12/11: (6) Syracuse vs. (11) Florida

• Leonardo

  

  9 PM on ESPN
• killer_ewok

  

  I'm hoping my Orange get the win here. That 2-3 Zone has been very active and the 'Cuse is playing the best defense that I maybe have ever seen them play (20+ years). Wes Johnson is such a versatile player. I could see him being a 2nd team all-American this season. I never imagined that Syracuse would be THIS good after losing Flynn, Harris and Devendork. Triche, Jardine, Johnson, Onuaku, Jackson and co. have really impressed me.
  
  Anybody got any Florida info?
  
  GO 'CUSE!
• killer_ewok

  

  Not sure how I forgot about Andy Rautins but he's having a helluva year too. I've come to expect that from Andy though.
• Cha'DIch

  The Orange beat them last year, and I don't see why they can't beat them this year.
  Speaking of Brandon Triche, I still haven't, and probably never will, forgive his uncle Howard for allowing Keith Smart to shoot the ball over him in the title game. As a fan, that is still one of the most painful losses I have had to deal with.
  Also, I think his cousin, Jason Hart, was a very good point guard for the Orange. It would be nice if he could get some more minutes for the Timberwolves this year.
• killer_ewok

  

  Jason Hart was damn good. He, Ryan Blackwell, Etan Thomas and Allen Griffin had a nice run during their time at Syracuse.
• Huskers

  Give me the Cuse. I have to pull for the Big East.
• Azubuike24

  

  Syracuse's defense has been very impressive. Florida is still looking for an identity and they haven't been able to consistently make the interior passes in the open spots of the Cuse zone. They have stayed in it with pure shooting talent. It's tough because they aren't suited to play a team like Syracuse, but it's nice to get experience against the best zone in the country.
  
  I do think Florida has missed opportunities to get some rebounds with Tyus and Macklin. Syracuse has been able to score anywhere on the court when they have been pushed by the Gators. The biggest question for me is where is Kenny Kadji? This guy was one of the best big men recruits last year and you would think in this game he would get more minutes against the interior length of Syracuse.
  
  73-69 Syracuse, a little over 3 minutes left. Might be a good finish.
• Azubuike24

  

  Live by the 3, die by the 3. Florida was too one-dimensional near the end and Syracuse executed. Syracuse is very impressive.
• ironman02

  I really like this Syracuse team. After watching them dismantle Carolina, I've paid pretty close attention to them. I'm very impressed with their team as a whole, especially Rautins and Wesley Johnson. Rick Jackson was a beast tonight as well, and he gives them great size inside with Onuaku. I think the Orange could really make some noise this season.
• Mulva

  

  I really wish Calathes would have stayed at Florida. I think they could have been a damn good team.
  
  They're still pretty solid. Cuse has looked great pretty much all season. Good win for them.
• killer_ewok

  

  I was switching back and forth between this game and the Steelers-Browns game. Ugh.
  
  Thank God for the Orange (not Cleveland)! Seriously though, from what I saw.....Jackson played a whale of a game. Triche, Rautins, Johnson, etc. were solid as usual. That zone is so active. I also love that there are no huge ego's and not a lot of show off stuff going on out there. They're playing hard all game and not getting lazy like Devendork and bunch did the last few years. Very nice win for the 'Cuse over Florida down in Tampa.
• hoops23

  

  Killer, you're a 'Cuse fan right?
  
  But about this game, I knew Syracuse was the real deal after dismantling my Heels in the 2nd half of their game. If they continue to improve, I think they are a definite Final Four contender...
• killer_ewok

  

  Yep, have been a 'Cuse b-ball fan for as long as I've been watching college hoops (20+ years). And they do appear to be the real deal this year. I thought they would struggle to make the NCAA's coming into this season.
• hoops23

  

  Yeah, I didn't expect much after they lost to that DII school, even if it was a scrimmage.. But, I know better than to count out a Jim Boeheim coached team..
  
  That 2-3 Zone is as good as ever.
• Cha'DIch

  Great night for the teams in Orange, Syracuse and Cleveland!
• killer_ewok

  

  LTrain23 wrote: Yeah, I didn't expect much after they lost to that DII school, even if it was a scrimmage.. But, I know better than to count out a Jim Boeheim coached team..
  
  That 2-3 Zone is as good as ever.

  It's not about counting out a Boeheim coached team but it was just a few years ago that they were missing the NCAA's regularly and then the most talented players that helped get them over that hump left early. I thought that losing Flynn was huge but Triche is quite the floor general. Not as explosive as flashy or Flynn but he's very poised and gets the job done and done well even though he probably isn't a future lottery pick.
• Huskers

  IMO Syracuse & Kentucky have been the best 2 teams I've had the pleasure of watching on T.V. this young Basketball season; Texas is close behind them.
• pbuck

  Looking back in the game last night both teams are very good it was a well played game & fun to watch IMO