Syracuse-Robert Morris Wrap-Up

Brent Axe says that Andy Rautins started the day as doubtful to play. When he left Jim Boeheim Court with 16:51 to play, there was no doubt who the best player on the floor was on this night. Axe says that if you had any doubts over who the leader of this team is, just look to the quotes from his teammates after last night's game:

"I told him. That is a leader, man." Syracuse guard Scoop Jardine said after the game.

"He leads by example. By him doing that, we all should follow and leave it on the floor just for him. If you had seen his ankle, I wouldn't thought he wasn't going to play. He's so tough, man. I saw it in his eyes before the game. He was ready to play."

"I think he should get hurt before each game if he is going to play like this" said Syracuse guard Brandon Triche. "I didn't even think he was going to play. He is definitely a tough guy, definitely a leader. He fires everyone up out there. We need him" 

So why was Rautins out there in spite of his injury?  He couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

"I really wanted to be out there for my teammates," Rautins said. "I feel a responsibility to be a leader out there."

Donna Ditota writes about how Syracuse's zone continues to wreak havoc.

On Wednesday, Robert Morris shot 36 percent and committed 28 turnovers. To add to that agony, the Orange blocked 14 of the Colonials’ shots. The 14 blocks eclipsed SU’s high in blocks for all of last season. (The Orange blocked 11 against Stephen F. Austin in the NCAA Tournament.)

Over two games, SU has limited its opponents to a combined 31.6 percent shooting. The Orange has forced a total of 60 turnovers.

A big part of the Orange success offensively is coming from the growth of their two-headed point guard monster...Scoopdon Trichdine:

Syracuse’s point guard tandem of Triche and Scoop Jardine contributed 16 assists against four turnovers in the Orange men’s 100-60 rout of Robert Morris. The specific scoring lines went like this:

Triche notched seven assists and one turnover. Jardine had nine assists and three turnovers. The pair also contributed 18 points and perhaps as importantly, went 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.

A special shout-out to walk-on Nick Resavy who scored his first point of the season.  May we see plenty more of Nick, especially because that probably means we're blowing someone out.

For those wondering who the phantom SU walk-on is with no name on his jersey, that's #13 Griffin Hoffmann.  He's on Twitter. Say hi.

Grad assistant Gerry McNamara looked too cool for school in his shades last night.  Was Gerry being a d-bag?  Not at all...he's just recovering from lasik eye surgery and the Dome lights are little too bright.  Whew.

• SU Beats Bob Morris Silly...Three Idiots on Sports
• Rautins Shines In Another Sound Victory...CuseOrange
• Unconcern...Cuse Country
• Robert Morris - Syracuse Postgame Reactions OR Andy Go BOOM!...Orange44
• It Was One Of Those Andy Rautins Games...Cuse Country

Videos after the jump...

Brandon, Wes & Scoop talking about the game and how things are going.  SPIT OUT YOUR GUM, BRANDON & SCOOP! 

Jimmy B's presser.  Mr. Excitement:

Tyler & Matt from the D.O. recap the game:

CitrusTV's Scott Grodsky was at the Carrier Dome to watch Andy Rautins and the Orange destroy the Colonials.