So Much For Easing Into The Season

by Sean Keeley on Nov 17, 2009 6:34 PM EST

You'll have to excuse the lazy sportswriters who said before this season began that Syracuse was returning to it's old ways of scheduling soft. Clearly, they didn't stop to think about the mini-gauntlet the Orange are about to run.

Thursday - No. 13 Cal (2-0)

Friday - No. 5 North Carolina (2-0) or No. 15 Ohio State (2-0)

Tuesday - Cornell (1-0)

The first two games are givens for being tough but the Big Red have already proved they're still an opponent to be reckoned with after their 71-67 win at Alabama.

While the Orange still don't know who they'll be facing off against on Friday, the two opponents they do know both offer major challenges to the 2-3 Zone...the dreaded lights-out shooter.

Cal and Cornell are two of the nation's best 3-point shooting teams. Last year, Cal led the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at 42.7 percent. Cornell was fourth at 41.1.

Both teams expect to equal or better those numbers this season. The Bears are shooting 41.4 percent (12-of-29) from that distance in their two wins this year. Cornell made 56 percent of its threes (10-of-18) in its season-opening win at Alabama.

Commence boot-shaking, Orange fans. Nothing breaks down the zone (or any defense, I suppose) like strong outside shooters. While the Orange looked good against Albany and Robert Morris, those were just warm-ups compared to the next week's games. SU doesn't need to win all of them but things could go south in a hurry if the Orange don't step up their game and keep the momentum.

The Big Red play at UMass on Wednesday and host Seton Hall on Friday. SU fans would be wise to keep an eye on the them.

I suppose it could be worse, we could have overscheduled like North Carolina:

North Carolina are about to embark on a portion of their schedule in which they will face five ranked teams in an 8-game span. The Tar Heels' schedule includes Ohio State, either Cal or Syracuse, Michigan State, Kentucky and Texas.

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Cornell

Ryan Wittman (son former NBA player and coach Randy Wittman) made nine threes in the Dome last year on his way to 35 points. The Big Red led by 16 in the first half before SU came back.

The Big Red should have SU’s attention, regardless of how things go in NYC.

by DSafetyGuy on Nov 17, 2009 6:59 PM EST reply actions

isnt this

wittmans 7th year playing on their squad
also tom izzo set up his schedule a few years back like the carolina schedule, completely screwed his chances a national championship that year

by 86trash on Nov 17, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions

The one thing that gives me hope for the zone against 3's this year is our length.

We actually have close to the length that makes the zone truly untouchable and that includes against 3’s. It’s still a weakness, no doubt, but maybe it won’t be as much of one as recent years. I’m excited, if not a little nervous, for this slate. Also, as my little brother goes to Cornell, bragging rights are on the line.

by NOLACuse on Nov 17, 2009 9:27 PM EST reply actions

You can tell him SU beat Cornell in rugby

103-0 last year before they were sent out of the NYS league too.

by 'CuseRugby on Nov 17, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

My main brag is the most obvious one: Lax national championship.

But the Rugby one is good too.

by NOLACuse on Nov 18, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

I was about to mention that. We also beat them in soccer. Which is truly tragic for them.

by Orange22 on Nov 18, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions

Length

I completely agree – the length in the zone this year is vastly improved over last year. What will be interesting is to see what kind of intensity level SU brings will while D. If they play like they did against Robert Morris, they will harrass shooters.

Also, the key to beating the zone isn’t simply shooting – it’s ball movement to get the ball to open shooters, which means teams have to have guys in the high post and the short corner who are willing and able to reverse the ball to get open looks. I have no doubt Cornell has those guys – I’m less familiar with Cal and how much zone they play against – mainly because of my blatent east coast bias.

by Russianator on Nov 18, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

All I Know is

….I have the greatest sign prepared for the Cornell game. Remember the story I told a while back about my senior prom date playing for their women’s team? Well…..

Also, I can’t wait to miss a day of classes this Friday to head down to MSG. But yeah, this stretch is quite a tough one for the Orange

by RyanMcD29 on Nov 18, 2009 12:17 AM EST reply actions