Bleacher Report - Articles by Chris Petrilli

Syracue Orange: We Run, We Win...Are We Now In?

Chris Petrilli — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:18:55 -0400

After a thorough trouncing of mighty Marquette team, I have got to believe we are in the field of 65. Aren't we? I would like to think so.

What a marvelous treat it was to go to that game yesterday, with an electrified crowd amped throughout the game. The Dome was actually exciting again, high fives a-flying, beers a-spilling, and even the greats were in attendance—Billy Owens and Pearl Washington, to name a few.

The team was very, very focused and aggressive play in the transition game is what won it. When we push, run, and attack, we are a great team. When we get into halfcourt sets and get timid, we lose.

So I say, run Paul, run Johnny, run Donte—if we do, we could go far!!

On a side note, seeing Paulus getting dunked on AGAIN was a nice nightcap!

Syracuse Victory Over Seton Hall Brings NCAA Debate

Chris Petrilli — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:58:14 -0500

Hall down, Marquette to go...

I was out at last night at the bar watching the 'Cuse game at Rosie O Grady's when my friend and I started discussing March Madness and all of its grandeur.

For years, people have been saying that March Madness is perfect for college basketball; that is the ultimate in crowning a champion and that the BCS should copy it.

I am here to say that the NCAA basketball tournament needs a facelift.

Why do we let these extremely weak teams in to play powerhouses if they are just going to get smoked anyway? It's pointless. I love the underdog as much as any fan but getting these teams in the tourney by them winning some garbage tournament with other bad teams, minimizes the great matchups we crave. These garbage teams getting in also negate other good teams getting in and robbing the fans of great matchups.

Maybe I am being partisan as a 'Cuse die-hard and all...but seriously, what's the point of watching UNC vs. Platypus State?

Syracuse Basketball: Orange Haters Beware

Chris Petrilli — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:11:39 -0500

With March finally here in Upstate New York and the shivers running up my spine with all the frigid temperatures, I can think of one thing that boils my blood and warms me.

I have been a lifelong Orangemen fan and this year has been especially painful. That steal of Paul Harris' last Saturday incited a list of expletives that have never been hurled from anyone's mouth.

This year my big toe has suffered more bruises from kicking any object to take out my frustration on this team.

This team is fun to watch and very talented, but they are fatigued and this is why they are losing. Their fate is now in their own hands—win out and two in the Big East tourney and we get in right?

I would think so, but then again we have the haters.

Seth Davis, Joe Lunardi, and Doug Gottlieb are the CEO, CFO, and President of the I BASH SYRACUSE COMPANY. They are the ones who start the rumors and the PR campaign to make sure we don't get in.

Why is that? Is Gottleib jealous that he could never ever play a lick at Okie State? Seth Davis is a waste of an AP vote and shouldn't even be allowed the luxury of sharing the same stage with Clark Kellog. And Lunardi is the most annoying of them all.

What makes him the doctor of bracketology? Who made him boss? What is his claim to fame? Nothing. ESPN just employed another annoying guy (Dick Vitale) and rolled with him.

I can't blame this all on the media, however, because one thing will stand certain come March: NONE OF THE EXPERTS will have picked it right.