Cal Thumps SU

[jonvi]

73 - 59

I got nothing but respect for Cuonzo Martin. I think he's one of the best. I'm not sure what happened at Tenn.

But SU isn't ready for the big leagues this year. I'm seeing an NIT team.

Cooney....3 - 10. Christmas...4 fouls with 13 minutes to go. Ends the game with 8 pts and 8 boards. Meh.....fair numbers for Christmas. The man's a Senior. I htink he needs to figure out what his career choice really is going to be.

And they are SU's studs this year. Lot's and lot's of work ahead for these boys.

 

[MI Nightmare]

It's very early. Cal just came out explosive and shot much better. The zone didn't seem to slow them down much, if any. In these contests if your team is having an off night of shooting while playing against a fast, athletic team shooting near 50%, it's going to get ugly.

Syracuse and Michigan are similar in that both have lost star talent over the past couple seasons and can't simply recruit multiple one-and-dones a la Kentucky, Duke, Kansas...., in order to bounce back immediately. There'll be a higher need for development, along with maturation, throughout the season. At least we both have some talent to work with, some experience and seasoned coaches that will get the most out of that talent by season's end. Could be a bumpy road in the meantime for both though I'd be surprised if either don't make the Tourney (probably R32 - S16 ceilings for both). Hang in there, only a handful of teams look like world-beaters right now.

 

[jonvi]

It's very early. Cal just came out explosive and shot much better. The zone didn't seem to slow them down much, if any. In these contests if your team is having an off night of shooting while playing against a fast, athletic team shooting near 50%, it's going to get ugly.

Syracuse and Michigan are similar in that both have lost star talent over the past couple seasons and can't simply recruit multiple one-and-dones a la Kentucky, Duke, Kansas...., in order to bounce back immediately. There'll be a higher need for development, along with maturation, throughout the season. At least we both have some talent to work with, some experience and seasoned coaches that will get the most out of that talent by season's end. Could be a bumpy road in the meantime for both though I'd be surprised if either don't make the Tourney (probably R32 - S16 ceilings for both). Hang in there, only a handful of teams look like world-beaters right now.

You are the man.

I agree knowing what SU lost the last 3 years. I'm just super disappointed in Cooney and Christmas cause when they both signed on, I thought these two were going to be special. SU needs these two to be all that and a bag of chips.

But as you've mentioned.....SU has plenty of young talent walking in the door this year that are going to see some PT. What doesn't kill ya can only make ya better.

 

[CoolStoryBro]

You are the man.

I agree knowing what SU lost the last 3 years. I'm just super disappointed in Cooney and Christmas cause when they both signed on, I thought these two were going to be special. SU needs these two to be all that and a bag of chips.

But as you've mentioned.....SU has plenty of young talent walking in the door this year that are going to see some PT. What doesn't kill ya can only make ya better.

As soon as Ennis and Grant left the door (which they must regret), our two returning stars being Cooney and Xmas meant this year was going to be an uphill battle. We haven't had a "gap" year in many many years so I think Cuse is due for one.

Bubble team for sure.

 

[MI Nightmare]

Expect a great battle today with Iowa. A potential big W for the resume.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

As soon as Ennis and Grant left the door (which they must regret), our two returning stars being Cooney and Xmas meant this year was going to be an uphill battle. We haven't had a "gap" year in many many years so I think Cuse is due for one.

Bubble team for sure.

Yeah nothing wrong with a gap year....as long as it's only a year lol.

Most programs have to rebuild once in a while.

 

[The Derski]

TEAM PAC 12

 

[elijah]

I like the loss for us, at first I was pretty pissed. But if you think about it, it's not that bad of a loss. Cal played incredible, and certainly seemed like a dangerous team.

But for 'Cuse, we're a young team that needed an early loss. We haven't suffered a loss this early since 2007, it was getting frustrating to watch us make it to 20+ wins and no losses only for the season to fall apart at the end. The loss pointed out our weaknesses early in the season, and I think with some more experience and coaching, this team can actually turn it around into an Elite 8 team.

I don't see any reason for concern unless we lose tonight as well.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

I like the loss for us, at first I was pretty pissed. But if you think about it, it's not that bad of a loss. Cal played incredible, and certainly seemed like a dangerous team.

But for 'Cuse, we're a young team that needed an early loss. We haven't suffered a loss this early since 2007, it was getting frustrating to watch us make it to 20+ wins and no losses only for the season to fall apart at the end. The loss pointed out our weaknesses early in the season, and I think with some more experience and coaching, this team can actually turn it around into an Elite 8 team.

I don't see any reason for concern unless we lose tonight as well.

I love your optimism but I think this Cuse team is much closer to an NIT team than an elite 8 team. Obviously anything can happen in march with match ups/upsets/etc.. but I wouldn't label them an elite 8 team.

Season is very young though so we will see how Cuse and every other team grows

 

[elijah]

Oh, I must have mislead what I meant in that post.

By no means do I think they're an elite 8 team right now. I think they have the potential with the right coaching.

If Kaleb Joseph can control the ball a little better, Trevor cooney can score a bit more and Rakeem Christmas can be a legitimate offensive threat, I think this team had a lot of potential. But that's potential.

Right now, they don't look like much more than a low NCAA seed, or an NIT team.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Oh, I must have mislead what I meant in that post.

By no means do I think they're an elite 8 team right now. I think they have the potential with the right coaching.

If Kaleb Joseph can control the ball a little better, Trevor cooney can score a bit more and Rakeem Christmas can be a legitimate offensive threat, I think this team had a lot of potential. But that's potential.

Right now, they don't look like much more than a low NCAA seed, or an NIT team.

Gotcha. Yeah this years Cuse team is kinda one of those where it's best to lower the expectations(one of the few times a Cuse fan ever should) and they can only surprise you.

This year is more of a develop and gain experience year. If it works great, if not the team is going to be real nice next year regardless.

Boeheim said it best the other day. When recruiting guys he tries to project how long they stay for. Both Ennis and Grant left 1-2 years earlier than projection so it left a bit of a hole. But with the nice class next year and the young talent already here...that hole ain't lasting long

 

[CoolStoryBro]

Yeah nothing wrong with a gap year....as long as it's only a year lol.

Most programs have to rebuild once in a while.

We have an amazing incoming class next year, top ten, if McCullough stays which I assume he will , we will be a killer squad.

Had no expectations for this year, JB tends to get the most of these kind of teams. We will see, much happier with them tonight although a lot to work on.

 

[jonvi]

This was a good exchange. Thanks fella's.

 

[Texas Jefe]

It's way too early in my opinion, to really tell how these teams will do. I would imagine Syracuse will get it going sooner rather than later, I mean they do it every year, it least seems so.