Kris Joseph’s recent words to USA Today hang in the chilly Syracuse air, both exciting and terrifying.
“We’ve had great teams since I’ve been here, but, honestly, I think this is a team that could really make a push in the NCAA tournament. I think from one to 12, everyone can really help. And I think, if everyone buys into that and listens to Coach, we’ll be great.”
K-Jo is right. While SU has had tourney-worthy teams almost every season, this year’s squad can attain “the big stuff.” The ’09-’10 team won the Big East, grabbed a top-seed and probably would’ve seen the Elite 8 and beyond with a healthy Arinze Onuaku. But this edition of Syracuse hoops can be even better than that one.
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It’s possible because this year’s version is stacked top to bottom. Just look at the deep guard rotation, the experience, the bench, the incoming Three Amigos. It says something when the Big East coaches select you as the best preseason team in the nation’s top conference (before it devolves into the Big MAC).
But K-Jo’s last sentence is also haunting. “If everyone listens to Coach…” It sits there sneering at the hardened Orange fan who always seems to endure spring disappointments. It’s an issue that clearly has dogged this program before. SU always has elite talent, but rarely performs to the concurrent level.
Will Dion go off the reservation again? Will Scoop make better decisions? Will this team choose to play defense? Will Fab finally digest basketball? Will they play as a unit, sacrifice for the betterment of the team or be a selfish, immature set of talented players who can’t let go of individual wants and needs?
Syracuse basketball is about to change forever in the next 24-36 months. The only coach this program has known for nearly four decades has said he is mapping his departure. The only conference this school has ever known is imploding around us. This may be the last great chance as it stands to get back to the Final Four and accomplish “the big stuff.”
If only they listen to Coach.
Posted: D.A.
11 responses to “Kris Joseph’s Preseason Syracuse Prediction is Both Exciting & Terrifying”
The last few yrs id chalk some of these march flame outs up to some bad luck. An to be honest u need luck an things to bounce ur way to get to the final 4 along with a good team. Ao gettin hurt to a ref blowin a huge call it just hasnt broke right for the ‘cuse.
I think you make a valid point Carlton. A championship team does need a beneficial bounce from time to time. But, I am also of the belief that you “create” your own luck. The lack of depth and preparedness doomed the team when AO went down. Bad luck? Maybe. But also poor planning. Dashonte was not ready to step in and Ricky was not fit enough to take over the center role. And, a blown call can happen anytime to any team. A team that limits mistakes can absorb a bad call or two and still come out on top. Syracuse should never be in a position that allows a refs call to determine their fate. Anyway, for these reasons, I am supremely optimistic about this year‚Äôs team. We have more depth than ever before and just as much talent as past great SU squads. The only thing that stands in the way of this team and real greatness are egos and immaturity. If the guys from last year have re-dedicated themselves and if the freshmen understand their roles, the sky is truly the limit.
Kris Joseph is a dog on defense. Doesn’t hustle when he turns the ball over. I’m sure that scouts notice his disinterest.
Having depth is great, using it is another. I dont recall too many years that Boeheim and crew have had this much depth to divy time out to. I dont know how, but I hope they can get a solid rotation going with all this talent.
I agree with both of you. Cap2nine makes a good point in that when Arinze went down, we had no legitimate backup for him. DaShonte Riley wasn’t ready yet (then again, not many young centers are ready for big situations like that). Demarcus Cousins and Jared Sullinger type players don’t come around very often. Just look at Fab Melo. He had way more hype than Riley ever did and he wasn’t any more prepared. Not sure which blown call you are referring to… because in pretty much every Syracuse loss, one of the refs is either named Tim Higgins or Jim Burr. I agree though… sky is the limit for this team. This is honestly one of the most amazing top to bottom teams on paper that we have had in I can’t even remember! I’ve never been so excited for a season to start. ‘Cuse beats UNC in the national championship game this year… you heard it here 1st!
“‚ÄòCuse beats UNC in the national championship game this year‚Ķ you heard it here 1st!”
Dear God, Kevin, I hope you are right!!!
Fab was a top 15 player Riley wasnt a top 100 player. Im talkin about the call in the 2nd rd last yr. The ref didnt no the rules he even came out an said he was wrong. Look u cant blow everyone out but havin the ball tied with 40secs( I think) left is a good spot to be in.
Coach will do what he did last year- go 10 deep in pre-season and see who is ready for conference play Everyone got a chance last year. no one sat that didn’t deserve to. As for post season, we go s far as our big men take us.
Cj fair is going to be the xfactor. He will impact a lot of games this year
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