Last year's full game for scouting.
St. John's vs #9 Syracuse 02/10/13 (Full Game)IMO, we took ourselves out of this one. IMO it didn't help we didn't have our head coach, nor Branch among others in this one. Watching this game, it is apparent that we were just sooo sloppy and all over the place for much of the game. We did the right thing by setting picks at the top of the zone but our guards rarely used them, and we really lacked that other offensive forward like Sanchez. In addition, we turned it over a bunch for easy fast breaks when we got trapped around the basket and just kicked it out to the wrong guys aka Syracuse guards at the top of the key who were off to the races.
I think we are a much better manned and more experienced team. The addition of Branch and Jordan to our guard lineup should be big as well as all our other new additions like Sanchez, Hooper etc. the extra year of experience should help quite a bit as well. Most important addition is probably Lavin back to the bench and Whitesell helping our offense prep for this matchup.
As evidenced by our abuse of Fordham, we were much better prepared to attack the 2-3 offensively, and this Cuse team this year does not defend like last year's with Carter Williams, Triche etc.
I think we have a very good shot to win this one if we just play smarter ball at both ends, and attack the holes in the zones but with better sharing of the ball when we get trapped. I like that Sir'Dom will be on C.J. Fair this year for much of the game instead of Greene/Harrison who could not match up with his height, athleticism very well. Need to use our depth out there and wear down their guards. They have very few of them. Press them and make them work. Tired Ennis and Cooney will make less shots.