We understand. Despite the fact the games start on Thursday evening some of you loyal readers may still have to work during the game. You're in luck. The good folks at Wheat Thins have the info to help you with all your covert viewing. Additionally, they are graciously providing a couple prize packs for me to give out. So if you are interested, in the comments write what you think is the best thing about Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament. It can be anything you can think of. The best two responses in my judgment will win prize packs courtesy of Wheat Thins. So leave those comments. The winners will be announced in the postgame recap. And don't forget to click below if you're one of those unlucky to be here in Boston or able to view the game at home on your couch.
Labels: Basketball, Crazy Cool Contests, NCAA Tournament
#AllTheOranges
It's Bowl time again for college football. While Syracuse isn't attending, that means we can't celebrate the litany of meaningless but fun college football matchups, leading up to a computer deciding the two best teams in America playing for a giant crystal football. Join John and I in the Orange::44 College Bowl Pick'em. See if you know more about college football than us. Hell you might. But I'm a Blogpoll Voter. You're supposed to lie to me and kiss my butt. Anyway, it's on Yahoo. The group ID # is 11186. Or hopefully you can just click this link here to join. No password needed, the group is open to the public. Invite your friends. No prizes involved but pride. Enjoy.
PS - First bowl is Saturday the 17th. Get your picks in before that.
Labels: Bowling, Crazy Cool Contests, Football
Syracuse students agree: this can't be a trap gameAsk a casual college basketball fan who Syracuse plays this week. Chances are, you'll get this answer: Villanova. And with Syracuse just coming out of Washington with a huge win over Georgetown, it's really easy for this game at Providence to be overlooked. But make no mistake: this is a big game for Syracuse. Not in the sense that it's necessary to secure a 1-seed in the NCAA Tourney or anything of significant importance, but more so to keep the high intensity going into that Nova game. Providence is a shell of its former self this year, somehow finding itself near the bottom of the Big East Conference, with lowly Rutgers and DePaul. Still, at 12-14 overall and 4-10 in the conference, the Friars can still steal games. And let's not forget, they beat Syracuse at the Dunk last year with both teams putting up a crapload of points.
That all said, though, I don't see this as a shootout. This should be an opportunity for Syracuse to once again show its toughness on the road, dominate on defense, and work on playing a consistent 40 minutes. If there's anything that scares me about the Orangemen, it's their inability to play 40 minutes. Sometimes they disappear at the beginning, sometimes at the middle, and sometimes at the end. Luckily they've usually found some way to win, no matter when they disappear. But I think if they make an honest effort to try to play an entire 40 minutes, that effort will pay off as we near the end of the regular season and enter conference and NCAA tournament time.
Key players to watch in this game
For Syracuse, I think it's Wes Johnson. Originally getting banged up against Providence in the Dome a few weeks ago, he hasn't truly been the same player since. He really stepped things up against the Hoyas and seems to be either on the mend or able to maintain despite the pain. I think if he has a solid game, Syracuse comes away with an easy victory.
For Providence, Jamine Peterson dominated the Groundhog Day game, so he makes an easy choice here. However, also look out for Sharaud Curry, who may be just as good for the Friars as Peterson. The Orange held him mostly in check at the Dome, and I think if that trend repeats, another Syracuse victory will follow.
Big question for the game
How will the absence of Mookie Jones affect the team? Not at all. Next question.
Who will win
Brian says Syracuse by 13. I say Syracuse by 10.
Do you want a free shirt?
Brian tells me that he has one more Beat Nova shirt looking for a nice home. If you would be interested in winning the shirt (size XL, so I'm sorry, Big John, you'll have to wear an old ragged Georgetown shirt), please leave a comment on this post with your answer to this question: How many minutes will Kris Joseph log against Providence? In keeping with Orange::44 Price Is Right style tradition, the guess that is closest without going over will win. In the event of a tie, please also list the number of minutes you believe DaShonte Riley will log against the Friars. If there's still a tie after that, stop cheating off other peoples' answers. As always, make sure you identify yourself in your post, and the winner needs to email Brian at the address at the right of the page. Please note that this shirt will not get to you in time for the Nova game itself, shipping no earlier than Friday. If you'll actually be at the game, we may be able to make arrangements for you. But otherwise, why take that chance? Go ahead and support the good people at Holy Shirt! and buy a shirt here.
To Come on Orange::44 in the Coming Days
Check back after the Providence game for my recap and shout out to the shirt winner. Brian will be back on Thursday for his first installment of the 2010 Lacrosse Weekly report. And I'm assuming we'll come up with something crazy leading up to the College Gameday matchup Saturday against Villanova.
Labels: Basketball, Big East, Crazy Cool Contests, Preview, Syracuse Basketball
These shirts are just what you need and you know it.I've got a couple more shirts to give away. So therefore you can win yourself one of this nice Beat 'Nova shirts from the good folks at Holy Shirt!. All you have to do is guess the combined point total of Syracuse and Georgetown for tonight's game. The winner will be the closest without going over. As a tiebreak, tell me also how many points Wes Johnson will score, and how many rebounds Arinze Onuaku will have. The closest will win the tiebreaker. Just leave a comment on this page, with some sort of moniker so you can be identified. Winners will be announced in my Georgetown postgame article. Once again, you are leaving three total numbers with your name or some sort of distinguishing handle. All picks have to be in by tip off. Good luck and Go Orange! My preview for the Georgetown game will be out early afternoon today. Past winners are ineligible and I'll be shipping you your shirts very soon. You could also just buy a shirt here.
Labels: Basketball, Crazy Cool Contests
We're giving away some quality shirts too!
The fine folks at Holy Shirt! have been kind enough to provide Orange::44 with some shirts to give away leading up until the Villanova game that, as you have probably heard, is sold out. Therefore if you want to win one it's simple. Guess the total number of points that Syracuse and Connecticut will score combined at tomorrow night's game without going over. That's right, we're doing this Price of Right style. As a tiebreaker, also include the number of points Andy Rautins will score and the number of points Kris Joseph will score. The two point totals that are the closest without going over will win. Add the other numbers in case people happen to copy each other and end up being right but lame. I'll announce the winners here Thursday. We'll accept guesses until tip off tomorrow so get guessing. Just leave your guesses in the comments of this post. Good luck! But don't fret. If you don't win this week check back next week for another chance to win. Or skip all the nonsense by just buying one here.
Labels: Basketball, Big East, Crazy Cool Contests, UConn
Think you can send me better than this?Here at Orange::44 we pride ourselves on being interactive with the fans, while providing an informative and entertaining experience. In that vein, we proudly announce Orange::44's Cue the Crying Child Contest. The rules are simple. Just e-mail either a picture or a link to a picture of a crying child that you either found or took. E-mail it with your name and location to syracuseorange44@gmail.com. If you know the name of the subject in the photo feel free to include that as well. Please specify if you wish to remain anonymous if yours is selected. If your photo is chosen it will be featured prominently after the next home loss, which could very well be this Saturday evening. You may even get a nice prize.
A few helpful hints for you. Remember, the more pain and misery depicted the better. The title is always “Cue the Crying Child” which means people 20 or older probably should not count on being used, but I’ll certainly enjoy them and if I get enough I may select a special “Crying Adult” picture. Wearing Syracuse apparel is always a plus. Finally, we’ve used a lot of crying children these past few seasons so try to avoid pictures we’ve already used.
So grab a camera or keep Google as your homepage and do some good old fashioned detective work to find the best picture of miserable children you can find. Thanks for stopping by Orange::44, happy hunting and Go Orange!
A few helpful hints for you. Remember, the more pain and misery depicted the better. The title is always “Cue the Crying Child” which means people 20 or older probably should not count on being used, but I’ll certainly enjoy them and if I get enough I may select a special “Crying Adult” picture. Wearing Syracuse apparel is always a plus. Finally, we’ve used a lot of crying children these past few seasons so try to avoid pictures we’ve already used.
So grab a camera or keep Google as your homepage and do some good old fashioned detective work to find the best picture of miserable children you can find. Thanks for stopping by Orange::44, happy hunting and Go Orange!
Labels: Crazy Cool Contests, Football