[Rosiak's Blog] Live from Syracuse

[ToddRosiakSays]

Live from Syracuse

Written by: Todd Rosiak


Syracuse, N.Y. -- So I get into town here and what's the first thing I learn? Winter storm warning in effect. GREAT. Like I didn't have enough of that this winter so far back in Milwaukee.

The team is expected to arrive later tonight, presumably just ahead of the of the storm.

Once the 21st-ranked Golden Eagles set foot in the Carrier Dome on Saturday, they'll be facing an Orange team trying like crazy to get off the NCAA tournament bubble for the second time in as many seasons.

Syracuse enters tied for eighth in the Big East standings at 8-9, and with an 18-12 record overall. And while the Orange once again has some great physical talent, like sophomore Paul Harris and freshmen Donte' Greene and Jonny Flynn, they're lacking depth as injuries and defections have left coach Jim Boeheim to rely on a seven-man rotation.

"They really, really get up and down the court," said coach Tom Crean. "They can shoot the ball. I don't know what their percentage is as far as where it ranks in the league -- I don't think it's real high -- but I know they're willing to take them. So we've got to be in a position to challenge that.

"Our defense has got to be outstanding, and we're going to have to control penetration with Jonny Flynn, there's no doubt about that. Donte' Greene and Paul Harris can score inside and out. They've some moments where they've absolutely buried teams. They've also had some moments where teams got back in.

"We're going to prepare to see a team on the road that's very capable and is getting more experience as every day goes by."

Greene, a 6-foot-11 forward, is a matchup nightmare for MU. He leads Syracuse in scoring at 17.4 points per game, and has also knocked down 74 three-pointers.

Harris and Flynn man the backcourt, with Harris leading the way by pulling down 8.3 rebounds per game, and Flynn dishes out 5.2 assists per game while also providing a long-distance threat (48 threes on the season).

Arinze Onuaku is a burly post presence who averages 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Kristof Ongenaet is the other starter at forward, but isn't much of a threat in any one area.



http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/03/07/live-from-syracuse.aspx