We’re back again with another edition of Blogger Beat, and this time I got in touch with Brian from Orange::44 to talk about the upcoming game on Saturday. It seems like everyone with any association to Syracuse at all is coming down to Philadelphia for the game this weekend, and Brian is one of them. Therefore, he was a little short on time but was kind enough to answer my questions. We’re going to hook up for a post-game questionnaire as well when he has more time. Enjoy!
Chris (I Bleed Blue and White): It’s been rough sledding lately for the Orange, although you’ve gotten some momentum back with the win over West Virginia. How confident are you heading down to Philly for this game?
Brian (Orange::44): I am fairly confident that Syracuse has found its winning ways again. They looked great against West Virginia. Of course, they have looked great at home this season, and not as good on the road. But both Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf are very hot lately, so if there is ever a time to play Villanova in Philly, this is as good a time as any during the season.
Chris (IBBW): Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku were hurt last week, but both managed to play against West Virginia, although their minutes were limited. What do they bring to ‘Cuse and how important are they to the Orange’s success? How effective will they be against Villanova is they are battling injuries?
Brian (O44): Having an outside shooting threat like Rautins hitting baskets is always good. He stretches the defense out and can really swing the points and momentum of a game. Conversely, Onuaku is a HUGE presence in the middle. Having one of the highest field goal percentages in the nation, when he is on, he can back down anyone in the country and defend anyone as well. He is a strong presence that will get points as long as he gets the ball. While they are vitally important to matching up to the elite in the Big East, you can see Syracuse beat West Virginia basically without them. Without them though, I just am unsure if Syracuse can keep up with Mr. Reynolds and the high octane scoring of Villanova. Either way, it might not matter much if we are still getting rebounds and Flynn and Devendorf are able to score on the regular.
Chris (IBBW): It’s no secret that Villanova is thin in the frontcourt, yet they seem to do well defending the opposing team’s big men. Where they struggle is defending guards, and Syracuse has plenty that can, and in Devendorf and Flynn’s case have, hurt Villanova in the past. Does Boeheim primarily go inside with Onuaku and Paul Harris or rely on the guards on Saturday?
Brian (O44): I think Boeheim’s first instinct is to drive to the hoop or play in the low post with Onuaku or Rick Jackson. If that is working well, then the outside game seems to come with ease. However, if the inside game is stalling, then the guards have a hard time really getting the outside game going. That being said, Flynn and Devendorf are fantastic at creating their own shot, so if they are at least shooting well, it should not matter if the inside game stallas at first. However, Boeheim usually goes to the inside game first.
Chris (IBBW): Never have been a fan of the 2-3 zone, but there’s no denying that Syracuse has made it an art form. Providence put up 100 on it though, and I noticed they didn’t torch you with the 3 ball like they did to us. Where are the weak points in Syracuse’s zone?
Brian (O44): While this team has clearly improved through the season playing zone, but being that we had several personnel out at Providence, the players on the floor were forced to play longer than they are sued to. Therefore the zone was a little more passive than it usually is. The weak point for the last several games has been just behind the back line in between the defenders. Team have had some easy looks making a quick and hard pass to the man behind the defense and then they have been getting uncontested looks at the basket. The zone was much sharper in that West Virginia game though. However, much like last season in the Big East Tournament, if the ‘Nova shooters are draining the long ball, the zone will have to expand up and the team could get some easy looks in the paint or with some back door screens.
Chris (IBBW): Jonny Flynn hasn’t been shooting at a high percentage in the Big East thus far (although he was magnificent against PC). What has contributed to those struggles and do you expect a big game from him on Saturday?
Brian (O44): I think this Syracuse team, more so in the past few season, is playing more like a team in that any one player can step up in any given game. Flynn before the Providence game has been the floor general distributing the ball, getting assists, and making quality passes for easier buckets for teammates. I think it is less struggling, more he knows what he needs to do to help his team win on any given night. During the PC game, he knew he had to take over and make it happen, so he did. That is the kind of player he is. I do expect a big game from Flynn tomorrow, and he should at least score around 15 points.
Chris (IBBW): Prediction time. Last year Villanova and Syracuse split the home and home series, with each team winning the road contests oddly enough. Villanova returns all its key components, while Syracuse lost Donte Green to The League but returns Devendorf and Rautins from injury. How does this one play out?
Brian (O44): This is a tough one to call just because Syracuse has played poorly on the road. I agree that Syracuse will probably split this series again this year, but this time I think Syracuse will win in the Dome, while ‘Nova will win at home too. I do think Syracuse is playing hot again however, so I would not be surprised if Syracuse squeaks out a winner either. My gut says ‘Nova by 9, but my heart says ‘Cuse by 6. Either way, it should be a fun game to watch, and this will be my first trip to Philly so I am very excited to see how it plays out.
Thanks to Brian for doing this, and I hope you enjoy your trip down here. For the record, this game scares me. ‘Nova has been on a great run though, and I can’t pick against them now. Villanova wins 74-68. Make sure you check out Orange:44, Brian does a great job.
