Bleacher Report - Articles by Larry Rulison

Without Devo, Orange Outwits Tigers in Memphis With Trademark Zone

Larry Rulison — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:59:45 -0500

With starting shooting guard Eric Devendorf out after being suspended indefinitely, Syracuse beat Memphis 72-65 Saturday night, in Memphis.

Sophomore Rick Jackson emerged as a starter who will likely be a key to the Orange season this year, especially when Big East play starts. Jackson had 14.

But with Devendorf out, point guard Jonny Flynn became the leader he needs to be this year if the Orange want to make the Final Four—or better. Flynn scored 24 points even though his participation was a game-time decision because of a hip injury.

Memphis is a highly-flawed team. Syracuse's trademark 2-3 zone kept the athletic Tigers out of the paint and forced them to shoot three-pointers. They aren't a very good shooting team, so this defensive strategy was key for the 'Cuse, which led at the half by two points and only gave up the lead briefly in the second half.

This is a huge win for the Orange. First, they are now 11-1 even before conference play, and they have beaten Florida, Kansas, Virginia and now Memphis. Even with just an average Big East season they are a sure-fire NCAA team. There is no way the 'Cuse will miss the tourney this year. They could finish under .500 in Big East play and they would still be a lock.

So who to thank? Thanks Paul Harris. He hit a huge three-pointer with Memphis trying to make a comeback, and that is not Harris' game. But he knocked it down with about three minutes left and the Tigers trying to rally. It was a huge blow to the team that lost to Kansas in last year's title game.

Oh, and the defending champs? Syracuse beat them too.

Syracuse-Canisius: Orange Shows Its True Colors Again in Blowout Win

Larry Rulison — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:10:29 -0500

If you were wondering how the heck Syracuse lost to Cleveland State on Monday, your questions were answered Wednesday night when the Orange pulled off a convincing win against Canisius, 82-60.

Like the nine other teams that came into the Dome looking to pull an upset over the Orange, Canisius played well during the first half of the game.

And Syracuse sat around watching the ball go off the backboard.

Rick Jackson led all Syracuse players with 14 points and eight rebounds, and Paul Harris recorded another double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

But it just appears that the Orange will only play hard enough to keep a team at arm's length. They don't hustle the entire 40 minutes like Duke or North Carolina do. They have also been plagued by turnovers. They had 13 against the Golden Griffins, and they lost the battle for offensive rebounds, 19-16.

Maybe the team is banged up. Flynn looks like he has multiple injuries, and Harris may also be hurt. The Devendorf suspension case is also hanging over the team's head.

The team may also be looking ahead to a huge Memphis game, in Memphis, a game that will be the last heavyweight non-conference game of the year. If Syracuse wins at Memphis, they can rest assured that no one will question their résumé this year come March.

Granted, Syracuse won by 22, but it was basically an even game for much of the first half.

The real highlight of the game was that Syracuse's two freshmen, Mookie Jones and Kris Joseph, are ready to play, and both are fearless, so if the team does lose Devendorf for the year, they have to be able to fill the points void.

But what this team needs right now are some leaders, which they lack. Flynn is the natural leader, but he only seems to take over games when the Orange need him too. I think Devendorf, who is in his fourth year with the team, won't step up his leadership until his situation is solved.

Regardless, here we come Memphis. Look out.

How To Recover From the Cleveland State Miracle and Why SI's Seth Davis is Wrong

Larry Rulison — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:19:08 -0500

I woke up this morning feeling a little like I did back when Syracuse let an extremely pesky Vermont team play out of its mind and snatch a victory from Syracuse back in the 2004 NCAA tournament.

I still cannot look at former Catamounts coach Tom Brennan without disgust, and I'm sure every time I see Gary Waters again, I will surely cringe thinking about The Shot that beat Syracuse in the Dome, 72-69.

It's not as if Syracuse didn't deserve to lose the game. It was a miracle alone that Jonny Flynn hit a three-pointer and then Syracuse was able to force a turnover with 15 second left to allow Arinze Onuaku to lay in an Andy Rautins three-point attempt that was not close to tie the game.

We all just thought it would go to overtime. After all, this was the Dome, and Gerry McNamara was courtside, so weren't you expecting the Dome karma to take over and that the Orange would win in overtime?

Well, there is any easy way to get over this loss, besides mint cookie crumble ice cream. It's called Canisius. The Orange have Canisius Wednesday night in the Dome, and with one game, we can forget this devastating loss, which by the way, was to a really good Cleveland State team that will probably make the NCAAs and win a game or two.

As for Seth Davis's column in Sports Illustrated arguing that Boeheim should sit Devenedorf until his judicial appeal is complete, why?

The only reason I can come up with is because Davis, an avid Orange-hater—admit it Davis—doesn't have anything better to write about.

He calls out Boeheim for not sitting Devendorf after a judicial board found Devendorf guilty of violating three school codes after an altercation with another Syracuse student who claims he hit her Halloween night on SU's frat row. The board recommended Devendorf be suspended for the rest of the academic year, i.e. the rest of the basketball season. Devendorf plans to appeal the verdict Wednesday.

Seth doesn't know Boeheim at all. This is the first time I have ever heard Boeheim speak out against a judicial ruling against one of his players, and having looked at the evidence in the case, I agree with the coach. Although Devendorf is already on probation for a previous fight, there is nothing that says that he would face immediate suspension if found guilty for anything else.

Devendorf wasn't found guilty of hitting this girl, and there is little in the evidence to suggest that anything more than a verbal exchange occurred.

Students at Syracuse are allowed to appeal their suspensions and can do everything any other student can do during an appeal. Why should Boeheim sit Devendorf? Especially if he thinks that a suspension is going too far?

The judicial board said that its decision to suspend Devendorf was not meant to be punitive, but isn't suspending a scholarship basketball player a tad puniutive during basketball season?

Boeheim believes in his heart that this decision should and will be reversed, so I think he is within his right to allow Devendorf to play.

Boeheim has never abused that authority while coaching at his alma mater, has he Seth? I didn't think so.

Eric Devendorf Railroaded by Syracuse University For Halloween Night Spat

Larry Rulison — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:44:03 -0500

Remember this image of Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf because it may be the last you see of him in an Orange uniform.

A Syracuse University judicial board has recommended that Devendorf be suspended indefinitely and for the rest of the academic year after a fight with a female student.

A fight did occur. We know that. But to what extent the fight should impact Devo's career at Syracuse remains to be seen.

One thing is for certain, coach Jim Boeheim is livid, and I have never seem his like this. Before practice today, he railed against the board's findings against Devo and said he believes Eric could win on appeal.

Boeheim, who is a Hall of Famer and one of the most respected persons in coaching period, said that if Devendorf hit the woman, then he deserves what he got. But the coach says that did not happen.

In fact, the board found that Devendorf did not cause any physical harm. Boeheim characterized it Thursday as a verbal altercation and that the woman approached Devendorf. The incident took place in the early morning hours of Halloween night on SU's frat row, and hands may have been raised, but no one got hurt. There wasn't even a bruise. Check the police reports.

The problem is that Devendorf was already on probation at the university for a fight last spring that was never reported by the media. That is apparently what caused the board to decide to suspend Devendorf for the rest of the year, a move that would remove him from campus and make him ineligible for the rest of the basketball season.

Curiously, the board said that the suspension was not "punitive" but "educational."

Wait. Suspending a scholarship basketball player for the rest of the year is not punitive? Last time I checked, schools like Syracuse basically use players like Devendorf to make millions of dollars in tickets sales and advertising revenue from their athletic programs. The players do this so they can get a free education and maybe one day play professional basketball.

Even the best Syracuse players end up coaches at best. Only the premier players make millions in the NBA.

Devendorf, who received a medical redshirt last year after blowing out his ACL at the start of last season, could have made the NBA had he stayed around this year and completed his fifth year at Syracuse.

Now, he will be lucky if he ends up in the NBA's development league since he will effectively lose two seasons.

Punitive? Yes. This is extremely punitive.

My suggestion for the appeals board that will review Devendorf's coming appeal would be a suspension of 6 games, as well as anger management and community service. The judicial board said that Devendorf did not take his probation seriously, and that the suspension would provide Devendorf with "a useful opportunity to reflect and learn from his actions."

What is this kindergarten? Are you kidding me?

I'm sorry, but these college athletes are essentially servents of the school. They come to the school to perform, and the university charges money so people can watch them. By denying them the opportunity to play, it is defintitely punitive because it takes away the reason they were brought to the school. Is that cynical? Yes. But is it true? Yes. This is definitely punitive in a major way.

Did Eric Devendorf cross the line and get in some sort of confrontation with a female student? Yes. Was she hurt? No. Did she play a part? From what Devendorf's teamates testified before both the judicial board and the district attorney who wouldn't press charges, she approached him.

"He should have just walked away," Boeheim said Thursday.

Interestingly, it seems like the woman dated or went out with some of the Syracuse players who were present at the incident and testified at Devendorf's hearing. They all said that Devendorf was defending himself and did not hit the woman.

"Three witnesses back up what he said," said Boeheim, who noted that nothing criminal was found, and that Devendorf was only found guilty of violating student codes governing verbal harassment and disorderly conduct.

"It is clear that penalties have been and can be reduced," Boeheim said. "It is not automatic that you have to be suspended because you are on probation."

Once Devendorf appeals by next Wednesday, the appeals board has 10 business days to render a decision. The Orange will be entering the Big East season by then, with or without Devendorf. Let's hope justice is reached.

Worst Case Scenario For Syracuse Fans: Eric Devendorf Is Suspended

Larry Rulison — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:06:26 -0500

We can start talking about the 600-pound Otto the Orange sitting in the room.

Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf has been suspended by a university judicial board indefinitely for allegedly punching a female student in the early morning hours after Halloween on SU's frat row.

The incident occurred two days before Syracuse opened its pre-season against Cal State Los Angeles, and ever since the story broke just before the Cuse's win over Richmond on Nov. 18, the possible suspension of Devo has been hanging over the heads of every Orange fan.

I don't know what was said at Devendorf's judicial hearing, so I cannot make a judgment if he is guilty of punching the girl and saying some nasty things to her, as was alleged in the police report.

And Devo's attorneys have five business days to appeal this decision to an appeals board that has another 10 business days to either uphold, modify, or nullify the decision.

Let's just assume for now for the sake of this article that the appeals process doesn't work or Devendorf doesn't appeal the decision. Where is Syracuse basketball after such a promising 8-0 start? Up until now, this has been the most promising start in a decade. The Orange beat Florida, national champion Kansas, and Virginia all in one week.

Devo was averaging 30 minutes a game, the second highest on the team, and 14.1 points per game, the third highest average on the team.

If you think that is replaceable, think back to last year when Syracuse lost Devo for the year to an ACL tear. They never recovered.

His slashing penetration moves kill defenses, and he is also good with 3-point shots. This sets the Orange back greatly, especially when his leadership would be needed during the tough Big East schedule coming up in a matter of two weeks.

Now I hope that Devendorf, if he is innocent of the allegations as his lawyer contends, gets cleared and can come back and play this year. If not, shooting guard Andy Rautins is going to have to step up, along with freshman shooter Mookie Jones.

Jones, from Peekskill, N.Y., home also to Elton Brand and Ben Gordon, has been averaging under 7 ppg and just 13 minutes per game. He needs to play more and start making more of his outside shots.

Rautins, who has been a catalyst all year long in tight games, also needs to contribute more. He is only averaging 9 ppg and 25 minutes. He needs to be like Devo and score 15-plus points every game and get on the floor for 30 minutes or more. The playing time is for the taking.

This is a sad story for Devendorf, who sat out most of last year with the injury. But maybe this is a blessing in disguise because he now has a young daughter, and he didn't look 100 percent on the repaired knee. Maybe he needs more rest. I hope he continues to play at SU after this ruling next year.

But you also have to think that Syracuse needs to seriously consider some type of program to keep its basketball players out of trouble.

Don't you remember the incident last year with Scoop Jardine, and then the incident that went to a grand jury earlier this year involving Jardine and other players on the team?

Also, guard Josh Wright never finished school after getting into trouble last year.

Coach Jim Boeheim is constantly losing players to disciplinary and academic problems. Why doesn't that ever happen at Duke or North Carolina?

The Memphis game is coming just 10 days from now. I was hoping for a victory if Devo was in the line-up, but now I'm wondering how we're going to get through the Big East without him.

Andy and Mookie, are you ready?

Sick of the Rumors, Syracuse Orange Fans Wait for Decision on Eric Devendorf

Larry Rulison — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:47:10 -0500

As of 10:25 on Tuesday night, I still didn't know what to make of the Syracuse basketball season.

Sure, the Orange are 8-0 after an impressive stretch during which they beat Florida, Kansas, and Virgina all in one week.

But the real important number is No. 23.

As in Eric Devendorf.

Last Thursday, Devendorf testified at his own judicial hearing about whether or not he punched a female Syracuse University student in the face on frat row the night of Halloween.

I don't have all the facts in the case. I have read all the local stories about the case and saw the police report, and from what I can tell, something happened that night that sounded like there was some sort of confrontation. I just don't know if Devendorf punched the woman or if he was defending himself, as his lawyer claims.

The judicial committee has five business days to render a written decision in the case, and it's not something the university will announce. But you know that if the ruling is in Devendorf's favor, his attorney would reveal the results immediately. That hasn't happened yet, and the committee got the case last Thursday.

It's been three days, officially.

Once there is a decision, Devendorf or his accuser can appeal the decision to an appeals committee. That panel has 10 business days to make a decision. I don't know if the case gets reheard or not or if the appeals board just rules on the evidence given at the first board.

It's possible the case is already at that appeals board, and we don't even know it.

I have been watching the message boards, and I know people in Syracuse who have all said the same thing. They say they have only heard bad news is coming.

If that is true, it's almost hard to believe because this time last year, Devo's knee blew out in a freak on-court accident, and he was lost for the year. Isn't that what every Syracuse fan is thinking could happen again?

By the time you read this, there may already be a decision, maybe not. But the message boards are still ablaze, and Orange nation still waits.

The season hangs in the balance.

Want to Know the Secret to Sucess of Orange? Read This

Larry Rulison — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:58:20 -0500

The Syracuse Orange are 8-0. Florida, Kansas and Virginia lay in their wake. They just scrambled to beat Cornell, 88-78, after trailing by five at halftime.

So is it the three-point shooting after the return of Andy Rautins and Eric Devendorf? No.

Is it the bench depth?

Not really.

So what is it?

Well, Syracuse has been crushing its opponents getting to the free throw line, and it has been able to convert.

In fact, Syracuse has been getting to the line so much, once might think something was going on. In the NBA, teams would be protesting.

But what it really shows is that Syracuse is much more physical this year, and that bodes well for the Big East schedule, which we all know is about physical play.

Here are some interesting stats. Against Florida, Syracuse went to the line 32 times. Florida went 13 times.

Against Kansas—in Kansas City, mind you—the 'Cuse went to the line 37 times, versus 20 for the Jayhawks.

Tell me this isn't an incredible stat. Jim Boeheim is probably going to want to wring my neck.

But maybe it's because Syracuse is just that physical this year. Paul Harris is leading the way, in my opinion. In fact, Syracuse's set play from tip off is to tip the ball to Harris and have Harris try and draw a foul on the first play. Or get a basket.

And with all these fouls, Syracuse has shot well from the line. In its last three games, Syracuse has shot over .700 from the line—unheard of from a Syracuse team.

Look out. The 'Cuse are coming to the hoop.

Syracuse Pummels Colgate: Harris Plans to Shed Locks

Larry Rulison — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:22:09 -0500

Syracuse easily beat Colgate 86-51 Monday in the Carrier Dome, but the biggest news of the day may be that Paul Harris is going to cut his hair.

Harris led all scorers with 22 points for the game, getting some layups and hitting some mid-range jump shots.

He also had his trademark corn rows picked out of his hair. The Time Warner TV announcers said that Harris is planning to cut his hair before the Cornell game Wednesday on instructions from point guard Jonny Flynn.

Colgate only scored 13 points in the first half, a record low for any team that has come into the Dome. Although Colgate nearly outscored the Orange in the second half after hitting several three pointers.

Syracuse's three-point shooting seemed to disappear this game, which was troubling, especially considering that the Orange will likely need to shoot well from the three-point line once Big East play begins.

Another piece of good news is that Syracuse is once again a ranked team, as they are now ranked 16th in the AP poll and 20th in the ESPN/USA Today polls.

Syracuse-Kansas: Flynn Puts Orange on His Back in Dramatic Win Over Jayhawks

Larry Rulison — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:32:04 -0500

Jonny Flynn hit the most important shot of his college career Tuesday night, a three-pointer that sent Syracuse's game against Kansas into overtime.

The shot—arguably one of the most clutch shots since Gerry McNamara was in orbit for the Cuse—propelled Syracuse into overtime and an 89-81 win over the Jayhawks. When Flynn's shot went in, there were 6.4 second left on the clock.

Kansas played intense man-to-man defense in the first half, seemingly getting the Orange out of its rhythm. Flynn had several turnovers, which added to the frustration. At the half, Kansas led by 11. They increased the lead to 13 in the second half.

But then Syracuse switched from its trademark 2-3 zone to man-to-man, and Flynn was able to force his own turnovers and several breakaway fast-break layups.

"We won because of our man-to-man," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim told ESPN in a post-game interview. "Offensively, we got better in the second half. It was a gutty effort. It's a tough place to play. We might as well be in Lawrence. This is a great win."

Lawrence, Kansas is obviously the location of the University of Kansas campus and Fogg Allen Fieldhouse, where the Jayhawks are virtually (Richmond anyone?) impossible to beat.

The crowd in Kansas City at the Sprint Center was overwhelmingly a pro-Kansas crowd. Every basket by the Jayhawks was cheered as if this was a home game—an important home game.

But Dicky Vitale, who was the color commentator for ESPN during the game, said this:

"This is not Fogg, my friend, this is not Fogg," he said.

OK, it's not Fogg, but this was a huge win for the Cuse. They now have two wins against two Top 25 teams, and we're still in November.

This game felt like a Big East or Big 12 championship game. Even though they fell behind by a lot in the first half, Syracuse wasn't playing its best, and its interior game with Onuaku was incredible, although at the end of the day, the Jayhawks outrebounded the Cuse.

The key, it appears, was fouls. Kansas picked up 27 personal fouls, and Syracuse was able to convert on nearly 70 percent.

Bring on Virginia Friday, but until then Syracuse should enjoy these wins and its CBE Classic championship. They have Jonny Flynn to thank.

Syracuse Tames Gators, but Jayhawks Present a Serious Problem

Larry Rulison — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:01:32 -0500

Rest up Syracuse, because Tuesday night is going to be a serious battle. The Orange may have "upset" Florida Monday night in Kansas City—a great non-conference win for Syracuse—but Kansas is a tough team. They just dismantled Washington 73-54, playing great defense.

Syracuse and Florida didn't play much defense, and Florida seem to be more inexperienced than the Cuse.

With Devendorf shut down because of Florida's zone defense that clogged the lanes, Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris each scored 18 points.

But the real key to the game was the play of Andy Rautins, who hit five threes in the first half for 15 points overall. Rautins was exploiting the zone big time, like teams would do to an under-manned Syracuse team last year.

Again, Syracuse's defense was almost non-existent, and they had too many turnovers (16). However, they out-rebounded Florida by eight, and were just plain tougher at times.

But Kansas is a great team, led by Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, and Syracuse will have their hands full. Should be a good game.

Notre Dame Needs to Join Big East, Syracuse Loss Illustrates Why

Larry Rulison — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:40:20 -0500

I'm not a Notre Dame basher, although I am a Syracuse fan. I love the history and tradition of Notre Dame and the Fighting Irish. I even like Charlie Weis.

But, Notre Dame needs to hang up the NBC contract and join the Big East in football.

Greg Robinson just showed you why. This is the only statistic that you need to know: Since 2002, Syracuse is the only non-bowl team to beat Notre Dame at home, except for Michigan State, which went 5-6 in 2005 after beating the Irish.

Note: The Spartans seem to have a special ability to win in South Bend, coming out victorious in 2007, 2005 and 2003.

Syracuse's 24-23 win is a colossal loss for the Irish. But, how can they get to a national championship game playing this schedule. Do you think they are going to beat USC in LA? No way!

How are they supposed to bet the meat of the Big Ten each year (Mich. and Michigan St.), then beat the armed forces, and then Boston College and whoever else gets thrown their way.

Notre Dame should join the Big East in football, and at the same time, the Big East should offer Navy and Army membership. That way, Notre Dame could keep them in the schedule, and if they want to keep playing USC and Michigan, let them.

Does Charlie Weis deserve this schedule? No, it's insane.

And if this doesn't happen, here is my suggestion for Syracuse AD Daryl Gross: Please put natural geographic rival Army on the schedule and possibly Navy. Maryland would also be good. Those are good eastern football rivals. Let's hope that Notre Dame joins the fray.

If Syracuse Plays Like This, Then Good Things Will Happen In Kansas City

Larry Rulison — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:36:39 -0500

The Syracuse Orange have their biggest stretch of early-season games coming up this coming week. The list includes Florida (No. 18 AP, No. 19 ESPN/USATODAY) on Monday; either Washington or defending national champion Kansas (No. 24 AP and ESPN/USA TODAY) on Tuesday (both games are in Kansas City), and Virginia in the Dome on the night after Thanksgiving. Who made this schedule? Dr. Frankenstein? It's mad!

But it's also so thrilling and I think this edition of the Orange is up to the challenge. If you watched Cuse's 86-66 win Friday night against Oakland, what you saw was a free-flowing, pass-happy, relaxed Orange team that was playing pretty tough defense, mostly man-to-man.

Sure Oakland is a mid-major, but the Golden Grizzlies just beat Oregon in Eugene. They are a tough team with some really good shooters.

Jonny Flynn, the best floor general at Syracuse since Sherman Douglas and Pearl Washington, has been the key to this very balanced team. Flynn had 18 points and 4 assists in 31 minutes, which means that he got nine minutes of rest, which is a lot for the tireless point guard.

What should we expect in the Florida game? The Gators have destroyed Toledo and Bradley, no slouches. Their best players are Nick Calathes, a 6'6'' sophomore guard/forward and Dan Werner, a 6'8'' junior forward. Both are averaging 15 points per game.

This is going to be a very evenly-matched game and they key will be which team plays better defense and can rise to a big-game occasion.

Florida is long, but I don't think they can match Syracuse's bigs inside. The key to a Syracuse win will be 20 points each from Flynn and Devendorf and some dominant play (i.e easy buckets) by centers Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson.

This is a game that can shut up all the Boeheim-never-leaves-New York state-before-January critics. It's in Kansas City against potentially two Top 25 teams. It's potentially the last two national champions.

On the heels of the Syracuse football team's 24 to 23 win in South Bend, it doesn't get any better than this.

Syracuse-Notre Dame: Biggest Win of Greg Robinson Era is Also the Sweetest

Larry Rulison — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:51:24 -0500

Greg Robinson had nothing to lose. The embattled Syracuse football coach, who had never really coached the Orange to a win that inspired hope here in Syracuse, finally did it. He beat the Irish at Notre Dame Stadium 24-23 in stunning fashion.

It was the best win of the Robinson era, and the irony, or perhaps tragedy, is that it comes just six days after he was fired.

It almost made it sweeter, more poetic, because Robinson was a good guy and everyone in central New York wanted him to succeed.

Even the man who had to ultimately can Robinson, Athletic Director Daryl Gross, heaped only praise on the man in terms of character and his devotion to the community. So did basketball coach Jim Boeheim.

It seems everyone loved Robinson. We just couldn't live with the results, and neither could Syracuse.

Without a doubt, this will go down as one of the greatest Syracuse wins in many years, and so it's a fitting goodbye.

The irony is that this win will likely turn up the pressure on Charlie Weis, Notre Dame's coach who has seven years left on a huge contract, estimated to be close to $4 million per year.

If you are a fan of Notre Dame football, you've got to feel a lot worse than a Syracuse fan could ever feel, even though this was just Robinson's seventh win in four years. Heck that's considered a bad year in South Bend, although Weis had struggled to live up to those expectations.

Syracuse fans, savor this sweet victory. This is what we had hoped for, and still wish for Syracuse football to be about.

As for the Fighting Irish fans, they are staring at a $28 million question.

Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Not Relying on Trademark 2-3 Zone This Year

Larry Rulison — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:24:59 -0500

"The real strength of the Princeton offense, strong outside shooting along with offensive patience, will punish any team that elects to play a sagging man to man or zone defense." - From Hoops Tactics page of Cybersportsusa.com

Jim Boeheim shocked the world Tuesday night. He played more man-to-man defense than his trademark 2-3 zone in the Orange's 76-71 win over the Richmond Spiders.

And it wasn't just a little more. It was a lot. Syracuse was in man-to-man defense for 30 of the game's 40 minutes.

Now one might believe that Jimmy was simply using the best method to defend the Princeton-style offense that Richmond uses, but it's more likely that this is the direction that Boeheim has wanted to move all along.

Last year, with a bench basically of two players, Boeheim couldn't play man-to-man. His players were too exhausted.

But with the three-point shot being so deadly in college basketball today, the 'Cuse often suffered devastating consequences against teams like Notre Dame, which aren't afraid to chuck the ball a lot.

Now Jim has the bench to be able to play man-to-man, and it appears that is what he is going to push on this team.

I will say that when the 'Cuse switched out of man to employ the zone midway through the first half, the Orange were able to pick off a lot of passes and turn those into transition baskets. On the other hand, Richmond drained a bunch of three-pointers, leading me to believe the zone wasn't at it best.

My last thought is that Andy Rautins looks way off his game coming off ACL surgery last year. He threw up a ton of bricks and was 0-for-7 overall from the field, missing five three-pointers.

He's apparently been doing great in practice, but I wonder if his added bulk—it looks like he added 20 pounds—has anything to do with the loss of his shooting touch.

Friday should be another good test with Oakland University coming to the Dome. Oakland just beat Oregon in Eugene.

Apparently the man to beat on Oakland is J.J., otherwise known as Johnathan Jones. He lit Oregon up with 32 points in 45 minutes. I think he is going to have to be guarded by Jonny Flynn, the most aggressive defender on the team, or else the Orange may be in trouble.

Man, I Was Pumped about Syracuse—and Then Reality Set in

Larry Rulison — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:22:14 -0500

Wow, I said to myself. Syracuse had just beaten Richmond 76 to 71 in a spirited victory that felt like a Big East game.

Eric Devendorf scored 22 points, and Jonny Flynn put up 27 points (one shy of his personal record) in a come-from-behind win.

It was great. Syracuse was down by seven at the half. But at the time, I thought, this team with all of its weapons can come back easily.

And they did. Early in the second half, Devo scored 11 points to put the Orange up by six. Flynn scored 27, establishing himself as the leader for this team.

But when I was listening to Boeheim's press conference on suathletics.com, one reporter (or blogger) asked about a news report about Devo on WSYR, which has a radio and TV station in Syracuse.

My stomach turned over a thousand times. I wanted to puke.

I believe that everyone is innocent until proved guilty, but this report sounded a lot like a case that occurred over the spring/summer.

The only good thing I will say is that the DA in Syracuse refused to bring charges against Devo. He was accused of harassment for allegedly hitting a female student.

I have no proof anything happened, but it seems like SU basketball players have a way of getting into trouble. Maybe they are just targets. I hope so, for the program's sake. I cannot take another year of this. From Billy Edelin to Scoop Jardine, it seems that Jimmy's kids seem to always find themselves in the thick of problems.

Boeheim said he would allow the case to go through the university judicial system and wouldn't comment until that process is done.

"I don't know if he did it or not," Boeheim said. "I was not there."

OK, we're done laying out situations. What is amazing is that Syracuse played the entire man-to-man in the second half. Yes, 20 minutes.

Is Jimmy abandoning the zone?

Devo will be key this year, which is why the WSYR report is so upsetting. But Devo seems unfazed.

Here is what he said in post-game comments on suathletics.com:

"I guess you could say I'm back, but I felt I never left," he said.

Next game is Friday in the Carrier Dome against Oakland University, which, like Devo, hails from Michigan.

"We've got to get a victory, definitely," Devo said.

Feels Like March In The Dome-No Cakewalk for Syracuse

Larry Rulison — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:33:55 -0500

Are you ready for the Richmond Spiders?

Well, if you are a fan of the Syracuse Orange basketball team, think of this as a first round game in the NCAAs.

A tough first round game. And there is no let up after that. Syracuse plays seven games in 16 days.

And by the way, the opponents include Richmond, who have a strong nucleus coming back from last year, including A-10 rookie of the year Kevin Andrews.

Then Syracuse plays Oakland University. Have you seen Oakland's schedule? They will play anyone anywhere, including Oregon, Michigan, Iowa and Michigan State.

And then comes the ridiculous part of the SU schedule. The Cuse play Florida, either Kansas or Washington and then Virginia, all in one week!

Then there is Colgate—hey, don't laugh, the 'Gate always plays Syracuse well, and then Ivy League champs Cornell come to the Dome. I think all seven of these teams are potential NCAA teams this year.

After Syracuse's 34 point victory against LeMoyne College on Monday night, Jim Boeheim said during the post-game news conference that this will be the test of all tests.

Any longtime Syracuse fan knows this is the toughest non-conference schedule that Jimmy B. has ever put together. But he knows his team. When he doesn't believe in his team, he lays off and schedules cup cakes. He's not laying off this year. That is a good sign.

And we haven't even mentioned that Syracuse plays Memphis, in Memphis on Dec. 20.

"We just probably have the toughest schedule of anybody in the country the next few games," Boeheim said. "We're just going to have to work our way through it. We'll find out early this year what we're going to work on."

So what will be the keys this year to getting 20+ wins and making it back to the NCAA? Here are my keys:

Physical: I think that Boeheim has not been playing Paul Harris and Kristof Ongenaet because he knows there are going to be his rebounding and physical players down the stretch. He wants them well rested for battle.
Flynn's health. I cringe every time Jonny Flynn goes to the floor in a hard foul or selling out a move to the basket. Hopefully, the team's No. 1 leader stays healthy. Fewer minutes with the addition of Rautins and Devendorf should help a lot.
Freshmen. Either Kris Joseph or Mookie Jones need to have a breakout year. My bet is on Joseph. He's a natural.
Shooting. Syracuse must improve its three-point percentage and foul shooting.

It's going to be a great two weeks. Think of it as March Madness in November.

Syracuse Hoops Wins Opener, Greg Robinson Fired: I Was Sad for About a Minute

Larry Rulison — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:24:52 -0500

I was watching Syracuse basketball en route to its first win of the year against Le Moyne College when I saw the news of the dismissal of Greg Robinson scroll across the bottom of the screen.

I was sad for a moment. After all, Robinson has suffered through four completely awful seasons with what can only be described as grace.

Because of that, I was sad for a moment—and then I thought of all of the possibilities for this program. I actually can't believe that we all suffered through this for four years and just three Big East wins.

Let's hope Randy Edsall can be lured away from UConn.

But let's get back to the game at hand. Syracuse basketball was playing in its first game, and all I can say is this is going to be fun.

Not only is Syracuse extremely deep—with a future star in Kris Joseph, freshman stud—but they are also about to embark on the most difficult non-conference schedule in SU history, with Richmond, Florida, Washington or Kansas, and then Virginia, all within the next two weeks. Buckle up, because it's going to be a very difficult and bumpy ride.

However, I think that Jimmy B is prepared for this, which is why he looks like Rick Pitino on the sidelines, sending two and three subs to the scorers' table to get into the game. It's hard to tell who is a starter and who is coming off the bench.

Devo and Rautins look good, albeit a little rusty. I love that this team doesn't sit around like last year waiting for Greene or Flynn to hoist an ill-advised three-pointer.

The final score was 85-51, SU, and although Le Moyne is Div. II, I think the Cuse came away with a lot of positives.

* They can pass this year. The Orange was looking like the Celtics with their unselfishness.

* Jonny Flynn doesn't have to do it all. This year, there are so many guards, Flynn can be a point guard again.

* Joseph is smooth. He is long and mobile, and he can shoot.

* Jimmy B. can go big or small. I saw Ricky Jackson and Arinze Onuaku in at the same time. That is the lineup that the Cuse will have to use against UConn, No. 2 in the country.

See you on Tuesday—and just remember, you can never take Richmond too lightly. Just ask Billy Owens.