Syracuse Favored

[Buffaloboy]

Cuse's zone is familiar to this team and that alone is a major factor teams like Indiana didnt have.  They are playing well and I expect a great Big East battle.

I think there is a lot of truth to that. BUT remember that the zone you saw two months ago is not the same you will see on Saturday.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Mu has a some things that most teams dont when facing the zone:

1)A couple of solid post up players that can pull off a very formiddable High low tandem.
2)Tall enough players that can hit that 15-16 foot shot on a consistent basis in the middle of that zone.
3)A very good passing post player

#2 makes #1 very difficult on the zone.  Most teams are not really thinking about taking that 15 footer.  Then on top of that they arent posting on the low blocks at the same time.  

[Buffaloboy]

No doubt 'Cuse is playing well right now.  Two really good teams that know each other well.  Meet you in the alley behind the bar Saturday afternoon.

Sounds fun!

[NavinRJohnson]

Who is hotter in the last 2 weeks? I'm not talking all year. I'm talking last 2 weeks. What other team has beaten 3 ranked teams in the last 2 weeks?

Louisville dismantled Cuse? Did you watch the game or just see the box score? Cuse was up by almost 20.

Yes, and then they crumbled in unbelievable fashion. They were completely dismantled in that second half.

They beat three ranked teams in the last two weeks. Great. They also had their asses handed to them in the last two weeks. They've won exactly three games on a row. Good for them.

I really don't care who's been hotter. If they plan to hang their hat on that in Saturday, then I may as well make my travel plans for Atlanta right now.

[connie]

Both teams have changed since Feb.  I agree 'cuse is playing the best it has all year, but so is Marquette. A 20 point margin over a team that knows yours well in what will likely be a controlled possession game does hurt your credibility.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I happen to agree with Buffaloboy. This is a very tall order for us.

[GGGG]

I think there is a lot of truth to that. BUT remember that the zone you saw two months ago is not the same you will see on Saturday.

Why?  MU has not only seen Syracuse's zone two months ago...they saw it last year...and the year before.

Boeheim said it himself this morning - he would rather play a team that hasn't seen it.  There is no doubt that MU has the advantage of playing against it.  Now that doesn't mean that MU will win.

[RawdogDX]

Just checked an online gambling website and 4-seed Syracuse is favored by 4 points on Saturday over 3-seed Marquette, despite us beating them earlier this year, finishing ahead of them in the same league, and beating Syracuse three of the last four times we played.

I expected as much, and expect all the national media to pick 'Cuse for the Final Four. Bring on te disrespect, we thrive on it!

You have got to be kidding me. 

[GGGG]

I happen to agree with Buffaloboy. This is a very tall order for us.

Oh I agree with that.  But a 20+ point game?  I really doubt that.

[Golden Avalanche]

Who is hotter in the last 2 weeks? I'm not talking all year. I'm talking last 2 weeks. What other team has beaten 3 ranked teams in the last 2 weeks?

Louisville dismantled Cuse? Did you watch the game or just see the box score? Cuse was up by almost 20.

Considering the flameouts by Pitt and GTown and poor play by Indiana in the Temple game I'm not sure this holds as much weight as you think it does. Good teams but not a murderers row.

And, Cuse got dismantled. That choke job was epic.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Oh I agree with that.  But a 20+ point game?  I really doubt that.

I didn't see that part. I doubt that, too.

[jsglow]

Two months ago?  We beat you February 25th.  We've also beaten you 3 out of the last 4 including two years ago as a prohibitive underdog in the NCAA.

Buffalo, we're more than happy to banter with you but you should realize that the folks on this board really know college hoops.  I'm not planning to head to the 'Cuse board and troll.  You guys are a helluva team that can be just electric at times.  Same is true of MU.  See you Saturday.

[LAZER]

I think there is a lot of truth to that. BUT remember that the zone you saw two months ago is not the same you will see on Saturday.

Explain how it's different...

[Buffaloboy]

Oh I agree with that.  But a 20+ point game?  I really doubt that.

It wasn't meant in a disrespectful way.

A 10 point game can turn to a 20 point just in the last 2 minutes because of fouls and free throw shots. Happens all the time.

Marquette is a good team. I just don't see them beating Cuse when they're hot.

[Stronghold]

If you come to our board please contribute knowledge and insightful discussion.  We dont care how excited you are or how much you think youre going to beat us.  Elaborate your reasonings.

[Buffaloboy]

If you come to our board please contribute knowledge and insightful discussion.  We dont care how excited you are or how much you think youre going to beat us.  Elaborate your reasonings.

I'm pretty sure I did? Wrote 3 paragraphs of reasoning...

[NavinRJohnson]

  Elaborate your reasonings.

They're hot. Duh.

[Buffaloboy]

Two months ago?  We beat you February 25th.  We've also beaten you 3 out of the last 4 including two years ago as a prohibitive underdog in the NCAA.

Buffalo, we're more than happy to banter with you but you should realize that the folks on this board really know college hoops.  I'm not planning to head to the 'Cuse board and troll.  You guys are a helluva team that can be just electric at times.  Same is true of MU.  See you Saturday.

I'm sorry for the typo. 1 month ago. Not 2.

Not sure how what you did the last few years matters? We've turned over 3 starters just in the last year alone.

[Buffaloboy]

They're hot. Duh.

Don't be so sensitive. It's just basketball.

[GGGG]

I'm pretty sure I did? Wrote 3 paragraphs of reasoning...

All centered around the "hottest team in the nation" reasoning.  But Syracuse is not the "hottest team in the nation."  Louisville, Ohio State and Kansas are arguably hotter. 

[Buffaloboy]

Explain how it's different...

If you thought I meant the way we move or line up is different, that's not what I'm saying. I meant the players are moving better and faster. They're anticipating passes, and pushing the perimeter.

When Marquette last played Cuse, the Orange were in their worst slump in a couple of years. That gets to players. Obviously.

If I'm wrong, ill be back and take my beating like a man.

[Golden Avalanche]

I'm sorry for the typo. 1 month ago. Not 2.

Not sure how what you did the last few years matters? We've turned over 3 starters just in the last year alone.

As has Marquette.

Which is why that game they played, the one where Cuse was pretty hot shooting 48% last month, is the best precursor both teams have for tomorrow.

[Buffaloboy]

As has Marquette.

Which is why that game they played, the one where Cuse was pretty hot shooting 48% last month, is the best precursor both teams have for tomorrow.

Ok

[LAZER]

If you thought I meant the way we move or line up is different, that's not what I'm saying. I meant the players are moving better and faster. They're anticipating passes, and pushing the perimeter.

When Marquette last played Cuse, the Orange were in their worst slump in a couple of years. That gets to players. Obviously.

If I'm wrong, ill be back and take my beating like a man.

Damn I thought I was actually going to get some nice insight.

[Buffaloboy]

Damn I thought I was actually going to get some nice insight.

I'm sorry disappointed you?