Here is my take on SU.
As they get into conference play, their lack of a front court scoring option in the half court is killing them. Teams are pressuring GMac, forcing him to drive to basket ( his lack of quickness is really showing) or pass off. Teams are extending their defense further out, inviting SU to dump into Roberts and Watkins. Watkins makes Forth look like a gold glove winner and Roberts has no offense off the half court set. He grabs his points off offensive rebounds from weak side. He is shooting 56% from the floor but believe me, most come on dunks. McCroskey has played well in spurts but is woefully inconsistent.
I love GMac but the reality is that he has trouble creating his own shot. He did well when teams had to respect Anthony, Warrick, Edilen, and Duany on the inside and was able to get open jumpers. In confernece play, the defenders are quicker , in his face, and giving him no room. Give him some light and he is capable of shooting the ball as well as anyone. Trouble is that they giving him no room. i expect Krauser, one of the better defenders in the BE, to be shadowing him close again tonite. In case you were not aware, GMac is shooting 33% from the floor this year.
Another major concern is FT shooting. The frontcourt is shooting under 50% ( Roberts - 47%, Watkins 45%, McCroskey 50%, Onuaku - 45%) In a physical match up vs. a team like Pitt, that worries me.
If they beat Pitt, IMHO, it would be their 2nd quality win of the year. Beating Cinncinati on the road qualified but I am not giving them more credit then they deserved for beating Texas Tech on a neutral court. Other then who have they beat? An undersized Notre Dame? On the other hand, Bucknell handled them, Manhatten had them beaten til a miracle, South Florida battled them to the end, and Davidson outplayed them a good part of the game. All these games where at the CARRIER DOME.
SU is not a good team and I can not bet on them. In fact, they will be a go against for me until I see something drastic that changes my mind.
