Georgetown @ Syracuse Game Discussion

[DanMcQ]

Frazier, did you miss the ?

I don't think Hollis had an angle to make the pass to Henry because Fair was fouling him from the right as he was "charging" - I have no problem with Hollis taking that shot.

[mfk24]

That's hindsight man. Hollis makes that pass and Henry fumbles it, everyone is asking why Hollis didn't take it himself.

[nodak89]

Aaaaargh!

It was torture watching the game on DVR. Avoided the score successfully while at church. Started out just zipping by commercials but I couldn't stand it so started to ff1 through the slow parts in the second half. I was just so completely awash in catecholamines that it must be what a pheochromocytoma feels like. First I ff'd when the fightin' voldemorts brought the ball across half court and then expanded to when the Hoyas crossed the time line.

I feel like we had our chances to win and missed out on capitalizing. The ascorbic acids had chances to win fall into their laps via questionable whistles (and non-whistles) and made one more play than we did.

Very proud of our Hoyas! Let's choke down this bitter pill and be all the stronger for it.

Harry Saxa!

[blueeagle]

Always hard to accept a loss. My only consolation is that it is early February.

Musberger and Knight were very complimentary of our play. Not that the team should care what others think, but I believe this game will open some eyes.

Again, other people's opinions should not matter to the team. Though some of our guys did not play to their potential, I believe that everyone contributed positively throughtout the game. No finger pointing.

The true test is how we finish conference play. We just need to peak at the right time. With our freshmen playing extended minutes in tou games like these, I am pretty sure

[blueeagle]

... We will be due for a deep run.

Man, these iPad keyboards suck.

Lastly, despite the TO at the end, Jason made it very apparent that he will lead when necessary.

[guru]

Great effort and for the most part good execution. That's a very good Syracuse team - wouldn't mind seeing them again though.

Overall our best full game since Louisville. Let's build on it.

[NoBoumtjeInTheYaYaRoom]

I am surprised to see such negativity. I thought we outplayed them tonight. Missed a lot of good 3 point looks. Especially Markel. And didn't get any of the 50/50 calls (Otto under basket, hollis charge, out of bounds call late, sims taking charge early on). Took a career night fom Joseph to beat us. As for Henry, clearly he didn't play well. But it's hard to expect him to have much rhythm being taken out of the flow with foul trouble. In the end, if Syracuse is a title contender, then so are we. So much positive to take out of this game. Not only does this leave a bad taste in the team's mouth, but they also now realize that they can play with the best.

[Hoyaholic]

This game was a coin flip. Sure a few calls benefitted Syracuse, but none were egregious. Yes, if Hollis gets the benefit of the call on Melo we likely win, but it was a bang-bang play on a hostile court.

This game was like a replay of last year's game at the Dome in terms of flow. Someone had to lose and it sucks that it's us. This makes us 1-5 at the Dome under III, with 3 losses in OT.

I disagree with anyone who thinks we didn't play our best game of the year tonight. What I saw were two great defensive teams impose their wills on their opponent. Remember in the pregame, Musberger chuckled at the thought that we could hold SU to 58 pts. Well, we held them to 55 in regulation. Sure Henry had a tough night, but so did Dion Waiters, who is an alleged lottery pick.

Watching us get shredded on D by Pitt last week made me worried that this might be a soft team that won a few close games but was playing over their heads. After the defensive effort I have seen in the past 3 games, I can't wait for March.

[WVHoyasfan]

Man that game was so dissapointing b/c Gtown should have won that game.They would have if they would have passed up those three in the first halve and drove it to the hole. Yes those threes was open BUT when you start out 1-4 you should realise that you are not hitting the three and should drive it to the hole.

I was wondering what everybody else thought about the charge call on Gtown with under a minute to go in ot.I don't know who it was maybe Otto but I thought he got clearly fouled by two guys.Those two fts would have given us the lead BUT instead they called a charge call which was a terrible call imo.

[LizziebethHoya]

I'm not going to read all 20 pages that have been generated since I've last visited these boards, but this is my simple impression of the game:

We played with heart and passion, but we did not play especially well. We missed a ton of shots, and that's just the way it was. We had no inside offensive presence, although we rebounded well both offensively and defensively. The turnovers were careless mistakes and our frosh played all of their minutes with all their might, but were simply outmatched. I don't think the refs were especially good/fair this game, but thats mostly besides the point. They are not totally to blame.

That said, Syracuse is not a national championship contender. They are not nearly on the level of Ohio State and Kentucky. Kudos to them for pulling this one out, and making shots when it mattered, but whatever. If they are really the #2 team in the nation, this game wouldn't have been this close.

We are a good team that has a lot of heart. We are a young team with a bright future. Regardless of the outcome, I love this team.

[Hoyaholic]

OSU barely beat an average Purdue team last night. SU is every bit as good as OSU.
We missed a bunch of inside shots, but made a TON of midrange shots and free throws.

[alleninxis]

seems like after every game it's said..'but they're not THAT good'.. Kansas, Louisville, Alabama, Memphis, West Virginia, Uconn..resulted in a few comments of the same. some valid, some not. But, I mean do we have to go play at Kentucky to get the big test?

If you limit Syracuse in transition, yes..they can come crashing back down to earth..but hardly anyone has been able to force them into the game we did tonight...they've been running a lot of teams right off the floor. We outplayed them but couldn't shut the door.

I do think lack of a half court game will come back to bite them in a Sweet 16 or Regional Final game, but if they're not a top 3-5 caliber team right now, who really is?

[OldHoyafan]

This was really the first game that Wrights graduation hurt the Hoyas. Clark has done an admirable job running the team in the absense of Markel's development. Tonight Wright would have penetrated the defense as Bobby Knight kept imploring the Hoyas to do and set up Otto for midrange jumper or Hollis for a 3pt shot. Markel has regressed since the Kansas game. He played confidently in that game but has become increasingly timid since. I hope the young man regains his confidence. The feigned big smile after he makes a basket is indicative of him trying to convince himself that he is good. If you were good enough to get a scholarship to Georgetown, trust your abilities and just play. As the saying goes "its better to have tried and failed, than not to have tried at all".

[Ranch Dressing]

It will be viewed as a good loss that won't hurt us at all assuming we beat SJU this weekend.

Now that ND is on a roll, it is pretty important that we beat them on our home floor.

Our zone defense is great. Our offensive efficiency is sometimes terrible. Very interesting. Not a typical JTIII team.

We out rebounded Puke by 17 tonight. Impressive stat. Boeheim was upset about it.

We can beat Puke at MSG.

[KirbyKeger]

I'm with you alleninixis. I'm very tired of our success being attributed to the opposition not being as good as we thought. Maybe some people are just a bit hesitant to give this team credit because they're afraid of another early round exit. In any case, I think we can play with anyone in the country. We will be a very tough out in the tournament with this group.

[RDF]

Markel Starks has rest of season to either grow up and improve or be recruited over. If you can't handle the press and you are a PG--then no reason to play and thankfully III isn't doing so. Problem is--nobody on this roster is a guy who is a natural PG--although Jabril penetrated and drew defense better then Starks has his entire career. Then the poor 30 footers. Just horrendous decision making and impatience. He was awful imo--and if that doesn't change--it puts so much pressure on Jason Clark and he's answered--but time for Jabril to jump Starks in rotation and go with Hollis at 2G with Jason as PG. A message has to be sent to Starks because he's not understanding. That tenative crap against pressure was pathetic. That has to improve or you can't play D1 point guard. Ugh.

Good fight from team and found a way to get into OT and almost pull it out despite playing a C level offensive game.

Henry started strong, lost rhythm with foul trouble, and really tried to do way too much late--he needs to make plays for others--and know his game-which in BE play--he's a 40% shooter--get it to a better shooter. Move the ball or DUNK IT! He's on ground far too much and that just can't happen--you won't get calls and especially late. Go strong or kick it out. But he was trying hard and respect/appreciate that. Which is why Starks play as PG has me beyond angry. Hesitant/passive play doesn't belong on this team and especially this time of year.

You don't deserve to win games when you give away a possession on an inbounds play for the 100,000.000 time! That's not acceptible.

III's team plays better when he doesn't take timeouts late in game. It's amazing how many times they dont' even get a shot and the Hollis Thompson fiasco is inexcusable. He shouldn't have been taken out in the first place. Silly. The move to man to man in OT? WTF? Didn't care for it--but the last 21 seconds made me shake my head and didn't have much confidence once he called timeout. Was just happy Cuse conceded the inbounds pass as I feared a 5 second count or turnover on pass.

Jason Clark was a warrior tonight and not upset with him in any capacity.

Good game for FR to learn from--and learning that you have to make little plays all the time--talking on defense, making sure you don't assume an inbounds pass is automatic (how could they being in this program?) and have to recognize shooters--why is Henry closing on Fab Melo-if he wants to shoot an 18 ft jumper-let him--you live with that make. Can't let him drive and dunk on you. Joseph has 26--guard him--make someone else beat you on rotation-like that middle aged fat ass Jardine (WTF is with Cuse having lard ass PG's? It's called a fork/spoon and not a damn shovel you fat clown) who was trying to be a hero as he did in '08 when he was playing Jeremiah Rivers--yes--Scoop's been around that long.

Just hope Hoyas build off this-and take it out on SJU--need to give those guys a beating and take the frustration out on rest of schedule. Can't feel like anything was accomplished and can't be too down--just serve a beatdown to Redmen and build momentum back up. Key for Sr's--dont' try to be heroes-play strong/tough but know limitations and Jason has done this--Henry--in/out and tonight was about as painful of a non pass as Ashanti bypassing an open Jeff Green who could've given Hoyas lead in BET in III's initial season. PASS THE BALL TO OPEN TEAMMATES!

[Hoyaholic]

Feb 8, 2012 23:13:17 GMT -5 hoyainindia said:

Feb 8, 2012 22:23:47 GMT -5 tarkman said:

Just got back from the game and, of course, I'm disappointed in the outcome; however, I'm not dis-spirited. Syracuse went on an 8-0 spurt to open the 2nd half and completely energized the crowd, but our guys- especially the freshmen- held tough and didn't fold. I very much liked our defensive effort in the face of a really mediocre shooting performance. Its what kept us within striking distance and in position to steal a win. The Dome crowd was much more relieved, than happy, at the end of the game because for the first time I think they realize SUcks just might not be the formidable team they've all bought into. Now if we can get Tom Coughlin to address the team about FINISHING, and I mean plays within two feet of the basket.

As an aside, I noticed that Syracuse had 20 players dressed for the game, all of whom are listed in the game program. An aquaintance who sat near me pointed out that the reason so many kids are on the team is its Syracuse's way of getting around the new academic / graduation thresholds imposed by the NCAA. He claims they pad the team GPA with outstanding students that happen to also "walk-on" the team. I would hope the NCAA is smart enough to close this loophole, if true, but thought it spoke volumes to how one would expect Syracuse to conduct itself.

Show the team some love on Sunday to get them back on track.

Sick. Any online evidence I can use to throw in some faces?

Here are the roster counts for the Big East:

SU - 18
Marquette - 10
ND - 11
GU - 12
UL - 14
Cincy - 13
USF - 11
WVU - 13
UCONN 16 (Hmm...I wonder how their averages improved from last year??)
SHU - 12
Pitt - 14
RU - 14
Nova - 12
SJU - 13
DePaul - 12
PC - 15

Some other notable programs:
UK - 13
UNC - 16
Duke - 13
KU - 13

If this is true, this need to become a major story. I don't know how the academic requirements work, but I seriously hope they cannot be circumvented simply by padding one's bench with STUDENTS, so the ATHLETES get to play without having to go to class. Can anyone cite the actual rules?

As an aside, Let's also not forget that Boeheim was the one leading the charge a few years back for coaches to be officially referred to as "teacher-coaches". Yes, "teacher-coaches" indeed.

[sleepy]

Feb 9, 2012 1:12:35 GMT -5 RDF said:

The move to man to man in OT? WTF? Didn't care for it--

Go back and rewatch the game. We were in man to man the last 5 minutes of regulation except on inbounds(when we always go zone). The man shut them down at the end, although there were a few breakdowns in overtime.

[RDF]

Feb 9, 2012 2:23:54 GMT -5 sleepy said:

Feb 9, 2012 1:12:35 GMT -5 RDF said:

The move to man to man in OT? WTF? Didn't care for it--

Go back and rewatch the game. We were in man to man the last 5 minutes of regulation except on inbounds(when we always go zone). The man shut them down at the end, although there were a few breakdowns in overtime.

Played some matchup zone--which can look like man but problem is-when facing a shooter--you lose your man--it's over-he's getting a look--in zone-the area is on 1 person and his responsibility.

Oh well--it's over now--but would've been nice to pull this one out.

[HoyaPride]

Bottom line (at least mine).
1) Sucks to lose in that hole. period.
2) Play with that same energy, focus and we win out.
3) Freshman got some serious run last night which will help them come tourney time.
4) Use this as a positive and come out and bury SJU