SYRACUSE 'ZONED' IN EARLY, MOVES TO 2-0 ON SEASON

It is safe to say that Syracuse got the message from coach Jim Boehiem to improve their defense in the wake of their exhibition loss to LeMoyne. It is also safe to say the loss to LeMoyne has been placed well into the rear-view mirror as Robert Morris is No Match for Syracuse (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) in the Dome last night. The Orange move to 2-0 on the season with their 100-60 win over RMU.

In their opening wins against Robert Morris and Albany (Monday), SU has forced 60 turnovers and held opponents to just 51.5 points a game as the Orange Zone Defense is Creating Havoc (Syracuse Post-Standard) on their early season opponents.

While Albany and RMU are definitely low-major programs, both are well coached teams that some expected to test the Orange early on. That was not the case in either game and on Wednesday SU got their offense cranking very early, thanks in a large part to Andy Rautins, who rebounded from an 0-fer fromt he field in the opener and an ankle injury to light up the zone scoreboard from beyond the arc, connecting on seven of 10 three-pointers, and scoring 22 points in 20 minutes. There was question if Rautins would even play after attending Tuesday's practice in a walking boot, but Rautins Led Syracuse to Victory Despite Injured Ankle (Post-Standard) as Jim Boehiem earned career witn #801.

For the second consecutive game, five Orange players reached double figures in scoring with Wes Johnson scoring 15 and Arinze Onuaku made seven of eight field goal attempts in scoring 14. Freshman point guard Brandon Triche had 12 points and 7 assists as SU shot 58% from the field in the contest.

Next up for the Orange is a trip to Madison Square Garden for a Coaches versus Cancer semifinal match-up with 13th ranked Cal. North Carolina and Ohio State represent the other side of the bracket in a very anticipated gathering of top teams early this season.

You can check the action live...below is a link to great seats available at MSG for next week's action:

Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Tickets - Semifinals (Syracuse vs. Cal; North Carolina vs. Ohio State) November 19 2009

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SYRACUSE OPENS WITH WIN; BOEHEIM EARNS WIN #800

It was a milestone night at the Carrier Dome for Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim as Syracuse tipped off the 2009-2010 season Monday. Boeheim Gets Win #800 as Syracuse Beats Albany (Syracuse Post-Standard), 75-43, putting the memories of the exhibition loss to LeMoyne well in the past.

It is not to say things were pretty, even in a 32-point victory. The Orange turned the ball over 21 times, were poor from the foul line (15-31) and beyond the arc (2-17), but this Boeheim team is built for the SU signature 2-3 zone and their length, quickness and ability to trap out of it forced 32 Albany turnovers. In their exhibition against LeMoyne, SU played very little zone defense...

The 32 turnovers committed by Albany was a school record, surpassing the previous high of 28 set back in 2001 against Ohio State. The Danes Gift Wrap #800 (Albany Times-Union) with their inability to take care of the basketball against the Orange zone.

Syracuse used a balance attack offensively, placing five players in double figures, led by senior Arinze Onuaku who was six of seven from the field and two of five from the charity strip for 14 points. Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson stuffed the stat sheet for the Orange with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists while Kris Joseph and 'Scoop' Jardine each added 12 points off the bench. Rick Jackson connected on all four of his shots from the field and two of four from the line to score 10.

Brandon Triche started at the point over Jardine and scored eight points in his debut, but turned the ball over six times compared to just three assists. Jardine finished with four assists and just one turnover in the contest.

Senior Andy Rautins went scoreless, missing all six field goal attempts, including four from beyond the arc. Rautins injured his Ankle in SU Win (Post-Standard), leaving the game and not returning with 14 minutes left in the second half. After the game Rautins was in a walking boot and will be getting treatment ahead of Wednesday night's contest with Robert Morris at the Carrier Dome as part of the 2009 Coaches vs. Cancer event. The Orange will move to Madison Square Garden to face Cal on November 19th in the semifinals with North Carolina and Ohio State on the other side. Link below for tickets...


Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Tickets - Semifinals (Syracuse vs. Cal; North Carolina vs. Ohio State) November 19 2009

A great night of basketball for a great cause!!

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BOEHEIM LOOKS FOR COACHING MILESTONE IN OPENER

Courtesy of the NBE Basketball Report


The 2009-2010 college basketball season gets underway officially tonight and the Syracuse Orange look to make it a party as Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim looks to earn coaching career victory #800 when SU welcomes Albany to the Dome for a 9 PM tip.

The University at Albany is the invited guest/victim in the first round of the 2K Sports Classic to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer, which can been seen on ESPNU, but the Danes Look to Crash Coach's Party Albany Times-Union) and may have given UAlbany some hope with their recent exhibition loss to D-II LeMoyne.

For the Orange, this game is important in more than just getting that season-opening win. On one hand, SU needs to put the LeMoyne memory behind them and move forward by distancing themselves from that game. On the other hand, Syracuse Aims for Boeheim's 800th Win in Season Opener (Syracuse Post-Standard), a milestone that would join Boehiem with Duke's coach K and UConn's Jim Calhoun as the only active coaches with 800 or more wins. The milestone is easily secondary in Boeheim's mind as he looks to prepare a young SU backcourt that is dealing with the loss of juniors Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris to the professional ranks after last season.

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