Syracuse - Pittsburgh Postgame Reactions OR On The Road (of Crap) Again
0 Comments Published on 1.20.2009 by Brian Harrison
How many times do I have to say it. Shave those sideburns Mattingly... I mean Rick.Syracuse gets a big win at home, and granted they were only on a day of rest, but then they lay a stinker at Pittsburgh. They kept it close and had the lead in the first at different points, but the second half was all Pittsburgh as Syracuse loses to the #4 team in the nation in “The Pete” 78 to 60.
Andy Rautins was Syracuse’s biggest scorer, with 17 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He hit five of 12 long range shot, and had that tough defense he showed against Notre Dame with a couple good reads and intercepted passes. He was the best player on the floor for Syracuse for offense and defense as well, as he was always a presence in the face of whoever he was guarding.
Jonny Flynn was the only other Syracuse player in double figures. He earned 12 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Flynn also made six of nine free throws, which is far better than Onuaku fared. Flynn tried to do too much though, as he only made three of 14 shots and zero of five three point shots. Yes, Jonny Flynn is human after all.
Rick Jackson and Paul Harris each finished with nine points and four and five rebounds respectively. Jackson had a decent game down low, but he should have had a few more trips to the free throw line. He was mobbed every time he went to the hoop. While he hit some tough shots in this game, as well as the ND game, sometimes he still just does not bring it with the force needed. Harris also had a nice game, and he even hit a long range basket. He could have done more to rebound though as Pitt had two or three chances usually during their possessions.
Arinze Onuaku had only eight points and nine rebounds. He looked gassed on the floor and seemed to be very passive on defense when Pittsburgh was passing and rotating the ball well. He matched up on DeJuan Blair, but Blair and the Pitt team certainly guarded Onuaku better than the Notre Dame squad. He managed to miss all five of his free throw attempts as well. Not the game we wanted from the big man.
Eric Devendorf also had a lackluster day off the bench. He managed five points, one assist, and led the team with four turnovers.
This team had a very hard time penetrating in the lane against Pittsburgh. It also had trouble passing out of the double team on the low post players. Syracuse made 23-55 field goals (41.8%) and only 7-20 three pointers (35%). Conversely Pittsburgh shot 53.3% and 33%. While Pittsburgh was not that great at free throws (52.9%), Syracuse was dreadful at it (43.8), including that 0-5 performance from Onuaku.
Now that being said, Syracuse found it impossible to come back against both Pittsburgh and the referees. While Tim Higgins did not necessarily “screw them hardcore” like he usually does, this referee crew seemed to swallow their whistles when it came to Syracuse being on the offensive end trying to go to the hoop against the Pitt players. Similarly, if Paul Harris is going to get a technical foul for the jibba jab, then DeJuan Blair deserved one as well for talking the entire game, and acted like a poor winner at the end of the game.
Either way, Syracuse was not ready to play, did not come out with energy, and decided to give up on defense at the end of the second half. They have several days now to chew this loss over and prepare for Louisville, who through the transitive property, is the new #1 team in the nation. This would be a great win to have, as that means Syracuse went 2-2 in this tough stretch. However, Syracuse needs to learn how to play on the road, because playing like this every time will not beat even the likes of Providence, and certainly not a UConn or a Villanova.
Andy Rautins was Syracuse’s biggest scorer, with 17 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He hit five of 12 long range shot, and had that tough defense he showed against Notre Dame with a couple good reads and intercepted passes. He was the best player on the floor for Syracuse for offense and defense as well, as he was always a presence in the face of whoever he was guarding.
Jonny Flynn was the only other Syracuse player in double figures. He earned 12 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Flynn also made six of nine free throws, which is far better than Onuaku fared. Flynn tried to do too much though, as he only made three of 14 shots and zero of five three point shots. Yes, Jonny Flynn is human after all.
Rick Jackson and Paul Harris each finished with nine points and four and five rebounds respectively. Jackson had a decent game down low, but he should have had a few more trips to the free throw line. He was mobbed every time he went to the hoop. While he hit some tough shots in this game, as well as the ND game, sometimes he still just does not bring it with the force needed. Harris also had a nice game, and he even hit a long range basket. He could have done more to rebound though as Pitt had two or three chances usually during their possessions.
Arinze Onuaku had only eight points and nine rebounds. He looked gassed on the floor and seemed to be very passive on defense when Pittsburgh was passing and rotating the ball well. He matched up on DeJuan Blair, but Blair and the Pitt team certainly guarded Onuaku better than the Notre Dame squad. He managed to miss all five of his free throw attempts as well. Not the game we wanted from the big man.
Eric Devendorf also had a lackluster day off the bench. He managed five points, one assist, and led the team with four turnovers.
This team had a very hard time penetrating in the lane against Pittsburgh. It also had trouble passing out of the double team on the low post players. Syracuse made 23-55 field goals (41.8%) and only 7-20 three pointers (35%). Conversely Pittsburgh shot 53.3% and 33%. While Pittsburgh was not that great at free throws (52.9%), Syracuse was dreadful at it (43.8), including that 0-5 performance from Onuaku.
Now that being said, Syracuse found it impossible to come back against both Pittsburgh and the referees. While Tim Higgins did not necessarily “screw them hardcore” like he usually does, this referee crew seemed to swallow their whistles when it came to Syracuse being on the offensive end trying to go to the hoop against the Pitt players. Similarly, if Paul Harris is going to get a technical foul for the jibba jab, then DeJuan Blair deserved one as well for talking the entire game, and acted like a poor winner at the end of the game.
Either way, Syracuse was not ready to play, did not come out with energy, and decided to give up on defense at the end of the second half. They have several days now to chew this loss over and prepare for Louisville, who through the transitive property, is the new #1 team in the nation. This would be a great win to have, as that means Syracuse went 2-2 in this tough stretch. However, Syracuse needs to learn how to play on the road, because playing like this every time will not beat even the likes of Providence, and certainly not a UConn or a Villanova.
Labels: Basketball, Big East
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