Syracuse vs. Providence: Back Into The Friar

by Sean Keeley on Jan 13, 2012 11:00 AM EST in Syracuse Basketball

It seems like only last week the No. 1 Syracuse Orange were beating the Providence Friars by the score of 87-73. I suppose because that's quite literally what happened. A little older, a little wiser, the 12-6 Friars are looking for a little payback and a kickstart to their post-season goals when they visit the Dome Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

Since our dual in The Dunk, the Friars have had two very interesting games. First, they played America's darlings, the Seton Hall Pirates, closely but fell short. Vincent Council scored 23 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds in the loss for Providence.

They followed that up with a win that was about as shocking as any in Big East play since Seton Hall's trip the Dome last season. Their 90-59 decimation of then-No. 14 Louisville was disturbing on multiple levels. Once again it was Vincent Council leading the way, scoring 15 points and a game-best 14 assists for the Friars.

Not bad for Ed Cooley's first Big East victory.

With four days to rest and prepare, the Friars come back at us looking slightly more dangerous than they did the first time around, if only because they've played us once before. They know exactly what they're getting and what doesn't work. Council and Gerard Coleman each sprung for 17 against the Orange and you better believe they'll be looking to break that mark.

And of course, Bryce Cotton will likely take many three-point shots (7 in the first game), looking to hit more than the three he connected on. Cotton is in the midst of a rough stretch, including a 1-for-9 shooting spree against Seton Hall. I'm sure he's looking for a slumpbuster.

With a win, the Orange will tie the 1999-2000 team for the best start in school history (19-0) and Syracuse University will drown in new t-shirts comes Monday. Incidentally, Providence was the last team Syracuse beat before losing their first game of the season. Sorry to weird everyone out with that.

Syracuse leads the all-time series against Providence 45-10.

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

This game reminds me a little of the second Seton Hall game last year.

by adselver15 on Jan 13, 2012 11:04 AM EST reply actions

not at all

more of like lousvilles game against prov this year, both teams were playing poorley in a winning slump and hall/ prov shot the lights out on them

by kevin66l on Jan 13, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

cotton

pretty sure cotton already busted the slump going 5-5 on 3 against ul with 27 pts. but im postivley sure SU’s gaurds are alot more longer and athletic then ul and can contests his shots

by kevin66l on Jan 13, 2012 11:24 AM EST reply actions

Sean

We’ll be getting payback for all those 3’s with 3’s of our own from James, Brandon, and yes, in his mind…..Mookie

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 Jan 13, 2012 11:27 AM EST reply actions

Whew.

Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician - The Syracuse blog that cares.

If you've got time, buy my book "How To Grow An Orange", visit SeanKeeley.com and follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

by Sean Keeley on Jan 13, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

Bryce Cotton lit Louisville up... didn't miss a single 3

He’s definitely not looking for a slumpbuster

by DukePettyjohn on Jan 13, 2012 11:32 AM EST reply actions

I am def. nervous for this game

They played us pretty damn tough the first game

by WRT on Jan 13, 2012 11:33 AM EST reply actions

I can't decide

If I’m nervous or not. On one hand, Cuse has handled them before, so perhaps this game will be easier than the first? On the other hand, Providence knows what they didn’t do in the first game and will come in knowing how to attack this year’s zone.

by Skrunnch on Jan 13, 2012 12:22 PM EST reply actions

I feel like the second game is almost never easier than the first.

'Cuse 2010, Michigan 2012

by Orange22 on Jan 13, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Taking into account

that Providence always makes me nervous, this game seems to make me a little more nervous than I should be. Also take into account the way we let both Nova and Marquette back into games that should have been super easy wins, and we’re almost due to blow one of those leads.

Without Gerry McNamara we wouldn't have won 10 f-- games, not 10

by PoetryInMoten on Jan 13, 2012 1:54 PM EST reply actions

This is a game where I will be nervous

Right up until we win by 22.

by Mike I. on Jan 13, 2012 2:21 PM EST reply actions

I caught part of the weekly Ed Cooley...

…interview on one of the Providence radio stations last night, host John Rook was speaking with Bilal Dixon and Cooley, and Dixon was talking about how much film work they do, and how much it’s helping to identify opposing player’s tendencies, etc. Sounds like Cooley’s getting them much better prepared for their opponents than Keno Davis ever did, and it seem to be paying dividends.

So yeah, I’ll be nervous, but I’m always nervous.

This space for rent

by Mike84 on Jan 13, 2012 3:23 PM EST reply actions