News: Monday Night Update

Just a quick note that I've finally cobbled together a highlight package for last year's Big East tournament semi-final game against Notre Dame. The file is a bit larger than normal, as I tried to show many ND highlights as well, rather than just focusing on the Hoyas. Link

Also, Ray Floriani continues to scout upcoming opponents for us (as they come through the NYC metro area). This time, he takes a look at Syracuse, with West Virginia promised later this week:

NEW YORK CITY – The Pre-Season NIT saw Syracuse exit New York with a third place finish. After dropping the semifinal 79-65 to Ohio State, the Orange rebounded with a 91-85 win over Washington. Texas A & M trounced Ohio State 70-47 for the title.

Syracuse vs. Ohio State
Ohio State was too tough inside. Syracuse did rebound the ball but the free throw rate and eFG percentage attest to the fact the Buckeyes were stronger in the paint. Turnovers were another telltale stat - Syracuse was 24% (too high against any strong team like OSU) while the Buckeyes were a steady 18% (Ed. note: G'town had even worse TO % numbers against OSU in the Final Four).

Kosta Koufos, Ohio State’s 7’ freshman center, did the damage inside scoring a game high 24 points while pulling down 9 boards. Just for good measure, Koufos stepped out and hit 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

	Syracuse	Ohio State
Pace	72
Eff.	89.6	108.9
eFG%	39.9%	56.0%
TO%	23.4%	17.9%
OR%	45.8%	28.4%
FTR	21.7%	34.5%

Syracuse vs. Washington
Syracuse’s 18% mark in the turnover category was especially impressive considering Washington basically full-court pressed the entire game. That pressure helped turn the game into a quick 87 possession affair, which was very much to the Syracuse’s advantage. Washington’s best inside threat 6’7” Jon Brockman played only 20 minutes due to foul trouble. Minus Brockman, the Huskies had little or no inside game to match the Orange.

	Syracuse	U of W
Pace	85
Eff.	106.6	99.6
eFG%	52.8%	45.1%
TO%	16.4%	22.3%
OR%	19.4%	49.0%
FTR	96.3%	23.2%

Individual notes:

Eric Devendorf – Hit the perimeter shot and penetrated well also. Double figures both nights, coach Jim Boeheim is especially pleased with his decision making. "Much better than two years ago,” per Boeheim.

Paul Harris – Much better control than a year ago. Harris finally figured he’s not a three point shooter. Attempted only one trey (it missed) in New York.

Johnny Flynn – Struggled at times against OSU but bounced back in excellent fashion against Washington. Flynn had an outstanding 16 point (10 of 13 from the line), 2 assist , 2 turnover outing in the consolation.

Donte Greene – Good long 6’11” frosh. Earned all-tournament honors and scored 21 and 25 (both team highs) respectively. Likes to shoot the perimeter shot but, despite a slim build, is effective inside.

Arinze Onuaku – A 6’9” inside player, Onuaku was sound (10.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) over the two games in New York. Had a career high 17 against St.Joe’s to help punch Syracuse’s ticket to the Big Apple.


Added Note
The final loomed as a barn-burner but turned out to be an Ohio State nightmare. Talk leaving MSG on Wednesday was that Ohio State was a top 20 team. They may prove to be but they were humbled in the finals by a Texas A&M team that just defensed them to death. It was a 61 possession game with A&M enjoying a 115-77 (!) efficiency advantage. OSU shot 28% eFG percentage and Koufas was held to 10 points (4 of 16) by the Aggies’ sizable frontcourt.

MVP was Joseph Jones, A&M’s 6’9” senior forward. My vote was for DeAndre Jordan, the Aggies seven foot freshman center who scored and rebounded (11pts., 8 boards in final) well both nights. Now if he could hit free throws . . .