A/T ratio (with 7 turnovers) or Johnny's 1:1 A/T ratio (with only one assist.)
It is quite the quandry Anonymous.