Syracuse Basketball vs. St. Bonaventure: 6 Things to Watch

Nov 13, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Kaleb Joseph (14) shoot a free throw against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks during the second half at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse defeated Lehigh 57-47. Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

More Kaleb Joseph Please

The one baffling coaching decision I noticed in the Lehigh game was that even though Joseph was on fire and playing great, Boeheim still pulled him out of the game and kept a struggling Cooney and Gbinije in. Is it just me, or is it not smart coaching to leave in the hot hand?  He’s had the best three point shooting in all three games thus far and even had an excellent drive to the hoop against Lehigh. Why take him out?

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Coaching decisions aside, Kaleb Joseph has been the biggest surprise this season. Whereas last year he was often indecisive with the ball or tried to do too much, this year it seems he’s playing within himself much more. He’s also massively improved his shooting stroke.

Watching him elevate and shoot with nearly flawless mechanics was impressive after some of the heaves he threw up last year. Joseph needs more minutes if he’s playing well. By that same token, if Gbinije and Cooney are struggling, Boeheim needs to rest them. He really needs to get over this infatuation with playing his upper-classmen as many minutes as is humanly possible.

Did we not see the exact effects of that down the stretch last year? I realize we had a short bench, but when Cooney is going 1-9 in a game, why would he not bring on Joseph, Patterson, or BJ? Even Patterson could go 1-9. It also would have given the starters a chance to breathe.

I know Boeheim talks all the time about how these are kids and they can handle the minutes, but the truth is that even kids get tired, or suffer injuries. The proof is in the pudding last year, as the Syracuse basketball team finished the season losing four of their last five games and averaging just 56.8 points in that stretch. That’s the sign of an exhausted team. But I digress.

The point is, we need more Kaleb Joseph. He’s got his confidence back and looks great, so give him the minutes! I’m optimistic that he will see more tonight. I think he will be a solid role player for us all year and if he can keep knocking down shots like he has been thus far, I see only good things for this team.