In Saturday’s¬†loss to Duke the Orange had very little to play for except pride.¬† And despite losing to perennial powerhouse Duke, SU gave its fans a little sneak preview of just how good the team can be next season.
The biggest reason for this was Rakeem Christmas’ overall ineffectiveness against player of the year candidate Jahlil Okafor and Duke’s interior defense.  Christmas finished with just 11 points on 5-of-17 shooting.  In addition, Rak was in foul trouble for much of the game, finishing the game with four fouls.
Next season, when the Orange is without Christmas, fans can come to expect offense from the players that really contributed today.  The Orange was led by Michael Gbinije, who poured in a game-high 27 points, and Tyler Roberson, who had a career-high 19 points.  Silent G shot 10-of-14 while Roberson had a double-double with 19 points and ten rebounds.
Next season without Christmas, the scoring burden will fall heavily on Gbinije, Cooney, Roberson, and the incoming freshman class.  Without a go-to guy in the middle of the lineup, the Orange will be able to balance the scoring throughout the lineup.
Gbinije was able to shoulder the load for the Orange, hitting huge buckets in the first half to propel the team to a halftime lead that it couldn’t hold onto in the second half.  Roberson, on the other hand, worked hard in the paint and showed confidence in his offensive game that he hasn’t displayed yet this season.  He also had four offensive rebounds.
Orange fans should walk away from this game feeling confident about the team’s future.  Instead of feeling sorry about the postseason ban, fans need to realize that the team wasn’t making the big dance anyways this season.  Entering next year though, the team should be just fine without Christmas.  SU has a legitimate scoring threat in Gbinije, and plenty of semi-veteran leadership in Roberson, Cooney, Chris McCullough and Kaleb Joseph.
While the team may struggle to defend in the zone next season with so much inexperience, SU may be able to win its games with sheer scoring.  Gbinije’s game is rounding into form right before his most important season, and the current players are maturing in a way that many thought was impossible after the start to the season.
Posted:  Jason Weingold
One response to “Orange Gives Fans a Preview of Next Season Despite Loss to Duke”
Next year could be a very good year for the Orange if JB and Co. have the courage to make it so.
What do I mean by that? Going to have to step on some toes and break some eggs. Drop the country club
atmosphere and become more spartan in nature. Got stones JB?? Can you be as tough on yourself and your team
as you are with the local media come 10/1/15..actually sooner?
Start Gbinije at the point and have him play at the top of the zone…in the meantime you tell Kaleb Joseph(like you told Patterson that he was not to shoot a 3), he doesn’t see the court until he develops a LEFT hand and improves his defense.
Cooney is the shooting guard but his playing time depends on how he rounds out the rest of his game…namely finishing on the break and driving to the bucket. No longer will you be 1 dimensional Trevor or you’ll share time with Richardson.
The starting forwards will be McCullough(assuming a full recovery) and Roberson. BOTH are exceptional talents but lack confidence…FIND IT and play with it..and play hard.
At center is Coleman. Put up or shutup young man. I’m done with the injuries and the mind games. I know you are a rugged rebounder. You will now finish at the rim at a playing weight of 262 lbs..not an ounce more. 10 and 10 are your goals night in and night out.
Patterson, you got game..but no outside shot. You’ll find one and learn to finish at the rim or you’ll be sitting down in the 11th chair and playing only
against the Albanys with 94 seconds left and we’re up 19..your choice…
BJ sorry..at 6’7″ 198 lbs and with the incoming class, I can’t use you…I’ve got Lydon and Diagne coming in and both have more to offer than you.
We’ll find you a good place to transfer.
Obokoh, you’ll play and spell Coleman..and also play the 5 when we press…joining Joseph, Richardson, Lydon Diagne.
Gentlemen, it is no longer a “right” of 7 players to play before a crowd of 25,000 plus at the dome. This year and going forward it is an honor and privilege, one that must be earned,for at least 9 to 10 of you to go on the court and get your name in the boxscore..every game and you’ll play like it. We will be the equal of the Dukes the Kentuckys so prepare for it now. The recent “bests” have not been good enough and we need a new and better best.
Dare to require it!