SU BASKETBALL: SU 77 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 65

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

"THOUGHT PROVOKING"? DID YOU EVER TRY AND PROVOKE A THOUGHT? SOMETIMES, THEY PROVOKE BACK.......OUCH....

....well true to form for this year's edition of 'Cuse Basketball.....after a bad loss our guys get a good win the next game.............and they tend to do better and fix some of their mistakes and miscues from the previous game........of course it probably helped that TLR did NOT go to the Dome and see the game in person (you're welcome SU fans)........but.......our guys moved the ball around better (though as that wise old coach Jimmy B always said- the game is easier when the ball goes in the basket) and played some excellent man to man D ........though they did have some second half lapses- a bad habit they still have.......more later........but the pack of wolves from NC State weren't able to capitalize..........and we were able to maintain enough breathing room to get a nice comfy cozy win.........we also saw a tall dude rise off the bench for some good minutes- again more later...........and........roll those drums.........JJ had a "starling" turn kind of night...........awesome game from B-Ville's own star...........but let us not spin any more yarns- and get to this one..............

but first- in the category of "About Damn Time!"......

Finally!- our legendary Dave Bing was finally- finally- placed in the Ring of Honor......for years we have heard how Dave put SU Basketball on the map and on the road to being what it is today- he is a NBA all timer, a former Mayor of Detroit- a class act in every part of his life....and.....he is a true Syracuse University Legend and Icon.......and so richly deserving of being in the Ring of Honor- but TLR again asks.......what the hell took the University so long to do this?........but, so glad he is there now- and the bonus was it gave a reason for Julie to get Jimmy B out of the house.......good to see him courtside at a game

now........speaking of game- let us blog

right on target- JJ had himself a merely awesome game.......26 points and 4 for 9 from arc land- he was spot on and confident the whole game........exactly the JJ we love to see.........but......Batman had a little help from his backcourt mate.......

the handyman- Judah scored 20 points.......but most importantly had 9 assists and 4 steals.... he was more in control then he was in in the FSU (P-U) game and got a lot of freebie looks- going 14-20 from the land of the frees.........

ring them up- and Chris Bell again ringed up some threes............going 3 for 6 and hammered home a "T" worthy dunk..........I should rephrase that and say it was NOT "T" worthy......stupid refs.........

Butch and Sundance- okay..........maybe not quite Butch and Sundance.....or Hooker and Gondorff (oldsters explain to youngsters, but don't "sting" them too bad) ......but our reliable twofer of Benny and Quadir........did their off the bench thing.......Benny with 11 points and 5 boards and Q with 5 points and solid d........

walking tall- and TLR has to give props to Peter Carey.......all 6'11" of him.,....Maliq got into some foul trouble which limited his usual game........but Carey came in and played really well........he didn't score and had just 4 rebounds.......but he played smart and did a good job to contain the "tank" that was at center for NC State.........TLR guesses we'll see more of him.........

man up- and unlike the FSU (P-U) game.....our man to man defense was smart and active and effective (all in front of legendary Coach 2-3 zone himself too- interesting)........it is true NC State was not quite as good as FSU...but our guys bounced back from a poor effort and did done good...this is so far a season habit forming...we have a bad loss and play bad- then we play good the next game and win- but speaking of habits.........

is there a patch?- and what has been a consistent habit for this team is that they lose focus after getting a good lead..........they get a bit sloppy.......now, to be fair this happens a lot to lots of teams.....you're up by a bunch and you lose a bit of focus..........but, it is important to recognize when that happens and to get refocused.....our guys did manage to wake up in time- but if not for some missed plays here or there.....NC State may have made this way more "interesting" down the stretch.........

who's got next? - we play BC on the road Tuesday the 30th at 7 PM.....buckle up

final word- TLR has taken out the shovel and unburied the lead............we won the game, our backcourt dynamic duo looked like the duo that we hoped we would see at the beginning of the year........and fingers crossed- our younglings have not gone on any losing streaks......they lose a bad game, then win a good won the very next time............good stuff........so......let us hope we keep that going- more stuff to come so as TLR sez......moving on..........blogout!.....whatsayu?.....