Providence - Syracuse Postgame Reactions OR World Cup Caliber Fouls
1 Comments Published on 12.29.2010 by John Brennan
We agree, Rick. You got boned.
After blazing through the non-conference schedule, Syracuse entered Big East play at 13-0. The first Big East opponent was the Providence College Friars, representing the home offices. In a tough battle, Syracuse outlasted Providence for the victory 81-74. Not wanting to overshadow all the awesomeness of a late-December football game for this program, we'll keep this recap relatively short and to the point, with a series of bulleted points to ponder.
- Big East officiating is back, but not like we remember. I thought last night's Pitt/UConn game would be an anomaly, but it seems like the BE is going to be using their whistles a lot more this season.
- Great to see Tim Higgins back in the house. He's always so kind and gracious and calls an impeccable game. Always.
- A few games ago I surmised that Kris Joseph was saving all his good stuff for Big East play. If tonight was any indication, he was. He scored 17 in the first half, 27 total (for a game and career high), including 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Also of note, he shot 4-6 from long range.
- Speaking of long range, Syracuse shot 9-22 for 40.9% from three, while Providence was a measly 8-30 for 26.7%. These numbers kept Syracuse in the game, and helped keep Providence out of it.
- Others in double digit scoring for Syracuse were Scoop Jardine with 21, and Brandon Triche with 15. Rick Jackson was a point short with 9.
- Rick hitting one more free throw would have given him a double-double, as he had pulled down 17 rebounds.
- Rick was called for a technical foul in the 2nd half for holding onto a defensive rebound, getting fouled, and having a Friar run into his elbow face-first and flop to the ground. Certainly a BS call on a BS rule. However, it got a rather quiet 20,388 fans in the Carrier Dome riled up, and they stayed rowdy for the remainder of the game.
- Marshon Brooks is a hell of a player for Providence. In addition to playing all 40 minutes, he was active on the court, scored 27 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. Not too shabby on a losing effort.
- We definitely saw some vulnerabilities in the Syracuse defense. They gave the Friars the baseline virtually all game, and they exploited it. There also seemed to be too many straight drives through the lane where the Orange defenders just stood there and let it happen.
- Speaking of defense, it is clear that while Jim Boeheim values his offensive effort, James Southerland's defense just isn't there yet. In the final minutes of the game, Boeheim freely substituted in Southerland for offense and Baye Moussa Keita for defense.
- BMK again saw substantial minutes in this one, being first off the bench for Fab Melo. BMK played 11 minutes, while Melo only logged 5.
- The other bench player seeing action was Dion Waiters, who logged 9 minutes in what was probably nine 1-minute stints into the game. Thanks for your 1 point, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 turnover.
- The Catholic portion of the schedule continues for Syracuse this Saturday as Notre Dame visits the Dome before the Orange go on the road to play Seton Hall and St. John's.
Labels: Syracuse Basketball
Good recap... Oh, Tim Higgins, when are you gonna retire and put us out of your misery?
One disagreement -- Southerland's defense is definitely not his strong suit, but I think Boeheim was bringing in Keita more so he could slide Jackson to a wing (and protect him from his 5th foul). Plus, they're just so much better rebounding with Keita and Jackson on the baseline.