Spin Doctors

[4everwarriors]

Can't wait to read about the positives to take into the BE Tourney and beyond from this game.

[scooter]

no injuries???

[MUDPT]

The defense in the second half was awful.  Led by "Big East Defensive Player of the Year" who can't stop a 6'8" guy on a fast break and just reaches out, because of sheer laziness. Turning point of the game, in my opinion.  This team is hit or miss.  They get down by 10 in the second half they lose, they get up by 10 in the second half we win, usually (see last week).

The ONLY positive, is that ND awaits us in the second round if we beat Seton Hall.  And Len Elmore is an idiot if he thinks that: 1. Seton Hall is any good.  2. They will have a home game at MSG.  If we lose to Seton Hall, we deserve a 10 seed.

[TJ]

Led by "Big East Defensive Player of the Year" who can't stop a 6'8" guy on a fast break and just reaches out, because of sheer laziness. Turning point of the game, in my opinion.

I think he was worried about his foul situation at the time, but I'm not sure - don't remember how many he had anymore.

However - that's just one play.  The defensive effort was not good throughout the game.

[TJ]

Can't wait to read about the positives to take into the BE Tourney and beyond from this game.

So you know how we feel waiting for all of your negatives now?  That's a positive.

[SoCalwarrior]

The defense in the second half was awful.  Led by "Big East Defensive Player of the Year" who can't stop a 6'8" guy on a fast break and just reaches out, because of sheer laziness. Turning point of the game, in my opinion.  This team is hit or miss.  They get down by 10 in the second half they lose, they get up by 10 in the second half we win, usually (see last week).

The ONLY positive, is that ND awaits us in the second round if we beat Seton Hall.  And Len Elmore is an idiot if he thinks that: 1. Seton Hall is any good.  2. They will have a home game at MSG.  If we lose to Seton Hall, we deserve a 10 seed.

I agree in regards to that play being the game turner.  Lazar gets trapped near the basket and gets the ball pulled out of his hands.  Mcneal plays lazy defense.  But not to be outdone, Lazar comes roaring back to foul after the ball is already dunked.

That said, I like the six seed better.  As CT said, it's all about match-ups with this team.  

[CTWarrior]

I'll give it a shot.

Well, you had to kinda expect this.  Syracuse REALLY needed this game while our position in the NCAA tournament is secure.  Besides, we're better off as the six seed in the BE tournament because we avoid UConn in the second round.  Coach used this game to give valuable experience to Blackledge and Christopherson in a hostile environment.  The refs killed us.  There were locusts!

Actually, I think this loss is a killer in that our NCAA seeding is plummeting.  I think we're a 7 now.  When you think about it, our season profile isn't a whole lot different than last year when we were all expecting a 5 or 6 and ended up with an 8.

[NavinRJohnson]

Turning point in my opinion was when Fitz missed an open 3, and Syracuse came down and immediately hit one -- Johnny Flynn I believe. Huge, 6 point swing and the game was pretty much over.

Also, why do I keep hearing we will get ND in the second round. If tehy happen to lose, and UConn wins, I am pretty sure UConn wins the tie breaker. That's a nightmare scenario.

[🏀]

Love the 6th seed

[scooter]

What Big East games are remaining now that could affect seeding?

[TJ]

Also, why do I keep hearing we will get ND in the second round. If tehy happen to lose, and UConn wins, I am pretty sure UConn wins the tie breaker. That's a nightmare scenario.

Because ND is playing South Florida.  It could happen... we just don't think it will.

[scooter]

honestly though, I can't really imagine a scenario where you want to lose a game.  We really would have been better off to win right?  Duh.  So we can't seriously justify the way we played

[NavinRJohnson]

What Big East games are remaining now that could affect seeding?

All of them pretty much. If ND loses and UConn wins, UConn is the 3 seed. Heck, the 12th team isn't even settled yet.

[TJ]

honestly though, I can't really imagine a scenario where you want to lose a game.  We really would have been better off to win right?  Duh.  So we can't seriously justify the way we played

Not at all.  I doubt losing for BET seeding would even cross the team's mind.  It just happens to be what happened.  Definitely not on purpose at all though.

[🏀]

Let's be honest here. Mbakwe played a lot. SC was in very early as was Trend. This doesn't happen when you're trying to win the game.

[tower912]

Ya play horsebleep basketball, ya get horsebleep results.

[NavinRJohnson]

Well I hope they are heading home before they had to NYC because they obviously forgot to pack their intensity and their defense. We are going to need both at MSG.

[79Warrior]

Let's be honest here. Mbakwe played a lot. SC was in very early as was Trend. This doesn't happen when you're trying to win the game.

Trud dat, and the reason was because we were getting the stuffing knocked out of us. Extremely disappoint game by MU, totally whipped inside. Make all the excuses you want, this is not the way you want to enter the BE tourney. I think we are one and done.

[TJ]

Let's be honest here. Mbakwe played a lot. SC was in very early as was Trend. This doesn't happen when you're trying to win the game.

Barro had foul trouble and Mbakwe is his current replacement.

Trend was in to try to give us more size, but I suppose that is a bit of a head-turner.

SC playing was very confusing.  The only one there that might make you think that.

However - they never try not to lose the game.  This loss could kill us in seeding if we only win 1 BET game.  I refuse to believe there's any chance MU tanked the game.

[NavinRJohnson]

Let's be honest here. Mbakwe played a lot. SC was in very early as was Trend. This doesn't happen when you're trying to win the game.

Well, there's that, and there is also the possibility that the coach is pissed at his players on the floor and is looking for some better effort, and there is also the possibility he is trying to use his depth to wear down a very thin opponent. If you think they didn't care about winning the game, I can only assume you have never watched this team play before.

[TJ]

I think we are one and done.

In which tournament?  Even if they play like they did today they still have a shot to beat Seton Hall (current #11 seed) - so I must guess you are talking about the NCAA tourney.

[scooter]

TJ - exactly my point - we did not play this way on purpose. If we tanked this game, that's an embarrassment to the university

[nyg]

Couldn't wear down the opponent because we passed the ball around their zone for 25 seconds, then took an outside shot and usually missed or fouled.  Gave Cuse and their seven players time to catch their breath.

[TJ]

TJ - exactly my point - we did not play this way on purpose. If we tanked this game, that's an embarrassment to the university

I completely agree, but there's no way that happened.  We played like crap, but not on purpose.

[79Warrior]

I think we are one and done.

In which tournament?  Even if they play like they did today they still have a shot to beat Seton Hall (current #11 seed) - so I must guess you are talking about the NCAA tourney.

Both if we don't play with our hair on fire. SH will have homecourt as the fans just have to cross the river to MSG.