Syracuse students agree: Gotta make the championship game.
Syracuse has advanced (they would have even if they lost) to the Semi-final round of the 2K Classic in the home away from the Dome, Madison Square Garden. California has played the Orange a few times in the last few seasons, and therefore people probably think it's funny to repeat a familiar phrase about California still competing in the games they are playing. Don't be tempted. Either way, California does one thing pretty well, and that is shoot the ball from outside the arc. They have shot 47.2% from long range so far this season. That is pretty darn good. There are only two things that can keep Cal from being blown out. The first is the outside shooting, but the second is Rakeem Christmas getting in foul trouble. Cal hasn't faced a team that plays primarily zone, and traditionally Syracuse has guarded the line well in recent years (Cooney included). I think Cal will resort to chucking a lot of low percentage shots when they find it trouble to penetrate the zone. Sure, some solid ball rotation will produce some open corner looks for Cal, and they will hit a few. But the constant barrage of Christmas and McCullough in the paint should get Cal into some foul issues, as well as give Syracuse the free throw advantage. Also, Syracuse should get some turnovers and runouts over steals at the top of the key and off long threes missed by Cal. I think Syracuse has too much firepower for Cal in the end, as well as the much stronger defense. If Christmas makes smart choices, this one shouldn't be close in the second half. I like Syracuse by 18. This game is tentatively schedule to start at 9:00pm, but really it will happen 20-30 minutes after the conclusion of Iowa / Texas. This game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN 2 / WatchESPN. Both John and I will be Tweeting along for the start of the season. Giddy up.
On a serious note, thoughts and prayers go out to our friends at Florida State affected by the shooting that happened there recently, from us here at Orange::44.
On a serious note, thoughts and prayers go out to our friends at Florida State affected by the shooting that happened there recently, from us here at Orange::44.
Labels: Basketball, Madison Square Garden, Preview
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