This Town Deserves A Better Class Of Basketball Team

by Sean Keeley on Mar 27, 2009 2:27 PM EDT

Hey Memphis. Good news...you get to watch two really good teams to at it tonight in Syracuse and Oklahoma. Don't worry about that facocta team that usually plays here. They're um...not around anymore.

The Orange are in Memphis and they're in the final hours of preparation for the biggest Syracuse basketball game in five years. Thankfully the team wasn't out TOO late on Beale street last night and they'll spend the day getting mentally prepared, which may or may not include barbecue sauce.

That the Orange are playing in Memphis is bit ironic considering how important SU's first trip to town was back in December. Without Eric Devendorf, the Orange proved they could win out-of-conference, on the road, against a good team and it propelled them into Big East play on a high note.

"Getting a win like that when you don't have a player like Eric Devendorf does something for the team," SU guard Jonny Flynn said. "After that, we said in our mind we're a good team and we're on the verge of doing a lot of things this season and even in the NCAA Tournament."

With Blake Griffin stepping on to the floor tonight, the Orange are going to need everything and then some out of their big men. Kristof!'s services will most definitely be appreciated and the big man will do what he can with a sore Achilles' heel.

"I've been treating it every day, a couple times a day, so it's getting better," Ongenaet said. "It's not healthy yet, but I'm definitely playing."

Wild horses...and such.

Previews abound below. I won't be online but I will be Twittering early on. I have a feeling the Idiots will be chatting. And the DO has a man on the street in Memphis all day. All I will say at this point is, G'Orange and I hope we have a reason to speak with each other before Monday.

Brian podcasts everything from the UConn game through tonight's Sweet 16 match-up, give a listen...Orange44
Syracuse zone looks to shut down Griffin...Daily Orange
Three things to know about OU and SU...Deadspin
Another game, another big man for Syracuse to contend with...CSBSports.com
SU is Super Sweet Sixteen...CuseOrange
It's "America’s Hottest Team v. America’s Best Player"...Orange44
Breaking down the match-ups...CollegeHoops.net

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Comments

nice teeth

I want Gary Parrish’s hair back.

by The Dome Ranger on Mar 27, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

ok - so numbers...and this might've been brought up before but i haven't read...

4+4 (44) = 8
SU/OKL in the elite 8
jimmy’s 8000th win.

by Emac33 on Mar 27, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

EIGHT-THOUSAND WINS!?!?!?!

Amazing!

http://devodeuce.blogspot.com/

The 'Cuse is in tha house, oh my God oh my God.

by StrawHatGuy on Mar 27, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

From that D.O. link:

“The hard thing about coaching zone, when you’re a man-to-man team, and you play man-to-man and you’re losing, they just say, ‘Well, you’ve got to play better,’” Boeheim said. “When you’re a zone team, and you’re losing, they say you’ve got to play man-to-man. Fortunately, I don’t listen to those people.”

by voteprime on Mar 27, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

Raf

Sean, no mention of the excellent piece on Raftery in today’s NY Times?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/sports/ncaabasketball/26sandomir.html?_r=1&ref=sports

Great read!

by Cody K on Mar 27, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

Onions

“Consider his onions, too. He recognizes that some view the reference as testicular, and he doesn’t deny it. But he said his were metaphorical onions. "It means something about a kid’s makeup," he said. "I admire these kids down the stretch, the whole world on their shoulders and how they can reach back."”

Bullsh*t. It means balls. Say it, Raf. Be proud.

by Sean Keeley on Mar 27, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions