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.

'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.