Boeheim's Not so Shiny Moment

The Championship game will be the Louisville Cardinals against the Michigan Wolverines, decided after yesterdays game between the Wolverines and the Syracuse Orange. The Orange were down by the largest half-time deficit they have faced all year long, 11 points. They made their run though tying the game, but they fell short in the end with a final score of 61-56.

The top performers this game were CJ Fair and Brandon Triche of Syracuse, and Mitch McGary of the Wolverines. McGary had 12 rebounds and 10 points at center with 6 assists. Triche had 11 points and 8 assists, while CJ had 22 points 6 rebounds. If it weren't for Triche fouling out on a arguable charge call the Orange might have pulled off the win. Because after a free throw the Orange were down 3 points with ball, but sadly in Trevor Cooney's hands, this was possibly the worst play ever drawn up by Boeheim. I have no Idea why he would want a 6-4 freshman that hardly plays to drive.

Maybe the Orange would have tied it with time expiring if the ball was in CJ Fairs hands, James Southerland, or even Jerami Grant's. That just isn't how it worked out and the Orange would lose in the Final Four in their first appearance since 2003, when Carmello Anthony and Gerry Mcnamara lead them to a championship. This time it's Michigans' time to try and win it all. So good luck to both competitors, Louisville and Michigan!

By David B.

Underrated Big East Players

  The Big East is a very difficult conference, with unknown teams upsetting a highly ranked team.  C.J. Fair of the Syracuse Orange scores many more points than other teammates and leads his team in rebounds.  He is a player who runs the court and this season in recent games has been playing 38 minutes per game.  He is a humble player who doesn't get too amped up after a big play. "Fair is Unfair" is a common thing that people put onto their posters for Syracuse.  Fair is an excellent three-point shooter and can drive to the hoop quickly.  He is skinny but muscles his way to the basket.  With his ability to shoot and drive to the basket, he will improve a plethora of NBA teams.  The other underrated player in the Big East is Davante Gardner from the Marquette Golden Eagles.  Marquette is also an underrated team.  Davante Gardner is coming off the bench and is an excellent sixth man player.  He has a broad body and uses that size to box people out.  Coaches look for this in players; that they use their body to do what they are supposed to do.  He can also make a jump shot.  When Syracuse came to play the Golden Eagles, he made a jump shot from the elbow, surprising many of the spectators.  Defenders don't usually think big men can make jump shots.  He is like C.J. Fair in many ways, including their ability to drive to the basket and shoot.  These players muscle their way to the basket.  Davante Gardner and C.J, Fair are underrated players in the Big East and lead their teams to victories.  By Ameen I.

Cardinals Attack

  Today, Big East foes were facing off in front of a crowd of 31,000.  After Syracuse had upset Louisville earlier in Big East play, the Cardinals were seeking revenge.  The Orange were riding on a two game-losing for the second time this season.  This game was low scoring and close throughout.  C.J. Fair got hot in the middle of the first half, with a halftime score of only 23-19 Louisville.  Syracuse couldn't get their shots to fall in, many of them rattling out of the rim.  Syracuse, however, came back in the second half strong and on fire.  They couldn't be contained and got the crowd fired up.  In fact, Syracuse was playing so well, the fans started to do the wave throughout the whole stadium.  However, in the last 90 seconds, Syracuse turned the ball over and Louisville took the lead.  The Orange couldn't score and couldn't contain the Cardinals.  Since Syracuse couldn't score enough, the final score was 58-53 Cardinals.  Gorgui Dieng did an amazing job for Louisville with 11 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.  None of the Syracuse players could contain him.  Michael Carter-Williams was the leader for the Orange, and had 11 points, 7 boards, 6 assists, and 1 steal.  I think the real players of the game should be Russ Smith from Louisville and C.J. Fair for Syracuse.  Russ Smith scored 18 points to go along with 1 steal, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds.  Peyton Siva only had 1 steal, 4 assists, and 1 rebound.  He didn't have any points in this game.  In the whole season against Syracuse, Siva only scored 2 points.  C.J. Fair had 19 points, 1 block, 1 steal, and 6 rebounds.  He got Syracuse fired up by scoring 6 straight points for the Orange while getting the crowd loud too.  I don't think he receives enough credit.  Fair is scoring many of the Orange's points and played 38 minutes against Louisville.  Also, DaJuan Coleman returned and played for the first time in about four weeks after suffering a knee injury.  Louisville did a great job of getting behind the 2-3 zone and getting passes into the paint.

By Ameen I.

Big East

  The Big East is one of the most difficult conference in the country.  I think that the most difficult conferences in the nation are the Big Ten, ACC, and the Big East.  Right now, I am focusing on the Big East.  The Big East is expected to have seven teams in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.  Michael Carter-Williams from the Syracuse Orange is drawing attention for being the Big East Player of the Year.  In my opinion, Carter-Williams doesn't deserve the prestigious award.  Many players have risen this season.  Some of these players weren't eve heard of until this season.  Georgetown is in first place in the Big East after upsetting Syracuse in front of an NCAA record breaking crowd.  I think the Big East Player of the Year should go to Otto Porter of the Georgetown Hoyas.  He is an amazing player who can do the three things that every coach wants; to pass, shoot, and dribble.  Porter has had success against Big East foes in crucial games.  Otto Porter has led Georgetown in his years in college. He has been heavily guarded and still is scoring many of Georgetown's points.  I like the way that he doesn't get too fired up when he makes an important bucket, he remains humble.  Otto Porter reminds me of a player; Brandon Triche from Syracuse.  Every time either player drains an important basket, they remain quiet and get ready to play defense.  Although, Otto Porter is a better shooter than Brandon Triche and scores more points than him.  I think there are only two players who should be in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year race, James Southerland from Syracuse and Davante Gardner from Marquette.  Both players have faced off this season, Marquette coming out on top.  James Southerland has the ability to drain long distance threes and get some boards.  If he is tired he can jog over and be the trailer, and drill a three-pointer.  Davante Gardner is a big man and pushes people out to get rebounds, legally.  I like the way he uses his body to push defenders out and make space in the paint for himself to get the rebound.  Both players should receive more credit.  In my opinion, C.J. Fair from the Syracuse Orange doesn't receive the credit that he should be receiving.  Also, Russ Smith from Louisville.  C.J. Fair leads his team in rebounds and scores many of the Orange's points.  Russ Smith is a fast athlete with great cardiovascular endurance.  He has a great shot and can be relied upon in clutch moments.  Both of these players should receive more national spotlight and lead their teams to victories.  I think the most disappointing player of the year in the Big East is Peyton Siva from the Louisville Cardinals.  Last year he scared teams with his speed and passing abilities.  Now, he's barely an offensive threat for opposing teams.  He also backs down in rivalry games and doesn't score in the moments needed.  I think he needs to start scoring now, or else his career will start going down and won't return to hat he started at.  By Ameen I.

'Cuse fall to Otto Porter

The Syracuse Orange played hard, but definitely not hard enough as they came up short by 11 points to the eleventh ranked Georgetown Hoyas. The blame doesn't all go to Syracuse though some of it must go to Otto Porter Jr. the forward for the Hoyas who had 33 points and 8 rebounds. He also added 5 steals to his part of the box score.

For the 'Cuse they had almost no help from senior guard Brandon Triche who had made only 4 of his 13 shots, even though he had 10 points.But as usual C.J Fair a freshman played amazing with 7 rebounds and 13 points. Plus James Southerland who has been starting his games on the bench came out and played for 13 points.

I would like to say that you can't win a basketball game by yourself, but Otto Porter Jr. did he was the only player in double figures with 33 points except for Moses Ayagba who had 10 rebounds. If you ask me the Syracuse Orange played their worst at the free throw line shooting 66.7% as a team and the Hoyas had an excellent day at the line with a percent of 85.7.

By David B.

Fighting Irish Can't Fight 'Cuse

The Syracuse Orange had a little battle of brothers of their own after the Harbaugh Bowl on Sunday. The 'Cuse's freshman starter Jerami Grant faced off against his brother Jerian Grant of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In the battle of points Jerian wins as he had 15 and Jeremi had a season high of 14 points.

The real weapon for the 'Cuse was C.J Fair who had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Fair also had great defense with 3 steals and 1 block. Plus, Micheal Carter-Williams contributed the way he always as he had 8 assists, but only 5 points. The Irish had plenty of Jack Cooley who had 10 points and 11 rebounds. He also had 3 blocks, but that wasn't even the most for a single player. It was Rakeem Christmas who had 4 blocks for the 'Cuse and Rakeem had 12 points.

The final score of this game would be Syracuse 63 and Notre Dame 47. The record for Syracuse is now 19-3 and Notre Dame's record is 18-5.

By David B.

'Cuse Goes Down Again

The Pittsburgh Panthers beat the Syracuse Orange today, with a final score of 65-55. Syracuse was playing without two important players, James Southerland and DaJuan Coleman. Coleman is out with a knee injury, and Southerland is out with eligibility issues. If he played today I think Syracuse could've won. The Panthers bench outscored the Syracuse bench. You have to tip your hats to Pittsburgh though, pulling off an upset against Syracuse. Syracuse was playing sloppy and was outscored 27-25. That would be the halftime score. The Panthers brought their "A game" today. The second half was even worse for Syracuse, being outscored 38-30. Steven Adams, for Pitt, went out in the second half after being poked in the eye. Still, the Panthers won. Michael Carter-Williams fouled out for the Orange with one minute to go. This was an ugly game for Syracuse. Pitt, however, proved that they can beat anyone. C.J. Fair led the way for Syracuse with 20 points and added only three rebounds. Jerami Grant led Syracuse in rebounds, with only five. This is where not having DaJuan Coleman hurt the Orange, rebounds. Michael Carter-Williams leads the country with 8.9 assists per game, and only had 2 assists today. Tray Woodall led the way for the Panthers with 13 points, and added 4 assists and 5 rebounds. He was the only Pittsburgh player who was in double figures. Talib Zanna had 12 rebounds, leading the team. Lamar Patterson had 5 assists, a team lead, and tacked on 7 points and 4 rebounds. I think the reason Pitt won this game was their rebounding. They were grabbing most of the shots put up. Other teams in the Big East should look out, because Pittsburgh is a team that can beat anyone. I also think Syracuse will drop out of the top ten after losing two straight games. Syracuse plays Notre Dame next on Monday. The Panthers are now 18-5. The Orange are 18-3. If Syracuse wants to win, they have to play with much more intensity.

By Ameen I.

'Cuse over Bearcats

The Cincinnati Bearcats would have to face a conference enemy the Syracuse Orange. The Bearcats were coming off an amazing game against Marquette which Cincinnati would come out on top. Sean Kilpatrick did awesome against Marquette, he had 36 points. He did good against SU also just the Bearcats would come up short. Kilpatrick would end the game with 21 points.

Micheal Carter-Williams was amazing like he always is. He had a team leading 16 points and 7 assists. Plus Jeremi Grant had a good game too as he lead the 'Cuse in rebounds with 7. Jeremi Grant would come into the game when Dajaun Coleman was taken out of the game fairly early in the first quarter. Brandon Triche and C.J Fair have been hot in previous games and they have carried that momentum to this game when they would both put up 13 points. Fair would end with 6 rebounds and 100% free throw shooting in this game. The reason that SU would come out on top in this game is that they had played much better defense. They had 7 steals and the Bearcats only had 2. The 'Cuse 5 blocks compared to Cincinnati's 1. After this loss Cincinnati's record will drop to 16-4 and Syracuse will be 18-1.

         By David B.