The Orange played a quality opponent earlier than usual this basketball season and the Orange also lost for the first time in the year earlier than usual. On paper a 64-61 loss to a very good Wichita State team is nothing to fret too much about. Of course its when you hear that at one point in the first half the Shockers went on a 27-1 run and led 35-12 at one point that you are reminded on what work there is to be done.My first thought when I heard about the Wichita scoring spree was that this was totally within the sphere of Syracuse basketball and I barely even blinked. Besides, the Orange have trailed by double digits in the first half four times already this year. But what was more surprising was the run that the Orange made in the end, almost coming back to win. In years past, this game might end in a twenty-point blowout.
Paul Harris and Terrence Roberts led the way with fourteen points each while Roberts and Daryl Watkins combined for twenty-five rebounds.
While some might find this as a good reason to jump ship on the Orange already (how do you put yourself on the bubble losing to the #17 team in the country in December?), I see a lot of positive in the fight of this team. Harris seems to have the determination and the will to step it up...the question is can the Orange play a full game of good basketball or will they be a team of two halves all year long?
No rest for the weary as the Orange travel to Madison Square Garden to play Oklahoma State in the first game of the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday (Arizona vs. Louisville to follow). The Cowboys are still undefeated and on the brink of the polls but they haven't been tested yet. With one test under their belts, hopefully the Orange can respond. We shall see.