Jimmy B, keeping it casual with Jason Hart as Casual Hoya would say.

Need some Georgetown Audio Hate? Done.

It was time for Sean from Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician and I to record yet another podcast. But we needed something extra special because today Syracuse takes on Georgetown in Washington. Therefore we invited Matt Glaude from Hoya Suxa, the definitive hater of all things Hoya and the founder of this exact notebook, to join us. We talk about such things as crazy internet videos starring Matt, exactly how crafty Fred Hill is, how terrible of a place Storrs, CT is, who will win the game tonight, and even some Olympic Curling talk! It's almost 40 minutes of audio gold well worth your time and perfect to prime you for the game or indiscriminate hate of Georgetown. Something we can all get behind. You can download this show, or any of our past podcasts here, on iTunes, or just listen below. Enjoy and thanks to Matt and Sean as always!

Byrd: The courtroom will come to order! The Court calls the case number 25-09-10, The Timeout: Connecticut versus Syracuse. Parties may come forward. Parties have been sworn. You may be seated.

The Court: I've read the complaint and I've read the answer. So Connecticut, you believe that you got robbed by the officials allowing Syracuse to call a time out?

UConn: That's correct your honor. You see, the official didn't grant the timeout until after the player had entered the lane and shot the layup. By the time the timeout was granted, we had already grabbed the rebound.

The Court: I've seen the video, UConn. It's not so cut and dry as you think it is. Why didn't you just play better than Syracuse?

UConn: Well, we were down by 16--

Syracuse: Well Andy Rautins was in foul trouble because the officials had it out for him!

The Court: Hey hey hey did I tell you to speak? No? Well then keep your mouth shut! You'll get your turn!

UConn: Thank you, your honor. As I was saying, we were down by 16 and we fought back and we persevered. All without our Hall of Fame head coach. Pretty impressive, I think.

The Court: Well wasn't Syracuse down by 14 against Georgetown a couple weeks ago? They didn't quit when they tied it up. They kept on going.

Syracuse: And we had to deal with crappy officiating in that case!

The Court: Why do you keep interrupting?!? You're winning this case!

Syracuse: I'm sorry, Your Honor.

UConn: What I'm trying to say is that the timeout changed the character of the game. Instead of being tied with 35 seconds left and us having the ball, Syracuse was given the ball and the opportunity to go ahead.

The Court: Yeah, and according to the answer filed by Syracuse here, Wes Johnson was fouled on the inbound after the timeout. Syracuse?

Syracuse: That's correct, Your Honor. Some very clear jersey grabbing going on there. They very well could have played it clean on the inbound and given us each a fair chance at winning the game. The score was still tied at that point.

The Court: Wow, Byrd, you ever seen anything like this before?

Byrd: No, Your Honor. Never. That's a pretty outrageous position to take by Connecticut, I think.

The Court: Look, you people. Byrd's been with me since the beginning. He knows bullshit when he sees it. Like a judge in a court of law, these officials did the best they could to keep fairness and order. They allowed the timeout. They called ticky-tack fouls but didn't call hard fouls. This was a typical Big East game. Each team had ample opportunity to step it up and shut it down. I find this suit without any merit. Judgment for the defendant, Connecticut's suit is dismissed.

Byrd: Parties are excused, you may step out.

While my official preview will come out later today, we need to get you adequately prepared for tonight's affair. Coming off a weekend perhaps this game has lost a little prospective. THIS is Georgetown v. Syracuse. It is one of the two most important games on the schedule. The coaches of each team, John Thompson III and Jim Boeheim agree. In an Orange::44 exclusive, using my vast network of informants I have come into possession of some black and white security footage from a parking garage in Syracuse. Don't even ask me how I came to possess this tape. While this would normally be forgettable in every way, this video contains the two coaches I have mentioned earlier. The contents are shocking. The two coaches met only hours ago, and despite the disguises used, you can clearly tell who this video is. I apologise for the grainy images. Parental discretion is advised.

Look at this sonofabitch!

Syracuse takes on Connecticut this Saturday in East Hartford, so Kevin from TheUConnBlog and I traded questions and answers this week. My responses to his questions are here. Enjoy.

1. Orange::44: Connecticut had a nice upset win against Notre Dame in overtime. What was the reason for the team's success against the Fighting Irish?

Kevin: The running game, very simply - UConn's offensive line pounded Notre Dame up and down the field. Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon combined for 245 yards on the ground, and only Navy rushed for more yards against the Fighting Irish this year. It's telling that, with UConn down by 3 and the ball at midfield with 5:00 to go, Randy Edsall called 11 straight running plays to score the game-winning touchdown twice, despite the homer referee job set up the tying field goal.

The second-overtime drive was perfectly fitting: run all the time, run all the way. It's exhilarating to think that UConn's big guys beat the hell out of the Irish up and down the field with two and three-star offensive line recruits.

One other note is that despite a slow start, UConn just sort of slowly grinded its way back into the game. And it was nice that the biggest play of the game (regulation edition) was a Jordan Todman kick-return TD. Special teams has cost us more than one game this season (and almost did again Saturday, seeing as Dave Teggart missed the game-winning FG), so it was nice to get some positive out of that group.

2. Orange::44: What do you see is the strength of this team that people that don't normally follow UConn could possibly miss?

Kevin: Well, it's not exactly a secret that UConn's strength is the running game, but what seems to have been overlooked is that the offensive line is a fairly elite unit.

Here are the sizes of UConn's offensive line: LT Mike Ryan (6-5, 324), LG Eric Kuraczea (6-2, 333), C Moe Petrus (6-2, 288), RG Zach Hurd (6-7, 315), RT Mike Hicks (6-6, 323).

They are monstrous. And they're young. Four of those five starters from last week's game will be back next season, along with Jimmy Bennett, one of UConn's better recruiting gets over the last couple years, and Mathieu Oliver, a left guard who got the offensive game ball last week.

It's not a coincidence that the running game is as productive as it is (174 yards per game, despite Edsall discovering the forward pass sometime in the last 12 months) even after losing a first-round NFL Draft pick like Donald Brown (UConn had an otherworldly 216 rush yards per game last year).

Dixon and Todman are good backs, for sure, but they get a lot of help from the big guys in front of them.

3. Orange::44: Syracuse is coming off it's own impressive win. What are your impressions of Syracuse and the direction the program is going?

Kevin: You suck and I hate you. But you beat Rutgers last week, who sucks and I hate them more, so I approve.

But seriously, the 'Cuse has looked like something resembling a football team this year. We all appreciate you not embarrassing the Big East in the OOC. And the fact that y'all are a play or two away from being 6-5 with the bare cupboard left by Greg Robinson is pretty outstanding and a credit to Marrone. I hope you guys get good again - while it's nice to have the automatic W most years, it's much more fun for us to play you when you have a pulse. (Besides, Louisville can still be our automatic W.)

Not that we don't enjoy beating the hell out of you, like the last two years. But those wins are like how we all love beating the hell out of St. John's in basketball - are you really accomplishing anything? The "Beat St. John's Club" is extremely non-exclusive.

Unlike St. John's though, you seem to have the right guy in charge, so I think you guys will be right back in the mix within a few years.

4. Orange::44: The key match up in this game on Saturday is?

Kevin: UConn offensive line vs. Syracuse front seven. I'm harping on the O-line, yeah, but I was rather surprised to see that Syracuse is allowing just 92 yards per game on the ground. That's a little less worrisome than it might have been last year, because the passing game is now utterly competent.

But still, if UConn can establish the run against a solid run defense, things will be looking really good for the Huskies. Also, if that happens, beware the Tyler Lorenzen Memorial Play-Action Pass. It works at least once a game.

5. Orange::44: How do you see Connecticut's season ending?

Kevin: Two more wins at home, and then a satisfying bowl win in St. Petersburg or Toronto. After all the tragedy and heartbreak of this season, they deserve a happy ending. Syracuse is a winnable game, and South Florida in a cold East Hartford night game is a dream matchup. I believe 7-5, 3-4, would be enough to send UConn to those prestigious non-Pizza Bowls.

As for me, if that happens, I will be leading the charge on the "UConn as Big East favorite in 2010" front. You heard it here first.

6. Orange::44: Do you think Cincinnati will win the league, or is Pitt going to pull the upset?

Kevin: I'm in awe of Cincinnati's offense. The UConn-Cincinnati game reminded me of when the Jets play Peyton Manning and the Colts. Frustrating yet beautiful to watch the other team's precision, fluidity and excellence.

If anyone could slow them down in this league, it'd be Pitt, though. And UConn did show that you can score on the Bearcats.

Still, I think Cincinnati's the better team, and I can't imagine a world in which the Wannstache adorns the Orange Bowl program cover, so I'll say Cincinnati 41, Pitt 34.

7. Orange::44: Finally, basketball is under way. How will Connecticut do this season and when is Calhoun going to crawl in a hole and die?

Kevin: I'm cautiously optimistic that UConn will be OK this year. We've got some young, talented kids and a nice returning core from last year. The big veteran three of Kemba Walker, Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson will rock other teams' world and then not call them the next morning. Our freshman center Alex Oriakhi looks like a keeper, and there's some potential among the freshmen. You will hear Dickie V use the word "athletic" 754 times tonight when we play Duke in the Preseason NIT final.

The real key is 6-10 Ater Majok, who joins the team in about three weeks. Calhoun's been hyping this kid up forever, and the book on him is that he's a wing with center size. That being said, just about no one has seen him play in a game in the two years since he committed to UConn and thus we're all clueless about what to expect. Majok tried out for the NBA Draft, but found out he was not anywhere close to ready.

If Majok is as good as Calhoun says he is, I think this team could have Elite Eight/Final Four potential. If he's nowhere close, I still think there's enough talent to get out of the first weekend, but it'll be tough to move on past that.

And I'm getting pretty confident that Calhoun will never die. Alternatively, when the day ultimately comes, I think he'll wake up 30 seconds into his embalming and demand a substitute undertaker.

Thanks again to Kevin and here’s hoping that Calhoun retires soon!

Since 1870, we're probably better than you.

I admit it. I’m a total Syracuse homer. Sure I can be objective when I need to, as all good bloggers or prognosticators should be. I even wear the journalist hat now and then. But I am a complete shill for Syracuse University usually. I spent a childhood growing up watching SU Basketball beat down Georgetown and St. John’s, watching McNabb pulling miracles, and watching with my father who was born in Syracuse. Hell, I even grew up in Elmira, the same town Ernie Davis grew up in. How could I have ended up anywhere else?

But I’m not here to convince you I’m the biggest SU fan of all time. Merely to illustrate that I understand the premise I’m about to tell you in and out. Too often Syracuse fans get labeled as “fair weather”, several times by me. Usually it is quite warranted, as evident by the many empty bleachers at various games in the Carrier Dome. However, all that said, is there any alumni base more loyal to their school than Syracuse?

I submit that once you graduate from Syracuse University, you become a lifelong advocate for the school, the academic programs, and the sports. What evidence could I possibly have to back this up? Besides my own opinions and habits (and the SU bloggers that graduated from Syracuse know what I mean), you only need to look to the top three sports teams on the hill. Each team, referring to football, basketball, and men’s lacrosse, are coached by men who graduated from Syracuse. Not only that but several assistant coaches are alumni as well. Few other schools, if any, have had the situation where the top three money making sports for the NCAA are occupied by a school’s alumni. And bracketing football Head Coach Doug Marrone because it is his first season at the helm, the programs are very successful because of this fact.

Look no further than Jimmy Boeheim and his staff. The Hall of Famer has four Syracuse graduates on his staff in Bernie Fine, Mike Hopkins, Lazarus Sims, and one Gerry McNamara as a graduate assistant. Turning to lacrosse, the most successful program in Division 1 lacrosse history, Head Coach John Desko is an alumnus, along with each of his three assistant coaches Kevin Donahue, Lelan Rogers, and Roy Simmons III. Both programs are obviously outstanding in their respective sports, and obviously there is something special about them, and the consistency of the various sports, that draws alumni back to coach at Syracuse.

No where else in the college world does this happen. You don’t see Patrick Ewing coming back to be an assistant at his alma mater. Nor does it happen at any other Big East institution. It does not happen at other BCS schools either. It only happens at Syracuse in which so many people that are alumni come back to be associated with the programs. And this happens in various degrees for most alumni. Another big example would, of course, be Carmelo Anthony. He was only at Syracuse for one year, but his experiences, regardless of winning a National Championship, amounted to one of the best experiences in his life. To repay that debt he donated $3 million to help build a state of the art basketball facility. As a private institution, Syracuse does not receive state money for athletic facilities like other state schools, so it must come from somewhere. Carmelo stepped up out of his fondness of Syracuse and $3 million is an awful lot of gratitude.

Of course regular alumni like me experience this kind of feeling about Syracuse. Syracuse alumni occasionally donate money back to the school, but it more readily shows by the number of children that go to Syracuse after their parents did. It shows by the various alumni organizations Syracuse has, and the vast areas where there are clubs. This simple fact is, when it is all said and done, and no matter what happens on the athletic field, Syracuse graduates love their school and take pride in having a degree that says Syracuse.

While it is true that most people are proud of their alma mater, clearly Syracuse wins again. Just to be clear: Suck it Connecticut, Georgetown, and any school not named Syracuse. After all, what would school pride be without a little friendly rivalry?

A quick post this afternoon before my impending doom about what the experts think of the rookie class for the NBA. It’s official: people like Jonny Flynn. Plus the second half of this article was too good not to note here. Flynn was ranked third on David Thorpe of Scouts Inc. writing for ESPN’s list. He puts Flynn at #3 behind Blake Griffin of the Clippers and Tyreke Evans of the Kings. Of Flynn, he states:

At this point, I think most fans of Flynn are hoping that Rubio decides to either sit out the year or just gets traded elsewhere. Thorpe goes on to list his top ten rookies via the formula of talent plus opportunity. Then he lists his next ten, numbers 11 through 20. Then he even goes on to list seven more that are the “best of the rest”. Finally, he lists what he labels as “The projects list.” On this list is Ricky Rubio, mainly because of his Spanish team issue and not playing in the summer league. But then he lists at the very bottom of his article Hasheem Thabeet of the Grizzlies and formally of the UConn Huskies. Yes that is 29 rookies he thinks are better than Thabeet. On Thabeet, he crafts one of the most intelligent and awesomely backhanded put downs I have ever read. He says:

This much is certain: The Grizzlies knew they were getting a project when they drafted him. And although his attitude seemed positive and his demeanor on the court was professional, his effort level never came close to what it will take for him to have success in the NBA. His lack of strength, balance or scoring skills is not the issue. Give him that same set of weaknesses, but replace his passion for the games with Blake Griffin's, and Memphis would have a center who would be the envy of the entire league.

So not only does he not have the proper strength, balance, or scoring skills for the NBA, but he doesn’t even care either. Amazing. #2 overall seems a bit high now doesn’t it? Way to put in that NBA level effort Thabeet! Thorpe even bashes him in his write up of #7 Rookie Stephen Curry saying that Curry might be the second most disappointing rookie, but second “by a long shot” to Thabeet. Of course I have been saying this kind of stuff for months as you know if you read any of my Big East articles or Syracuse/Connecticut postgame reactions. Either way, it is nice to see that finally the national media has taken off the blinders and realizes that he seems to not even care if he is good at basketball because it was all about the pay day or status for him. No pride in his work. What a shame and some legacy for UConn to hold on to.

The article, of you care about that whole NBA thing, is here, but I warn you that you need an ESPN Insider account to view it. Enjoy the national media now slamming Thabeet instead of treating him like he walks on water and is God’s gift to shot blocking.

Best smile and best point guard in the draft.

Congratulations to Jonny Flynn, picked 6th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Congratulations to Jonny. Sadly he will not be heading to his favorite team the New York Knicks who had the 8th overall pick and selected Jordan Hill from Arizona. After all, Flynn plays some of his best ball in Madison Square Garden. Either way, Flynn will most likely be hung on by Minnesota, and Ricky Rubio, picked just before him, will most likely be used to get some other quality player to help rebuild the franchise. Flynn is a strong leader on the floor, can finish despite being undersized, and will be a good addition to Minnesota.

Other Big East selections in the NBA Draft were:

First Round
#2 Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut) to Memphis
#11 Terrence Williams (Louisville) to New Jersey
#14 Earl Clark (Louisville) to Phoenix

Second Round
#3 (33) Dante Cunningham (Villanova) to Portland via the LA Clippers
#5 (35) DaJuan Summers (Georgetown) to Detroit via Minnesota
#6 (36) Sam Young (Pittsburgh) to Memphis
#7 (37) DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh) to San Antonio via Golden State through Phoenix
#22 (52) AJ Price (Connecticut) to Indiana via Dallas

Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf were not selected in the first two rounds of this year’s NBA Draft. There was talk of Paul Harris possibly impressing enough that people might have taken him in the second round but it was not to be, as once again several surely overrated international players were taken in this draft (13 total). Maybe we’ll see two or three in the league, but not 13. Either way, there was a fairly strong showing from the Big East in this year’s draft. Now some analysis.

Hasheem Thabeet is a good defender and a great shot blocker. But unlike what Jay Bilas (whom I usually respect) said on the draft, he does foul. A lot. Even if they are not called every time. He should have fouled out of several more games than he did this past season, and should have found out after about 2 overtimes in the epic Syracuse game in MSG. While he will fit in nicely in Memphis, he does not deserve the dap he's getting lately.

Nice to see the fine folks from Louisville be rewarded with two first round picks after a nice season and a good run in the NCAA Tournament.

Best value picks in the draft; Dante Cunningham at 33 and DeJuan Blair at 37. DeJuan Blair is one of the best rebounders in the draft and was a steal for San Antonio at 37. DaJuan Summers (how did anyone from a terrible G’town team make it) is also a great value to Detroit at 35.

AJ Price squeaked in and may not make the Indiana team as they already have Jarrett Jack on the team. However he could re-sign thereby making AJ hit the bricks. Price isn’t that remarkable for a point guard and they got their marquee player in the first round with Tyler Hansbrough.

So that was the draft. No liveblog this year. Again. Sorry about that, but I wasn’t going to sit through five plus hours of coverage this year. Maybe next time. Either way, in summary the Big East is awesome, European players are overrated, and UConn… U SUCK!

This probably tastes like tomato and ass.

As you loyal readers know I currently live in Springfield, Massachusetts. In case you aren’t familiar with the area my apartment is about five minutes from the State of Connecticut. Thus I am sadly subject to the marketing machine that is the University of Connecticut. Thus this was on television during one of my DVR’ed programs.


I just about threw my remote at my television. I figured I was safe in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Apparently not. So I leave it to you the viewers. Is this the worst advertisement for a football team you have ever seen? At least it isn’t this masterpiece.

Because Matt's been too busy to post stuff like this. Sorry little Calhoun.

Peter knows how to do it.

My time is thinner this time of the year due to my school workload. I have a motion due this week and a trial the next. Therefore my time to blog is thin, but over the past few days there have been some really juicy things to talk about. Thus, it is time for a seldom used here, but often impact filled “grinding gears” segment made famous by one of this country’s most eloquent poets Peter Griffin. Additionally, I just provide my commentary on several issues on the hot stove. Less gear grinding, more commentary and analysis that you’ve come to expect from Orange::44. Maybe there’ll be a Lloyd Carr rumor. You never know!

Connecticut Violations
If you know me, or have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I hate UConn for several reasons. However, additionally if you know me you know that for the past several years I have been saying that UConn recruits dirty and they Calhoun will sometime be involved in recruiting violations at some point in his career. Sure enough it finally happened. The NCAA has launched an investigation, but it seems like the proof is already at hand. Asked to comment earlier last week and Jim Calhoun basically denied a lot of the stuff, seemed uninterested, and didn’t seem to care about what the investigation was about or anything like that. However, later was a much different tune as a more contrite Calhoun admitted that a mistake could have been made. Yeah, apparently so. The original Yahoo! Sports report seemed to have plenty of facts including phone records and records of text messages to prove, based on the preponderance of the evidence, that violations have occurred. It will be interesting to see what the NCAA does. Do I think any games will be taken away from Connecticut? Probably not as Miles, the player at the center of this controversy, never played a game for Connecticut (because he was tossed off the team for violating a restraining order before the season even started. Great pick UConn!). But will UConn get hit with fines, lose scholarships, and be banned from postseason play? It is quite possible, as the main violation is not that these things happened, but rather that they happened, UConn knew about them, and did nothing about it.

UConn Linebacker Kijuan Dabney
One of the secondary missions of this notebook is to chronicle the off the field legal issues that fellow Big East and oppositional players get into. We take extra pleasure here at Orange::44 when it happens to be from UConn, for good reasons. Junior Linebacker Kijuan Dabney was arrested early Sunday morning at the UConn Student Union for a fight with another UConn student according to the Hartford Courant. He was charged with second degree breach of peace and had to be removed from the university sponsored event at the Union. Dabney started all 12 football games for Connecticut as a freshman, mostly on special teams as a strong safety, and six games last season as a reserve linebacker. He is expected to return to the team as the reserve linebacker this fall. Dabney is currently out on $500 bail. Leave it to UConn football to not even suspend a guy a game or something for getting into a fight. Then again this is nothing new for Coach Randy Edsall, who has a nice track record of letting his players run buck wild. I can get the proof, but unless you are a UConn fan trolling my site, you can take my word for it. Frankly UConn fans and Syracuse fans alike should remember the UConn player’s incident at the Wingz Over Storrs when a manager got punched because a player wanted to use a stolen credit card.

“The ‘Ville”
Honestly, congratulations to Louisville for making it to the Elite 8. But really, does anyone think a basketball pep band should wear hockey jerseys? Yeah I’m a band geek and I analyze this kind of stuff but I’ll take the hit on this one. I take pride in my past, as again if you are a long time reader you know I was in the Sour Sitrus Society, the basketball pep band at Syracuse. I’ve been in the band when we received standing ovations at the Big East Tournament, and had other bands decline to play because we were better than them. Now, Louisville’s band sounded alright, but to be foolish enough to think that you look alright at a basketball game in a hockey jersey is a complete dork and has a serious slipping grip on reality. Wearing a rugby, t-shirt, polo shirt, hell even a shirt and tie would be alright, but a hockey jersey makes no sense at all. On top of that it just says “The ‘Ville”. Come on. Put Louisville, or even just “L’ville” because that is how you say it. But to have “The ‘Ville”? Please. Way to look ridiculous on national television over and over again.

The Old Ball Coach
Doug Marrone has gotten right down to business. I have it on good authority that the only thing he has on his desk in his office are his computer monitor and a big, white binder that says “The Plan” on it. Seriously. Already he has had players tackling in drills, and some players are complaining about the work they have had to put in for Marrone. To that I say damn right. Your ass should be dragging after a good practice. You’re a football player. You should be tough enough to hack it during practice, and if not you should quit. Football isn’t for pansies. Oh and what a novel concept, having players actually tackling in practice. Does anyone miss Greg? Not Greg the elloquent wordsmith, but Greg the football coach mind you.

Starting QB
Marrone, based on a week of practice has decided that Redshirt Freshman Ryan Nassib will be the starting quarterback for your Syracuse University football team. Frankly if Marrone is that impressed with him then that is good enough for me right now, considering the season is 156 days away. Second string is now Cantley, who endeared himself to Orange Football fans everywhere by leading the comeback victory over Notre Dame in South Bend last season. Andrew “I guess I’m not very good at being quarterback after all” Robinson has either chosen, or the coaching staff has recommended, to make the switch to tight end. This is much like the epic switch Matt Saracen made from QB to wide receiver on the popular television drama Friday Night Lights (thankfully renewed for two more seasons). Robinson probably knows the routes already, so he could prove to be an ample target, and could be utilized in possible trick plays in the future. However, judging by his completion percentage as a starter that is probably a terrible idea.

Happy Birthday To Us
What a strange trip it has been. Orange::44 turned four this March. It seems like only yesterday I joined writing for this notebook at the behest of my good friend and mentor Matt Glaude. As I like to say, even if we aren’t the best, we were definitely the first. In the past I have posted some of my favorite stories that are the best representation of what this notebook produces, but I will forgo that again this season and wait until our fifth anniversary. Yes, I promise you there will be a fifth. However, I do have to thank some people because in this internet age, four years (starting March 12th of 2005) is a long time. Thanks to Matt Glaude for starting the site and giving me a chance to write for it, even when at the beginning some of my articles were not very good at all. Also thanks to him for continuing to blog after handing over the reigns to Orange::44, as he is brilliant and hilarious. Thanks to all the SU bloggers out there for reading and being so supportive and talented themselves. Special thanks to Brent Axe (The Axeman), Sean at Nunes/Magician, Danny at The Sport Hump, and all of The Three Idiots for being so awesome and continuing to do great work. Thanks to all the other talented Big East bloggers out there for stopping by, trading knowledge, and realizing that we can all have some good fun at each other’s expense once in a while. Thanks to my network of friends and informants that continue to tip me off to the inner workings of the Athletic Department, especially those that would surely get in trouble if they knew they were friends with a blogger. Keep up the good work guys, and your secrets are safe with me. That is those that I can’t post here. I also have to thank the Athletic Department, because without some amazing incompetence or overstated minor victories, as well as extreme ineptitude or success on the field of play, half the fodder for this notebook would not exist. The mission of chronicling the daily disaster that is Syracuse University Athletics is not taken lightly around here. Finally, thanks to you, the average reader for continuing to stop by and enjoy some Syracuse stories, analysis, commentary, reporting, or just plain goofiness. On occasion we strike a chord that resonates across the internet, but more often than not we just plug along, giving you information that you can just find in a box score, but somehow you find what I write entertaining or enjoyable enough to waste your time here. For that I’m grateful and continue to be inspired to write new and occasionally funny articles. I have to take breaks here and there because of real life, but you are the reason that I keep coming back, occasionally against better judgment. Maybe some day I’ll actually let someone else write for this… but I doubt it. As for me, I’ll be here so as always GO ORANGE!

PS - Maybe someday I'll stop saying "we" and just say "I" because it's just me around here.

There is no question that myself, as well as my blogging cohort Matt Glaude of Hoya Suxa are certified Hoya Haters. But you are probably saying to yourself “I think I’m a Hoya Hater”. Well, now you too can be certified as a true blue orange Hoya hater. If you pass this certification test that is.

Instructions:
Pick the best answer or the answer that most fits you, then score accordingly.

Quiz
Question 1:
When you hear the word Georgetown you immediately think:
1. F#*kers!
2. I hope they lost today.
3. Did they lose today?
4. What’s Georgetown?

Question 2:
Beating Georgetown gives you the feeling of:
1. Cotton candy, sunshine, and rainbows.
2. Warm laundry.
3. An orgasm.
4. Nausea.

Question 3:
True or False: You think “[Georgetown] is the very dirtiest hole I ever saw for a place of any trade, or respectability of inhabitants.”

Question 4:
When you see a bulldog, you think:
1. What an ugly mutt.
2. How cute!
3. Get that thing away from me.
4. Can someone kick that?

Question 5:
In your closet, the majority of your t-shirts are:
1. Maroon.
2. Grey.
3. Navy.
4. Orange.

Question 6:
When you think of a typical Georgetown student, you think:
1. Gosh he’s quite white.
2. I wonder how big his boat is?
3. He doesn’t look like a Kennedy.
4. What a douche.

Question 7:
You think a typical activity of an average Georgetown student is:
1. Yachting.
2. Poking a sleeping homeless man.
3. Wearing dress shirts that are colored with white collars.
4. Shopping for cars with “daddy’s money”.

Question 8:
You thought about applying to Georgetown, but then you realized:
1. I actually like myself.
2. I’m not nearly snooty… snotty…snooty enough.
3. I don’t got the skoolin’ for that.
4. I’d prefer to get a degree from an institution of actual higher learning.

Question 9:
If someone with a Georgetown sweatshirt came to your place you would:
1. Ask them politely to take it off.
2. Make them stand outside.
3. Rip it off of them.
4. Douse them in lighter fluid and ignite said person.

Question 10:
True or False: You never speak the name Thompson.

Question 11:
True or False: You think Georgetown running a “back door cut” means JTIII is secretly gay.

Question 12:
True or False: You feel bitter anytime you hear anything “is now closed”.

Question 13:
True or False: Anytime someone asks for the time, and it is announced, you say “… and Georgetown still sucks”.

Question 14:
True or False: Your mother is a Hoya.

Question 15:
If you ever saw John Thompson on the street you would:
1. Make a snide comment to him.
2. Give him the stink eye.
3. Attempt to pee on him.
4. Run up to him and shove that old man down.

Now that you’re done tally your score accordingly.

Answer Key
Question 1:
1. 4 points
2. 2 points
3. 1 point
4. -3 points

Question 2:
1. 4 points
2. 1 point
3. ½ a point, and get some help
4. -5 points, and kiss your girlfriend for me

Question 3:
True is 5 points, False is -5 points. Get a clue.

Question 4:
1. 4 points
2. 0 points
3. 2 points
4. 0 points. We here at Orange::44 do not condone animal abuse. But you have the right idea.

Question 5:
1. 0 points. You went to Colgate didn’t you?
2. 0 points
3. 0 points. This was a trick.
4. 4 points

Question 6:
1. 2 points
2. 1 point
3. 2 points
4. 4 points

Question 7:
1. 1 point
2. 2 points
3. 4 points
4. 3 points

Question 8:
1. 2 points
2. 2 points
3. -2 points. Be sure to download an application to the University of Connecticut at Storrs.
4. 4 points

Question 9:
1. 2 points
2. 4 points
3. 2 points
4. -4 points. Orange::44 also does not endorse murder.

Question 10:
True is 5 points, False is 0 points.

Question 11:
True is 5 points, False is 0 points.

Question 12:
True is 5 points, False is 0 points.

Question 13:
True is 5 points and you were in the Sour Sitrus Society, False is 0 points.

Question 14:
True is -20 points, False is 5 points.

Question 15:
1. 2 points
2. 1 point
3. 4 points
4. 3 points

If your point total is 52 or higher congratulations! You are a certified Hoya Hater. Make yourself a certificate and e-mail me for my address. I’ll be happy to sign it and mail it back to you. If you got 51 points or less, sadly you either went to Georgetown, know someone that went to Georgetown and are alright with it, or you just are not enough of a hater. Or your Mother is a Hoya, which is probably the most unfortunate bit of news. If you like, also leave your name and score in the comments, while slandering the Hoyas. It will make you feel good. I’ll be back tomorrow with my preview for the Georgetown game, and some reporting directly from Syracuse, New York in preparation for the Orange Out and the game against Georgetown.

It is not hard to fool voters in any capacity.

The latest polls for NCAA Division 1 Basketball have been released, as they are traditionally this day of the week. After #1 Duke (they should have never been at the top) lost last week to Wake Forrest, by default that they keep winning, Connecticut is the new #1 team in America. While they may or may not deserve this distinction is a topic for another article on another day, I simply want to point out one simple truth. The last time Connecticut was #1 in the nation was in 2006, during the week of every conference tournament. Connecticut had a first round bye in the Big East Tournament and because 9th seeded Syracuse beat Cincinnati on a last second three point runner from Gerry McNamara, Syracuse then had to face Connecticut. As you hopefully know, Syracuse ended up winning that game in overtime, thus beating the #1 team in the country. You get off the bus, you play the game, you get on the bus, you go home.

Syracuse plays UConn the one and only time during the regular season Wednesday February 11, 2009 at 7:00pm in Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut. I’ll be there, chronicling all the ridiculousness, and hopefully some upset magic.

Also, 12 more days until we Orange Out The Dome versus Georgetown.

Syracuse students agree: This is one of the two biggest games of the year.

This is not an ordinary preview. Similarly, that is the clear result of tonight’s game not being just an ordinary game. In its simplest description, it is just a rivalry game in the Big East Conference, but we all know we are not viewing any average rivalry game. While North Carolina/Duke seems to be the focus of most media attention when it comes to NCAA Basketball rivalries, fans of Syracuse, Georgetown, the Big East, and knowledgeable basketball fans know that this Georgetown/Syracuse rivalry is something more. This is a game with meaning, not only in the Big East, but in the College Basketball world as a whole. A clear victory tonight would insure that Syracuse is back, and back on the right track to the NCAA Tournament. It would also prove that Syracuse is deserving of a top ten ranking.

Numbers be damned though. This is the case of two teams taking the floor in the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. In the “Phone Booth”. These two teams will attack each other from all angles, with two veteran coaches leading their respective teams in a mix of hatred and talent. This may be the most meaningful Syracuse/Georgetown game, in terms of status and power rankings, that there has been in the last ten years. Hoya Paranoia is sweeping ‘Cuse fans as we want to dismantle this hated rival inside the beltway.

DaJuan Summers is the best player on the team, averaging 14.7ppg, and a three point percentage of 44.9%. Freshman center Greg Monroe also managed to take over the Providence game for them, and get a W. The good news is that Syracuse is perfect on the road this year, including wins over Florida and Kansas in Kansas City. This will be a match up between the #8 and the #12 teams in the nation, so it will be a great game for sure.

However, as a Certified Hoya Hater, I find myself right back in that rabid fan place getting extremely hyped up about this game. Sadly, due to the fact it is a Wednesday, this will be the first game at Georgetown since 2004 I will be missing. But I know, much like last year, that the Verizon Center will be packed with Syracuse alumni cheering loudly for the Orange. Chants of “Your Mother’s A Hoya”, “Hoya Destroya”, and now a favorite “Hoya Suxa” will surely echo from Orange faithful. One thing is for sure, Syracuse needs to emerge victorious from this game to avenge the loss there last year, as well as truly earn and secure their top ten ranking. Georgetown has won the last two games at home against Syracuse, but those are the only two losses in the series for Syracuse in the last ten games. I’m calling Syracuse over Georgetown by seven, with the X Factor being if Paul Harris is effective in rebounding in this game. Take a page from the good Syracuse alumni below, and join in hating on Georgetown. Start here.

Brian Harrison - Certified Husky Hater

It has been a little while since I last joined you, so I figured I would start the school year off right with a completely antagonistic piece. A little while back I wrote an article asking the all important question every Syracuse fan should ask; do I hate Georgetown or UConn more? At that time, especially with the resurgence of Georgetown basketball under GTIII, and the fact we played them at home and away versus just home for UConn, I stated that it was more appropriate to hate Georgetown over UConn. The entire discussion spurred some excellent comments on the blog, as well as some e-mails from some fans providing their own personal form of Hoya hating. But as spring turns to fall that means football is in the air. Coincidentally, Georgetown does not field a D1-A football squad, therefore our attention and hatred once again focuses on hated football rivals. While West Virginia is still tops on my list, attention is still given to the most hated rivals of the conference, and by default that means Connecticut.

Connecticut was in a similar position as Georgetown several years ago. UConn was a D1-AA school, a fledgling program with an ugly on campus stadium that barely would impress Coventry High School. The students were scarcely into football and basically used them to get real shitty real fast. In 2000 the team jumped to D1-A, and then finally joined the Big East Conference as a full football member in 2004 after the entire Big East/ACC fiasco. Since then Syracuse and Connecticut have traded wins on each other’s home stadiums.

As you may have noted, I did mention that I do have some love for Connecticut’s football squad. Now before you jump down my throat like a good Syracuse fan should for me having put the words “love” and “Connecticut” in the same sentence, I do not really mean that I love UConn. On the contrary, I loathe them with as much passion as any Syracuse fan would, if not more. The truth is I have a long and tawdry history with that school in Storrs.

While the sordid details are not worth diving into anymore, it will suffice to say I used to venture on weekends from the virtuous and just hamlet of Syracuse, New York, and drive the four hours to that god forsaken land that claims to be “The Constitution State”, specifically near Storrs, Connecticut all too often in my undergraduate days. At the time I actually managed to enjoy the people I talked to at UConn. Despite popular belief, not everyone at UConn is a complete and utter douche bag. Some of them are actually decent and fun people. I managed to even get to a few Connecticut games not involving my beloved Orange. While I enjoy college football enough to just go to a game no matter who is playing, I realized that I was getting googly eyes for Rentschler Field (“The Rent”), and UConn and it was not good. Therefore I had to recommit myself to not getting fooled by UConn’s bullshit.

I mean, how fair is it that UConn, a state school, gets $90 million to upgrade their facilities. This means that a majority of State Representatives and Senators in the state of Connecticut (most of which actually graduated from UConn [conflict of interest much?] ), and then the Governor, agreed to give $90 million (yes, that’s $90,000,000) of taxpayer money, I’m guessing most of which could give two shits about college football, to the University of Connecticut to build a new football complex. You’re supposed to get money for that stuff through alumni donations (using their own money, not taxes), and you know, winning a few games (although I will say that the inside of the Press Box at the stadium is quite enjoyable).

Adding insult to injury, which is often overlooked, Randy Edsall, the head coach of Connecticut, is a Syracuse man. He played, graduated from, and then coached at Syracuse. While UConn was certainly not a football rival to Syracuse in those days, there has to be something about this that just does not sit right with him otherwise the man has no soul. I know I could not take a job at UConn and sleep at night. I did almost apply to the UConn law school, but I felt if I got in I would look myself in the mirror everyday and think “God do I suck”. Thus, I took the high road and ended up in Springfield where I am much happier. Either way, anyone that goes to Syracuse undergrad and ends up at UConn has some serious issues (talking to you Abby on this one).

I hate the fact that UConn was good last year. WTF was that about? They are picked to finish 7th in the league and they play WVU for the conference title? Of course they rightly got vanquished by the boys from Morgantown, but the simple fact they were there is asinine. I mean, they even made it to a bowl game (which they promptly lost). Actually, that last part isn’t so bad. Either way, it was complete bullshit. They had no business being good.

Then there was this nonsense…

I have written about this before, so there is no use getting into the entire thing again, but those referees blew that call. That UConn ass hole should have known better. This was basically condoned cheating.

You know what else really grinds my gears, the cupcake schedule they always play. Hofstra, at Temple, Virginia, Baylor, at North Carolina are the extent of their non-conference schedule in this upcoming season. They played Maine, Duke, Temple, Akron, and Virginia last year. Seriously? Say what you want about Syracuse, but they have traditionally not played cupcakes. While that has been possibly to the detriment to Syracuse’s win/loss record, at least we get interesting games (i.e. a game that is at least 50% pleasurable to watch).

Briefly, this notebook has also chronicled the various encounters the football players at UConn have had with the local law enforcement in Connecticut. Too numerous to mention again, it will suffice to say that it is not a good idea to bring a stolen credit card to Wingz Over Storrs and then when you get caught punch the manager.

That “Sometimes Love” nonsense has turned to full on hate again. More like I love to hate UConn. There are many valid reasons to yell “UConn… U SUCK!” or “UConn’s Husky” not just at someone from UConn, but just towards the direction of the state of Connecticut in general. These are just a few of mine. Connecticut is certainly not the pinnacle of Big East Football, but they are worthy of some ire from the good and rightly folks in orange. A rival is a rival, and thus a little personal, biased, good natured hate is just what the doctor ordered. So this season, if you are looking for someone to hate, and are just tired of looking at JoePa, try UConn again. It’s like a refreshing beverage; always satisfying.

Football season is just about here, which again means that I will premier my 2008 Football Prospectus, a team by team analysis of the members of the Big East Conference, starting soon. Also, this week I will start my four part series on fellow Elmira, New York native Ernie Davis leading up to the premier of The Express on September 12th. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you decide to shake off the summer cobwebs, get back into Syracuse sports, and stop by regularly here again at Orange::44.