Response to SJ Regarding The Cuse

Thanks for the input SJ

NCAA Mens Basketball Rankings as of Monday 12/28/2009

      For those Big East fans out there, you have to be pumped to see 4 Big East teams in the top 10 of the Associated Press rankings, and 5 Big East teams in the Top 13.  However, the concerning factor being that no other Big East teams are ranked at this time.  Earlier in the season, there were 8 Big East teams ranked in the Top 25.  We'll see how these numbers change as conference play gets under way, however, with the strength and talent across the board in the Big East, it's clear that a .500 or better record in conference play will mean that team is battle tested.  Syracuse University(12-0) opens up their Big East season against Seton Hall University(9-2) tomorrow at 9pm.  The Hall just came off a very tough fought overtime loss to now 6th ranked West Virginia.  SU vs. Seton Hall should be a battle...can't wait.



Associated Press Top 25


1 Kansas
2 Texas
3 Kentucky
4 Purdue
5 Syracuse
6 West Virginia
7 Duke
8 Villanova
9 North Carolina
10 Connecticut
11 Michigan State
12 Kansas State
13 Georgetown
14 Tennessee
15 Ohio State
16 Mississippi
17 Washington
18 Temple
19 New Mexico
20 Texas Tech
21 Clemson
22 Florida State
23 Wisconsin
24 UAB
25 Northwestern

THE CUSE Remains Perfect with 75-51 Victory Against St. Francis

   SU fans must be happy they saw no let down by THE CUSE today against St. Francis.  After a much tighter game Thursday against the Florida Gators, this afternoon SU proved they truly have a balanced scoring attack and were able to dominate down low.  Today, Senior Center Arinze Onuaku showed his presence in the paint with clutch shots and a fabulous left hand as he put up 14 points on 70% shooting from the floor....that a baby Arinze!  Syracuse is now 10-0 on the season for the first time since the 1999-2000 season in which they started 19-0.  You truely never know which guy is going to lead the team in scoring, as 8 players can each put up double digits if called upon to do so.  Against St. Francis, Junior forward Rick Jackson had 11 points and hauled down six rebounds.  Junior forward Wes Johnson put up 12 points with nine boards while also logging three steals, 2 assists and a game-best four blocked shots....wow, this guy gets up in the air.  Redshirt freshman Mookie Jones was the last double digit scorer with 10, as he made 3 trifectas in the game today.  I was a bit surprised to see Mookie put up the numbers he did, but he looked great doing it. 
         At this point in the season I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised with the high level of point guard play out of Scoooooop Jardine.  He's consistenly played and handled the ball well and it's definitely evident that the team and coaches are expecting great things from Jardine on the court each game.  I never thought of Jardine as much of a scorer, but he's even been able to do that this year, as he's averaging 8.9 points.  He's an impact player that's been a big jolt for The Cuse so far this year.  Jardine's known as a solid passer and today was no different as he dished out a game high 9 assists.  Coach Boeheim had this to say after the game about the team chemistry and particularly the team passing: 

      "We played well together. We had 24 assists again tonight -- everyone has been very unselfish, looking for each other. We work hard and we are getting better, we just have to keep improving. We played just the first part of the season and we have a long way to go. The bottom line is we have to get better."

It was a positive effort all around today as St. Francis didn't pose much of a threat against SU's size and superior skills.  The one thing I do want to see going forward, however, is for SU to get the number of turnovers down, as they had 16 on the game today.  I'm sure everyone else is greatly looking forward to SU's upcoming BIG EAST schedule, but for the time being we're all happy with SU's out of conference W's that keep wracking up.  Go Cuse, keep the train rollin'....