BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: THOUGHTS ON 'CUSE

February 11, 2009


By Zach Smart

Heading into familiar territory, Syracuse renews one of the most storied rivalries in college basketball tonight in Connecticut.

What’s at stake: A win against top-ranked UConn would end a serious drought, Syracuse’s worst of the season. They’ve tailed off, significantly, since snapping a wowing seven-game win streak.

The frustration that seems to have snowballed broke new grounds Saturday, when the O-lacking Orange was victim to a pulverizing by Villanova. So, a potential upset of the top-ranked Huskies could kick-start a much-needed Syracuse resurgence. The Orange was El Aziza-hot at the start of the season.

A healthy Eric Devendorf and three-point assailant Andy Rautins played a significant factor in that. Syracuse, often lambasted for perpetually utilizing an ultra-soft early season, non-conference slate—one in which they “don’t leave the state”—infected the NCAA landscape with more promising, fresh air than Barack Obama. Non-conference tests passes including a trip to Kansas City (MO) for the CBE Classic and victories over Florida and Kansas were achieved. SU also went down to Memphis and came up with a win. So, while losses in five of their last seven are of a serious concern, they do have some NCAA Tournament 'bank' stored up, but a stimulus package is looking to be in need of soon.

Pregame stories and previews found on the internet this morning:

Rivalry Week Includes UConn & Syracuse
Mental Block (Syracuse Post-Standard)
Orange Scouting Report: SU vs. UConn (Post-Standard)
Defense, Resume Building the Huskies' Focus (Norwich Bulletin)
UConn vs. Syracuse Gamenight (collegehoopsnet.com)
UConn, Syracuse Jostling for Postseason Position (Rep-Am)
Thabeet Turns into Game Changer (Rep-Am)
Calhoun Looks to Avoid Run 'n' Gun Game vs. Syracuse (Middletown Press)
Calhoun Wants Huskies to Set Pace Against Orange (Hartford Courant)


NBE Blogger Prediction:

Connecticut 80
Syracuse 64

Look for the 12 1/2-point favorite Huskies to assume control of this game n the second half. Syracuse will come out with a big effort after their lackluster effort in a loss to Villanova over the weekend. However, the strong frontline of UConn will wear down the Orange and the guards will start to heat up late and Huskies cruise late.

SU Recruiting Notes:

So, Syracuse began the season with an excellent sales pitch for highly-touted recruits. While the strength of their 2009 incoming class hasn’t dwindled, a power surge would certainly help reel in top-notch recruits who are on the fence, including 6-foot-11 DaShonte Riley out of Detroit, who is expected to visit the Salt City this coming weekend when SU hosts Georgetown, the team that Riley was once a verbal commitment to.


Syracuse-commit Brandon Triche, of Jamesville-DeWitt (Jamesville, N.Y.) high school, has been dominant this year. The chiseled, high-flying combination guard knifed through defenders, drove to the paint and scored in transition, en route to a stunning 75-63 upset of Brooklyn power Lincoln last month.

Triche finished with 20 points, four dimes (albeit he committed nine turnovers) and strapped up on heavily-hyped guard Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson.

Stephenson finished with just 15 points on 5-for-17 shooting at Baruch College’s ARC arena in Manhattan. Stephenson wowed the crowd with a wild fast break dunk, streetball flair, and creative passes, though Triche clearly got the better of him.

James Southerland, an instant staple in Notre Dame Prep’s souped-up offense, has also been solid. While his spindly frame may prevent him from making an immediate impact next year (Southerland makes Mookie Jones look like Ben Wallace), his springy hops and all-out athleticism make him a lock for the future.

Southerland, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound beanstalk, finishes strong and brandishes a feathery 15-foot jump shot that he can extend into three-point territory.


Recruiting for the class of 2010 is off to a quick start as SU has verbal commitments from Baltimore forward CJ Fair, Oak Hil center Baye Moussa-Keita and Life Center Academy guard Dion Waiters. SU remains heavily involved in the mix for Long Island Lutheran forward Tobias Harris as well as Detroit Finney guard Isaiah Sykes.