watching pace of todays games it looks like a trackmeet type game...both are not bashful to run and gun...taking over 151
for small play early...any thoughts?
for small play early...any thoughts?
texas-syracuse thoughts
- Thread starter aldabra
- Start date
syracuse will win the GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really think they will.
Boeheim's 3rd final four will equal his third trip to the finals and most likely third loss!
I really think they will.
Boeheim's 3rd final four will equal his third trip to the finals and most likely third loss!
The Cuse's run ends right here. Count on it.
Ford will be able to penetrate and render that damn zone less effective, and Texas has an array of big bodies they can throw out there. Then there's the experience factor -- Cuse is young and it hasn't bitten them so far, but the Final Four and outside the state of NY will be a different story.
Anone got a # for this one yet?
Ford will be able to penetrate and render that damn zone less effective, and Texas has an array of big bodies they can throw out there. Then there's the experience factor -- Cuse is young and it hasn't bitten them so far, but the Final Four and outside the state of NY will be a different story.
Anone got a # for this one yet?
Gotta be blind if ya did' nt see the talent and athleticism that the 'Cuse" threw at Oklahoma.......They are getting better as they go. Really beat Auburn.......till the threes all fell at the end of that one. Dominated every facet of the game vs OK.
Tex .........may.....may win the boards here but not by much...Cuse is close to CT in that dept and they won by 9 over OK.
Texas........will NOT have 33,000 homeboys at this one, and Cuse also loses the home advantage. That will hurt both as Tex D suffers on the road (77ppg)......Road hurts 'Cuse as much as anyone....margin of victory falls way off.
Penetrate and kick it out eh.....Oh that is something JB has never seen before..... Thats not how CT beat Syracuse.....they beat em down the floor ....in transition...fast breaking and playing very well
(much better than they played at Tex).....They had a good spurt at Tex in the second half but really played better vs 'Cuse" both times....Taliek took it to 'Mac" and led the break....much as TJ should be able to....all day.
Uh........aint gonna stop Carmelo.......he will be in the mid 20s...Jimmy C made him WORK HARD.......big bodies and fresh legs at all times........held him to 29 and what 26 or 7....BUT
dd from the foul line both games......9 for 28 and 9 for 29 shooting....He really had to work for what he got.
CT ......D held 'Cuse under 30% and in low 30s in those games.
If Texas commits to D they can Win this with TJ running the break.
Cuse had bad games vs CT and are playing with a lot more confidence now..........Should be a great game....3 may be too much.....not sure yet.
bear
Tex .........may.....may win the boards here but not by much...Cuse is close to CT in that dept and they won by 9 over OK.
Texas........will NOT have 33,000 homeboys at this one, and Cuse also loses the home advantage. That will hurt both as Tex D suffers on the road (77ppg)......Road hurts 'Cuse as much as anyone....margin of victory falls way off.
Penetrate and kick it out eh.....Oh that is something JB has never seen before..... Thats not how CT beat Syracuse.....they beat em down the floor ....in transition...fast breaking and playing very well
(much better than they played at Tex).....They had a good spurt at Tex in the second half but really played better vs 'Cuse" both times....Taliek took it to 'Mac" and led the break....much as TJ should be able to....all day.
Uh........aint gonna stop Carmelo.......he will be in the mid 20s...Jimmy C made him WORK HARD.......big bodies and fresh legs at all times........held him to 29 and what 26 or 7....BUT
dd from the foul line both games......9 for 28 and 9 for 29 shooting....He really had to work for what he got.
CT ......D held 'Cuse under 30% and in low 30s in those games.
If Texas commits to D they can Win this with TJ running the break.
Cuse had bad games vs CT and are playing with a lot more confidence now..........Should be a great game....3 may be too much.....not sure yet.
bear
How many games in a row can you play great?
How many games in a row can you play great?
Texas is going into the game 4-0 ATS tourney to date,which means to me that they've exceeded expectations with their performance four straight times.Is it realistic to expect them to continue playing better than the number?Maybe,but since they are the last remaining #1 seed and therefore the favorite,I feel that this makes them a bet against in this next game.I know that Marquette is also 4-0 vs the number,but being the longshot that they are maybe it doesn't work against them as much.But I'd like a favorite's chances of winning the national championship a lot better if they were 2-2 vs the number going into this weekend,maybe had a close call getting there. Playing the Orangemen +3 and ML in this one.GL either way
How many games in a row can you play great?
Texas is going into the game 4-0 ATS tourney to date,which means to me that they've exceeded expectations with their performance four straight times.Is it realistic to expect them to continue playing better than the number?Maybe,but since they are the last remaining #1 seed and therefore the favorite,I feel that this makes them a bet against in this next game.I know that Marquette is also 4-0 vs the number,but being the longshot that they are maybe it doesn't work against them as much.But I'd like a favorite's chances of winning the national championship a lot better if they were 2-2 vs the number going into this weekend,maybe had a close call getting there. Playing the Orangemen +3 and ML in this one.GL either way
Edludes- Syracuse is 3-1 ATS so far with the one backdoor loss, so I don't think you should let that scare you away from Texas.
Bear- No offense but didn't you call for UCONN over Texas? I could be wrong on that. I like the Big East too but I don't see howCuse wins this game. Texas has been building toward this for a while, Cuse sorinted here with a bunch of young guys -- don't get me wrong, they are capable and play beyond their years.
I think the Texas big men will be the difference. McNeil and Forth are basically stiffs. Texas big men can pound it inside or step outside and shoot the 3. I've been on the James Thomas bandwagon all year long -- he's like a college Ben Wallace on the boards -- and I think Thomas and Texas will be too tough inside for the Cuse.
Just my thoughts, I also have a +1000 futures on Texas to win it all so I am biased and have liked them for a while now (I'm not a UT fan, by the way). Either way, good luck to guys no matter who you play.
Bear- No offense but didn't you call for UCONN over Texas? I could be wrong on that. I like the Big East too but I don't see howCuse wins this game. Texas has been building toward this for a while, Cuse sorinted here with a bunch of young guys -- don't get me wrong, they are capable and play beyond their years.
I think the Texas big men will be the difference. McNeil and Forth are basically stiffs. Texas big men can pound it inside or step outside and shoot the 3. I've been on the James Thomas bandwagon all year long -- he's like a college Ben Wallace on the boards -- and I think Thomas and Texas will be too tough inside for the Cuse.
Just my thoughts, I also have a +1000 futures on Texas to win it all so I am biased and have liked them for a while now (I'm not a UT fan, by the way). Either way, good luck to guys no matter who you play.
FORTH IS A STIFF, BUT MCNEIL IS FAR FROM A STIFF WHEN IT COMES TO SHOT BLOCKING, REBOUNDING and BEING PHYSICAL, this guys is an VERY important reason that they are even here right now. His downfall is foul trouble. That is why Boeheim plays forth for as long as possible(if he's not getting killed down low) then he brings in McNEil to play crucial minutes. They also do not need scoring from either player as they have several scoring options. In this order: Anthony,Warrick,McNAmara,Edelin,Duany,Pace.
Believe me, McNeil will hold his own down low with thomas and buckman, not points wise but his presence WILL BE FELT, you'll see.
Believe me, McNeil will hold his own down low with thomas and buckman, not points wise but his presence WILL BE FELT, you'll see.
Depth in the low post is definitely a weak spot on their roster. Forth and McNeil will rotate at center. McNeil can indeed block shots and has shown flashes of offensive skill. He's not a world-beater on the offensive end, and JT is a better player at both ends of the floor than McNeil. Forth is a lot like Klotz. He's pretty smooth as a shooter, but not exactly fleet afoot. He's a seven-footer with skill, but not much speed. We have the advantage no matter who is on the floor.
They're really only deep at Guard. They have 3 guys there who can play - McNamara, Duany, and Edelin. They'll rotate, with Duany getting fewer minutes than Edelin, and McNamara going for about 32 minutes.
They're really only deep at Guard. They have 3 guys there who can play - McNamara, Duany, and Edelin. They'll rotate, with Duany getting fewer minutes than Edelin, and McNamara going for about 32 minutes.
Texas is 2-1-1 ATS this year in the tourney.
lost ATS to UNCAsh
won ATS with Purdue
pushed ATS with UConn
won ATS with MichSt
check the last 3 games how Texas did in the final 5 minutes or so.
all games were close in the stretch and texas showed confidence in winning all 3. hit their FTs too....
that could be key in what looks like a very close game....
lost ATS to UNCAsh
won ATS with Purdue
pushed ATS with UConn
won ATS with MichSt
check the last 3 games how Texas did in the final 5 minutes or so.
all games were close in the stretch and texas showed confidence in winning all 3. hit their FTs too....
that could be key in what looks like a very close game....
Exactly. This will be especially important against a young Cuse team. Texas is the kind of team that doesn't tighten up in the final minutes and never stops rebounding. Can the zone slow Texas? Probably. Can McNamara match up with Ford and can the Cuse big men equal Texas' big men? I don't think so, but that's why they play the games.
Semifinal Matchup:
Syracuse vs. Texas, 8:35 p.m
East | Syracuse Orangemen (28-5)
Round 1: Syracuse 76, No. 14 Manhattan 65
Round 2: Syracuse 68, No. 6 Oklahoma State 56
Sweet 16: Syracuse 79, No. 10 Auburn 78
Elite Eight: Syracuse 63, No. 1 Oklahoma 47
Why Syracuse Can Lose: As good as it looked Sunday against Oklahoma, if the 2-3 zone isn't played as well against Texas, the Longhorns will slice through Syracuse and prevent Jim Boeheim from another crack at a national title. Syracuse can't afford to have its zone get spread too thin against T.J. Ford. If he gets in the middle of it, or along the baseline, the Orangemen might have to help off on him too often. That could free up too many shooters, such as Brandon Mouton and Brian Boddicker. Syracuse got a tremendous effort out of Carmelo Anthony with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Oklahoma, but he was roughed up in the second half. Texas will likely try to do the same thing, and if Anthony isn't tougher, he can get pushed out of the action. Syracuse also can't afford to lose another lead. Ford is talented enough to carry the Longhorns back from a double-digit deficit and Syracuse's psyche could be fragile if it gives up a big lead in the Final Four.
Why Syracuse Will Win: Again, it comes down to the zone. Syracuse's zone has the potential to be so mystifying that it can make a team like Oklahoma look like it didn't have a clue how to run an offense. Texas relies so much on Ford to solve problems that if he gets lost in the zone, so will the rest of the Longhorns. Anthony is also having one of those seasons where he could carry this team to the title game. He's that special as a freshman. But the Orangemen continue to get tremendous role play out of Gerry McNamara, Hakim Warrick, Billy Edelin, Craig Forth and Jeremy McNeil. If that continues and they make the spot 3-pointers, the mid-range jumpers, or the crucial free throws down the stretch, the Orangemen have a great shot to win not only this game, but the title on Monday night.
Elite Chances: About even, and that's not a cop out. If Syracuse's defense is as effective against Texas as it was against Oklahoma then the Orangemen will win. Their defense is like nothing Texas will have seen during the season. And Boeheim has the Orangemen believing they can win the title. This team is dominated by freshmen, but Boeheim has always been a trendsetter. Who needs seniors? Why not win a national title with a bunch of teenagers?
Player To Watch: Anthony. All eyes will be on him Saturday as he plays on the sport's largest stage. He had a subpar first three games of the NCAA Tournament, but boy did he stand out in the fourth to get the Orange to the Final Four. If he comes up big then he could start making an argument to be a top two pick in the June draft.
X Factor: Warrick. The Orangemen need him to work the offensive glass, especially the put backs. If Warrick can find a way around players like James Thomas and Jason Klotz then he's got a shot of being a difference maker. Rebounding will be key in this game and Warrick is one of the game's best finishers, especially when it comes to shots that don't look like they have a chance to be put back.
South | Texas Longhorns (26-6)
Round 1: Texas 82, No. 16 UNC Asheville 61
Round 2: Texas 77, No. 9 Purdue 67
Sweet 16: Texas 82, No. 5 UConn 78
Elite Eight: Texas 85, No. 7 Michigan State 76
Why Texas Can Lose: Syracuse's zone. Oklahoma looked like it had somehow wandered into the Bermuda Triangle against Syracuse's defense. If Texas gets lulled to sleep in the same fashion, it will be early lights out for the Longhorns. The Longhorns have to shoot well to beat Syracuse and that puts pressure on Brian Boddicker, Sydmill Harris, Brandon Mouton and Royel Ivey. Ford can only do so much to set these guys up to make shots. James Thomas must finish or else the Longhorns will be in trouble. Texas' rebounding has to be sharp to keep Hakim Warrick off the offensive backboard. Texas will feel the heat of being the lone No. 1 seed. Syracuse has no pressure on it at all. Texas could wilt a bit if it starts to feel some of that heat.
Why Texas Will Win: The Longhorns have Ford. He was ESPN.com's national player of the year and so far has swept every other major award save the three to still be given out -- the Wooden Award, the AP, and the Oscar Robertson Award by the U.S. Basketball Writers' Association. Ford can carry the Longhorns to the national title because he dictates the game better than any other player remaining in the field. Ford's impact Friday and Sunday was clear again. He was the reason the Longhorns were able to beat Connecticut and Michigan State. Whenever the Longhorns needed something to happen, Ford was there to execute. If the Orangemen can't contain him then they'll lose.
Elite Chances: Even. The Longhorns and the Orangemen are almost even teams with both having a superstar in Anthony (Syracuse) and Ford (Texas). The key will be the role players. Boeheim has been in this spot before and won in 1987 to get to the title game, while Barnes is making his first trip to the Final Four.
Player To Watch: Ford. If you can watch any one player during the Final Four then focus on Ford. He's one of those special players who won't come around too often. He changes the game so much that he could be the most dominant player, even though he's usually the shortest on the court.
X Factor: Mouton. He has the ability to score 20-plus points and he'll be critical to Texas advancing to the national title game. Someone must make shots over the Syracuse zone. If Mouton can get the looks courtesy of Ford's drive-and-dish then he's got to knock down 3s. If he does then Texas could be 40 minutes from a title.
Syracuse vs. Texas, 8:35 p.m
East | Syracuse Orangemen (28-5)
Round 1: Syracuse 76, No. 14 Manhattan 65
Round 2: Syracuse 68, No. 6 Oklahoma State 56
Sweet 16: Syracuse 79, No. 10 Auburn 78
Elite Eight: Syracuse 63, No. 1 Oklahoma 47
Why Syracuse Can Lose: As good as it looked Sunday against Oklahoma, if the 2-3 zone isn't played as well against Texas, the Longhorns will slice through Syracuse and prevent Jim Boeheim from another crack at a national title. Syracuse can't afford to have its zone get spread too thin against T.J. Ford. If he gets in the middle of it, or along the baseline, the Orangemen might have to help off on him too often. That could free up too many shooters, such as Brandon Mouton and Brian Boddicker. Syracuse got a tremendous effort out of Carmelo Anthony with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Oklahoma, but he was roughed up in the second half. Texas will likely try to do the same thing, and if Anthony isn't tougher, he can get pushed out of the action. Syracuse also can't afford to lose another lead. Ford is talented enough to carry the Longhorns back from a double-digit deficit and Syracuse's psyche could be fragile if it gives up a big lead in the Final Four.
Why Syracuse Will Win: Again, it comes down to the zone. Syracuse's zone has the potential to be so mystifying that it can make a team like Oklahoma look like it didn't have a clue how to run an offense. Texas relies so much on Ford to solve problems that if he gets lost in the zone, so will the rest of the Longhorns. Anthony is also having one of those seasons where he could carry this team to the title game. He's that special as a freshman. But the Orangemen continue to get tremendous role play out of Gerry McNamara, Hakim Warrick, Billy Edelin, Craig Forth and Jeremy McNeil. If that continues and they make the spot 3-pointers, the mid-range jumpers, or the crucial free throws down the stretch, the Orangemen have a great shot to win not only this game, but the title on Monday night.
Elite Chances: About even, and that's not a cop out. If Syracuse's defense is as effective against Texas as it was against Oklahoma then the Orangemen will win. Their defense is like nothing Texas will have seen during the season. And Boeheim has the Orangemen believing they can win the title. This team is dominated by freshmen, but Boeheim has always been a trendsetter. Who needs seniors? Why not win a national title with a bunch of teenagers?
Player To Watch: Anthony. All eyes will be on him Saturday as he plays on the sport's largest stage. He had a subpar first three games of the NCAA Tournament, but boy did he stand out in the fourth to get the Orange to the Final Four. If he comes up big then he could start making an argument to be a top two pick in the June draft.
X Factor: Warrick. The Orangemen need him to work the offensive glass, especially the put backs. If Warrick can find a way around players like James Thomas and Jason Klotz then he's got a shot of being a difference maker. Rebounding will be key in this game and Warrick is one of the game's best finishers, especially when it comes to shots that don't look like they have a chance to be put back.
South | Texas Longhorns (26-6)
Round 1: Texas 82, No. 16 UNC Asheville 61
Round 2: Texas 77, No. 9 Purdue 67
Sweet 16: Texas 82, No. 5 UConn 78
Elite Eight: Texas 85, No. 7 Michigan State 76
Why Texas Can Lose: Syracuse's zone. Oklahoma looked like it had somehow wandered into the Bermuda Triangle against Syracuse's defense. If Texas gets lulled to sleep in the same fashion, it will be early lights out for the Longhorns. The Longhorns have to shoot well to beat Syracuse and that puts pressure on Brian Boddicker, Sydmill Harris, Brandon Mouton and Royel Ivey. Ford can only do so much to set these guys up to make shots. James Thomas must finish or else the Longhorns will be in trouble. Texas' rebounding has to be sharp to keep Hakim Warrick off the offensive backboard. Texas will feel the heat of being the lone No. 1 seed. Syracuse has no pressure on it at all. Texas could wilt a bit if it starts to feel some of that heat.
Why Texas Will Win: The Longhorns have Ford. He was ESPN.com's national player of the year and so far has swept every other major award save the three to still be given out -- the Wooden Award, the AP, and the Oscar Robertson Award by the U.S. Basketball Writers' Association. Ford can carry the Longhorns to the national title because he dictates the game better than any other player remaining in the field. Ford's impact Friday and Sunday was clear again. He was the reason the Longhorns were able to beat Connecticut and Michigan State. Whenever the Longhorns needed something to happen, Ford was there to execute. If the Orangemen can't contain him then they'll lose.
Elite Chances: Even. The Longhorns and the Orangemen are almost even teams with both having a superstar in Anthony (Syracuse) and Ford (Texas). The key will be the role players. Boeheim has been in this spot before and won in 1987 to get to the title game, while Barnes is making his first trip to the Final Four.
Player To Watch: Ford. If you can watch any one player during the Final Four then focus on Ford. He's one of those special players who won't come around too often. He changes the game so much that he could be the most dominant player, even though he's usually the shortest on the court.
X Factor: Mouton. He has the ability to score 20-plus points and he'll be critical to Texas advancing to the national title game. Someone must make shots over the Syracuse zone. If Mouton can get the looks courtesy of Ford's drive-and-dish then he's got to knock down 3s. If he does then Texas could be 40 minutes from a title.
I agree with bear about Cuse being althletic--and very talented. I hear talk about how Texas big men are going to have a big advantage inside, and i just do not see that. Mcneil is tough, can rebound and beat up shots. Warrick same deal here---(only problem with Warrick is his foul trouble)---Everyone is talking about Ford being a mismatch--yes he is ultra quick and is a big playmaker but Cuse plays zone they will not run out on him when he gets it---their gameplan will be to not close out on Ford hard--give him the jumpshot--Ford likes to shoot in the middle of the floor---against the zone that jump-shot is not their(top of key)---only on the wings are wide-open 3's--and corners--he can not make the corner and wing shot consisently. Yeah he will get in some gaps and make plays--but it will not be easy.Syracuse will be instructed to contain him. Also all this talk about Syracuse big men being weak--and Ford this and that---What about Anthony---this guy can do it all--he can post up--shoot 3's---go to the hole--and get to the foul-line---To me this is a huge mismatch for Texas--In my opinion--Anthony is the best player in College Basketball---Anytime they need a hoop he either gets to the line or delievers a hoop.. Love his heart and desire to win. He just srikes me al one of those guys that always wins--no matter what it is--Chess---Playstation--or Basketball---and Catching 3 pts.---Texas gave up 76 pts against Mich St. ---I consider Syracuse a far better offensive team than Mich St.---- Good luck to all--just my 2 cents.
Didn't Auburn score 78 against SU's "impenetrable zone defense"? BTW, we're a running team. A lot of points are scored.
Agree with you on Anthony being the best player in college. I know our boy received the big award but this guy is just phenomenal. Honestly, I can't figure out why he skipped the NBA -- he really shouldn't be playing at the college level. He's that good.
Texas defense
Texas defense
I have to agree with Innavation. Every one is talking about how Texas will score on the Orangemen but how is Texas going to stop the cuse. Michigan State's big men scored on Texas all day. Syracuse will shoot over the Texas big men as they have no shot blockers. Teams that have held Syracuse in the 60's have been very successful as all of their losses have been when they have failed to score 70. The cuse have not lost a game this year when scoring at least 70. Texas will play right into their hands by increasing the tempo. The Syracuse front court is more athletic than Texas. A slow down game would benefit Texas alot more than an up and down pace. If Thomas gets in foul trouble again Texas is in big trouble. I myself am going to play the cuse and over as the style of Texas is conducive to the Orangemen. I think its a good hedge because most teams don't try to run with Texas and the same thing can be said about the Orangemen. GLTA
Texas defense
I have to agree with Innavation. Every one is talking about how Texas will score on the Orangemen but how is Texas going to stop the cuse. Michigan State's big men scored on Texas all day. Syracuse will shoot over the Texas big men as they have no shot blockers. Teams that have held Syracuse in the 60's have been very successful as all of their losses have been when they have failed to score 70. The cuse have not lost a game this year when scoring at least 70. Texas will play right into their hands by increasing the tempo. The Syracuse front court is more athletic than Texas. A slow down game would benefit Texas alot more than an up and down pace. If Thomas gets in foul trouble again Texas is in big trouble. I myself am going to play the cuse and over as the style of Texas is conducive to the Orangemen. I think its a good hedge because most teams don't try to run with Texas and the same thing can be said about the Orangemen. GLTA
