Syracuse vs. Seton Hall: It's-A The Pope-A!

by Sean Keeley on Dec 28, 2011 9:41 AM EST

The No. 1 Syracuse Orange put their streak of beating teams by the score of 80-61 on the line when they host the Seton Hall Pirates at 7pm. The game will be televised on Time Warner Cable, ESPN3.com and MSG.

We can't go too far without first discussing the last time the Pirates visited the Dome. Syracuse was undefeted and ranked in the top ten while Seton Hall seemed well on their way to Big East bottom-feeder status. The 90-68 butt-thumping they put on the Orange was as shocking as it was depressing to watch. Many, including myself, considered it one of the most ugly games the Orange have ever played.

Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard remembers the win fondly but realizes that night was the exception to the rule.

"Last year, we were able to make some shots, they missed shots and that's really all it came down to," said second-year Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard, who's squad ran out to a 26-16 advantage at the Carrier Dome and held on for the upset victory.

"The tough thing about this conference is when you're catching a team," said Willard. "Right now, we're catching Syracuse at a really bad time because they're playing excellent basketball, they're healthy, they're fresh."

Gone is Jeremy Hazell, who took roughly 1,428 shots against SU in his SHU career. But now the focus is on center Herb Pope. Which reminds me...

Hey! It's-a the Pope-A!!!

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Pope is second in the Big East to West Virginia’s Kevin Jones in points (20.3 per game) and rebounds (11.4). Sufficed to say, Fab Melo has his work cut out for him. We might want to throw Rakeem Christmas to the fouling wolves for this one.

Don't sleep on Jordan Theodore, who scored a career-high 26 points in Seton Hall's final tuneup, an 87-61 rout at Longwood last Friday, or Fuquan Edwin, their version of Dion Waiters.

The Pirates are doing well at 11-1. How well? They're off to their best start since the 1992-93 season, when they started14-1 and won the Big East. Remember the days when Seton Hall would win the Big East? Don't you dare tell me they're returning.

Regardless of what's happened before now, the Syracuse Orange have hit the reset button tonight. No one cares about the 13-0 start or the No. 1 ranking in the Big East. And Kris Joseph knows it.

"It's what we've been prepping for," senior forward Kris Joseph said. "The young guys, they don't really know what the Big East is like yet. But they'll learn soon enough. As far as us leaders, we just have to prepare them mentally for what it's going to be like. It's going to be a dogfight for the whole 40 minutes. There are no easy games in the Big East."

That said, does Syracuse owe the Pirates a little payback after last season?

"Yes. Point blank," the senior said. "Yes we do."

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I was expecting

a Father Guido Sarducci clip, but I’ll take this.

Fly, Eagles, fly...down, down the field!

by E Scott on Dec 28, 2011 10:20 AM EST reply actions

There is no way I'm betting on Syracuse to cover the 15.5 they're giving Seton Hall

First, we never cover double digit spreads. Second, I think Pope will have a lot of success against Kieta and Melo.

Lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief

by Rocket Ship Science on Dec 28, 2011 10:27 AM EST reply actions

Never say never

I bet you wish you made that bet!!!

by Joe Doherty on Dec 29, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

Shouldn't that be "Point blank period."

What would Scoop say?

"That's no moon..."
"Now you will wittness the fire-power of this fully armed and operational Death Orange..."

by Benny The Red on Dec 28, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions

We will be the best team they have played so far this year

on our home court. Pope is great, but his numbers show he is the only real threat this team has. If we shut him down, so goes Seton Hall. Lesser teams have had no real answer for him.

That being said, see January 2011 Seton Hall game. Its the first SU basketball game Ive ever turned off before it was over in disgust. It was that or smash the TV.

by Pinker on Dec 28, 2011 10:30 AM EST reply actions

That's a very big "if"

Especially since his strength, offensive rebounding and generally bruising interior play, is Syracuse’s biggest weakness. If they had a perimeter player averaging 20 PPG, I would be much more confident in the Orange’s ability to shut him down. I mean, Hazell gets all the hype for their win last year, dropping in 30 footers and whatnot. But Pope had 10/8 as well and, if I recall, was hampered by inuries most of the year. Hazell might have gotten Hall the lead. Pope helped them keep it with his work inside.

I hate to say it, but I think this might be a “Jordan Rules” situation; assume Pope is going to get his 20/11, and really concentrate on making sure no one else gets off. Pope is going to be a terror inside, but he won’t be able to win it by himself. I think the Orange would be best served by making sure he doesn’t get any help. Regardless of the gameplan, though, I think this one is going to have to be high scoring for Syracuse to win. They’re gonna have to get their run on off everything, misses, TOs. Hell, even try to run on makes. It’s the best way to mitigate their weak defensive rebounding.

"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes

by FeloniousPhunk on Dec 28, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Its a very Big IF

Melo and Keita will have their work cut out for them – but if anyone can do it, its this team. This is possibly the best and most complete Seton Hall team we have faced since the early 90s so I expect it to be close and a tough battle.

We were able to shut down Florida and their big so I know they can do it.

by Pinker on Dec 28, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

Patric Young

Is just a big, strong brute. He reminds me of Ben Wallace. Pope is big, strong and skilled. I think that a Fab/Keita/Christmas trio are up to the task. but I think it’ll be a long night for them

"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes

by FeloniousPhunk on Dec 28, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly -

let him get his 20, 25, as long as we shut down everything else…

F#&% the Big East

by dacj501 on Dec 28, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

x factors for seton hall

While The Hall doesn’t have much depth, watch for Patrik Auda and Aaron Cosby as potential difference makers inside and outside respectfully.

by PaulPierce on Dec 28, 2011 10:43 AM EST reply actions

Last years game had me in denial

this years game, put Seton Hall in denial

Since the early 1990's I have not been able to get Mike Hopkins' bloody face out of my brain. I don't remember what game it was but I'll never forget that as my first memory of SU basketball. Mike Hopkins, bloody face, bloody nose, all for the love of Syracuse.

by JFerg393 on Dec 28, 2011 11:03 AM EST reply actions

PS

Yay to Verizon Fios finally getting MSG HD 2 weeks ago. I would not have liked to watch the game in SD.

Go Cuse!

by nymetsfan1226 on Dec 28, 2011 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Thats good to know

Time Warner is getting ridiculously overpriced, and the recent $79.99 FioS 2 year deal for their triple play looks great.

The only thing that is keeping me tied to TW is TW Sports. They broadcast every single SU game, minus maybe 1 or 2 during the year that are blacked out by ESPN and are put on ESPN3 (laaaame)

Im getting really close to pulling the trigger and jumping to FiOS and finding games where I can, or going to a local sports bar (The Warrior!) if they arent being broadcast on FiOS.

by Pinker on Dec 28, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions