BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #4 SYRACUSE

September 19, 2008


The Greg Robinson era is continuing to sink more and more into the depths of college football as Syracuse continues to plummet. This weekend the Orange host Northeastern. After being blown out by Northwestern on the road to open the season, SU came home to the Dome and were beaten up by Akron and then demolished by Penn State. They are making a claim as the worst 1-A football program in the country. It is almost a given they are the worst among the major 1-A programs, a shell of the former proud program.

I was very surprised there was even a line listed for this game...even more surprised the Orange is only a 10 and a half point favorite.

We will take Syracuse and give the points...why? I don't know...they do have some talent in that program that should be able to rise above Northeastern, at least...


Prediction:

Syracuse 34
Northeastern 17


If they lose in this one...can Greg Robinson really return to work next week??

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BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: SYRACUSE

September 17, 2008


VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Brandon Triche, 6'3 G from Jamesville-DeWitt (NY) HS

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Kristof Ongenaet (PF)
Juniors: Paul Harris (G), Arinze Onuaku (BF/C), Eric Devenderf (G), Andy Rautins (G), Wesley Johnson* (F)
Sophomores: Johnny Flynn (PG), Antonio Jardine (G), Richard Jackson (BF), Sean Williams (C)
Freshmen: Kris Joseph (F), Mookie Jones (G/F)
2009 Commitments: Brandon Triche (G), James Southerland (F)

* Will sit out 2008-2009 season per NCAA Transfer rules

Since the recruiting process began for Brandon Triche, he seemed destined for Syracuse. Growing up just miles fromt he Carrier Dome and being the nephew of former Orange forward Howard Triche, many thought this was a foregone conclusion so when the Syracuse Post-Standard reported late last night that Brandon Triche Picked Syracuse, it came as no surprise.


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The make-up of the Syracuse roster showed a need for a point guard and the Orange did not have to go very far to fill that void as Jamesville-DeWitt star Brandon Triche decided to stay close to home and chose the Orange over finalists Georgetown, Connecticut and Georgia Tech last night. Triche showed at the Reebok Summer Championships the ability to get into the lane and use his size and strength to get to the rim and score. Triche does need to add a more consistent jump shot as it was evident throughout the summer that his perimeter touch needs work.

The Orange get a tough local kid with a high basketball IQ in Triche. He has shown outstanding court vision in high school and is an excellent passer. He has recovered from an ACL injury that cut short his sophomore season and he is looking to finish his career at J-D with a big season now that the injury problems are behind him.

Recently, the NBE Basketball Report spent some time Catching Up With Brandon Triche and this is what he had to say about the Orange:

“The location is a factor. It’s like five minutes from my house. The coach is a Hall of Famer, and Johnny Flynn will probably head to the NBA after the season, so that will open up a spot for me.”

For now, Triche joins previous commit James Southerland in the SU class of 2009. Southerland was originally expected to be part of the 2008 class, but he will attend a second year of prep school at Notre Dame Prep. The 6-foot-7 forward has an excellent perimeter game and is working on adding strength and a more well-rounded arsenal. Despite rumors circulating late on the AAU circuit, Southerland seems to have re-affirmed his commitment to SU and the presence of Mike Hopkins at every game Southerland played with the Albany City Rocks in the Desert Duel showed how much the Orange were still interested in him. SU Looked in on Southerland at the Desert Duel and he was very offensive minded, again showing his needs to round out his game.


Triche and Southerland are not the only newcomers for the 2009-2010 season as SU will also add an important transfer. When Wesley Johnson informed the staff at Iowa State he was transferring they were not happy with the news. Losing a quality player is very tough and Johnson is definitely, at least, a quality player. As his list of potential destinations grew and was fine-tuned, it was clear that many schools believed he would be making a big impact wherever he ended up. After taking a visit to Syracuse, Johnson found his next home and decided there was no need to take any additional visits. Johnson also considered West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Ohio State as finalists.

Johnson is a 6'7 combo forward with plenty of length and athleticism, perfect for Jim Boehiem's style of play. His sophomore numbers were a little less than expected after an excellent freshman campaign in the Big 12, but a stress fracture in his foot, which forced him to miss five games and eventually led to an April surgery, took away much of his trademark explosive athletic ability.

As a freshman at Iowa State, the Texas native averaged 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. As a sophomore, he contributed 12.4 points a game, but the rebounding total dipped in half, but a lot of that was due to the injuries that had him on the perimeter more than going inside to battle.

The projected 2009-10 Syracuse roster is now full with 13 players. Players like Eric Devendorf, Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris could be candidates to test professional waters after the next season. However, expect SU to turn their attention more toward the class fo 2010 where they already have a big time commitment from guard Dion Waiters out of Philadelphia. Waiters is a BIG-TIME offensive talent and is a cousin of current Orange guard Antonio Jardine. Other top targets in the class of 2010 include Albany guard Taran Buie of Bishop Maginn High School, Oak Hill Academy Doron Lamb, who is a NYC native, small forward Shaquille Thomas out of Paterson Catholic and is a nephew of former Villanova star Tim Thomas, New England big man Carson Desrosiers and Long Island star Tobias Harris.

After back-to-back NIT appearances and two one and done NCAA's prior to that, it is time for Syracuse to get back into the mix of March Madness Betting and it will all start with recruiting. The 2009 class looks to be a nice chance to find some program players, expect a big time class for 2010 and the inroads are already being laid this fall.

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BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #3 SYRACUSE

September 12, 2008


Wow, how the once mighty Syracuse Orange football program has fallen. Once, a trip to the Carrier Dome was a daunting task for even the elite of college football (see, Nebraska, circa 1984). The 'Loud House' has been reduced to a smattering of boos here and there as the Greg Robinson era is sinking into the depths of college football's all-time worst eras. Now, even a solid, but not spectacular Penn State squad comes to town with College Football Lines listing the visitors as 28-point favorites.

Sorry 'Cuse fans, not only isn't Donovan McNabb, Marvin Harrison, Joe Morris, Rob Moore or Jim Brown coming through that tunnel on Saturday, neither are the likes of Jamie Covington, Todd Norley or Mike Siano, key figures in the Syracuse 1984 upset of then-No.1 Nebraska.

Instead, it will be an overmatched Orange squad that is coming off a home lose to the Zips of Akron. In two games this year, SU has surrendered 72 points in two games against Akron and Northwestern and now face a Nittany Lion squad that has rolled up 111 points in their two wins this year.

Penn State is coming off a 45-14 win over Oregon State with Evan Royster running wild on the Beavers. Do not expect SU to slow down Penn State this week as PSU might be able to name their score, even on the SU home turf.

My, how the mighty has fallen! Bet on Syracuse? Not on your life...


Prediction:

Penn State 48
Syracuse 17

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BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: WEEK #2 SYRACUSE

September 4, 2008


The downward spiral of the Syracuse football program continued as they opened the 2008 college football season with a 30-10 loss on the road against Northwestern. Now the Orange open their home schedule with a date against Akron from the MAC.

Akron also opened their season last weekend with a road loss to a Big 10 team as the Zips saw Wisconsin pull away in the second half for a 38-17 win.

Statistically, Akron and Syracuse seemed to mirror each other in most overall categories in week #1 and this probably projects as a pretty even match-up, sadly for Syracuse. Reviewing the College Football Lines for the week and seeing the Orange begin as a 7-point favorite and see the line be whittled down to -5 and even -4.5 in some places is an indication that many do believe that Akron and Syracuse are basically 'even' teams, but the Orange will have the home field advantage in their favor.

Just do not expect the Dome to be rocking like the days of Donovan McNabb, Marvin Harrison or other recent SU greats. This football is a shadow of it's former self in terms of football talent.

I do feel the Orange has some decent talent at the running back position and they will look to exploit a defense that allowed over 400 yards rushing last week at Wisconsin. Curtis Brinkley, Delone Carter and true frosh Doug Hogue should be able to find room and if Andrew Robinson can keep the defense honest, SU should be able to control this game.

Prediction:

Syracuse 24
Akron 16

Most of the Syracuse fans will be there hoping to get a glimpse of Orange basketball players at the Dome.

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TOBIAS HARRIS VISITS SU, LISTS FAVORITES

September 3, 2008


Jim Boeheim, not far removed from helping the United States Olympic Men's Basketball team capture a gold medal in Beijing, held his Syracuse Elite camp on the SU campus last week. Tobias Harris made the trip to check things out again and he and his father definitely took notice of what Syracuse had to offer.


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"Tobias had a excellent meeting with the Coaching staff," Tobias' father, Torrel Harris Sr told the NBE Basketball Report in an e-mail. "Tobias was (also) impressed that the business program is ranked...in the country. He wants to major in Business Ownership."

During coach Boeheim's Hall of Fame coaching career, having excellent forwards with dynamic skills has been the focal point of his offense. Going back to the early days of the Louie and Bouie show as well as Raf Addison, Derrick Coleman, Billy Owens, Damone Brown, Donte Greene, etc. The Orange has sent their fair share of forwards on to NBA Basketball Lines in the league.

"On the basketball side, the coaching staff gave Tobias a great feel on how things are structured both offensively and defensively," Mr. Harris said. "Donte Greene also spoke with Tobias regarding the freedom to be creative in the offense, stating Coach Boeheim just let you play as long as you are playing hard."

"The Coaching staff," Mr. Harris continued, "broke down Syracuse offense strictly for forwards on game film, he showed highlights of all the great forwards who played for Coach Boeheim at Syracuse and how coach just let them play and be creative on offense. Coach Boeheim does not limit their game as basketball players and coach Boeheim has help over 25 players get to the NBA," accoring to Torrel.


According to the Tobias Harris Recruiting Update from the NBE Basketball Report, it looked like the visit to Syracuse was successful in getting the Orange listed as one of the favorites to land the 6-foot-8 Harris.

“The hectic schedule Tobias has endured over the past three months has allowed him to intimately learn about many schools’ style of play, campus, facilities, academic programs and support, as well as establishing a relationship with the coaching staffs,” Mr. Harris continued.

For now, in no particular order, here are the 10 schools that have made the initial list of the top 10 favorites for Harris:

Louisville, Syracuse, Rutgers, Georgetown, Virginia, Maryland, Marquette, West Virginia, Wake Forest and USC.

Tobias will also start at a new school this year, Long Island Lutheran High School. Harris currently carries an impressive 3.5 GPA average with an eye towards a business major in the future. Syracuse will be a factor in the recruitment of Tobias Harris as it definitely made a positive impression on the education and athletic aspect to the Harris family.

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