Syracuse Basketball Roundtable: Who wins SU or Greensboro?
Our staff is back together to give their takes on the Syracuse basketball team in the NIT. First up, a snowy matchup against UNC Greensboro.
Our new weekly tradition here on Inside the Loud House is doing our weekly roundtable talk. Now we talk about the Syracuse Basketball game tonight.
Q: What’s going to happen tonight? Does SU show up and play hard? Does Greensboro come with something to prove?
Neil Adler- Contributor
I can only imagine how disappointed head coach Jim Boeheim, his staff, and the players are about not getting into the Big Dance. And, while a let-down could easily occur, I feel like the Syracuse basketball squad will come out firing on all cylinders.
We have two seniors and two grad transfers on our roster, and I’m sure that they want to end their careers on a high note. The stands may prove a bit empty, given the inclement weather, and perhaps the Orange will appear a bit sluggish out of the gates.
But, after Boeheim caught flack for his Greensboro comments last week, and SU is, naturally, doing battle with UNC Greensboro, I am confident our crew will play hard, and with a purpose. In the end, the ‘Cuse collects a relatively easy triumph and moves on to the next round of the NIT.
Josh Peelman- Contributor
Follow: @jnpmessenger
I agree with you Neil. This team has a bunch of seniors and grad transfers who don’t want to end their Syracuse Basketball careers on a low note. Yeah, sure the team will still be disappointed about missing the NCAA Tournament, but they’ll have to move on. With the game being played just two days after the brackets were revealed it does not give you a lot of time to recover. Disappointment is hard to overcome, but it’s something Syracuse will have to do.
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I think the game will be sluggish and slow to start as Neil noted, due to the bad weather. However, when the grad transfers and Tyus Battle get going, there will be no letting up on the gas.
Now don’t get me wrong, I think UNC Greensboro will want to come out wanting to bury us in our home arena as any underdog would. They’ll especially want to because we blasted their town with Jim Boeheim’s comments following the ACC Tournament. However, I don’t think that will really affect the game at all. Everyone’s making a big deal about it, but in reality, its really more like trash talk then actual motivation to beat someone.
I think even though UNC Greensboro has won 25 games this year, they won’t be any match for the Orange at home. Having been to NIT games in the Carrier Dome with my Dad growing up, I can tell you, weather or not, the fans will make the trek, and the environment at the Dome will be electric. Its like a playoff game and all bets are off. The crowd will be ready and will cheer our boys onto the second round. Sorry Spartans, but Syracuse is just too talented and they win a lot at home. So it seems the odds are in our favor. I like our chances in this one, as Syracuse wins by double digits.
Ryan Lee – Contributor
While no one is more disappointed being in the NIT than the Syracuse players and coaching staff. They also understand that they are the only ones to blame for their situation.
A group with many, if it is seniors or future pros, finishing up their college careers. We would have to expect them to come out motivated to show the world what kind of team the NCAA tournament is missing.
Would be interesting to see how they adapt to the new rules that are being tested in the NIT. The new rules and a possibility of a team like Indiana visiting the Carrier Dome next week will keep me more than glued to their NIT run that I EXPECT them to win.
Paul A. Esden Jr.- Site Expert
Follow: @BoyGreen25
I’m not afraid to say it boys, I consider the NIT the millennial equivalent of the participation award. This is embarrassing for SU to be playing in and I know this sounds like a spoiled Orange fan talking here, but this is beneath SU.
The Orange are consistently competing for Final Four runs and national championships. Which is precisely why I believe this team will be motivated to win the whole thing.
Andrew White and John Gillon never got a chance to compete in the NCAA tournament, and for the young guys on the roster they’re too young to understand the difference between the tournament and a series of exhibition games.
I think they’ll come out guns blazing as opposed to some of you other guys. While the best way to dispel the taste of sorrow is to get ready for your next game, I look at this short turnaround as a blessing. After having to wait five painful days for Selection Sunday this team is ready to ball, NIT or not. I foresee a dominant orange victory.
Josh Peelman- Contributor
Follow: @jnpmessenger
It really, in some ways it does feel like a participation award tournament, Paul.
Especially considering the weak bubble teams that made the NIT this year. Syracuse, who challenges itself, and proves its worth in the tournament year-and-year-out gets stuck with the second best crop of teams just feels wrong.
Now, instead of competing for a national title they’re competing for an NIT Championship. Its just not the type of postseason result we’ve come to expect.
Maybe that sounds arrogant, but I’m a proud Syracuse Basketball fan, so deal. (haha) I think despite all that Paul, the grad-transfers and team will bounce back from this disappointing news and be ready to prove this field and the committee they belonged in the NCAA Tournament.
I swear, if either USC of Wake loses in their First Four games, (update: Wake already has) then it’ll make me extremely furious. Especially if we win win the NIT Championship this year. I know in my heart we could have won the First Four game and moved on.
Like you said, our motivation should be to prove people wrong this postseason and play like we have nothing to lose, even if the end result isn’t a national title. For our seniors, this is their last chance to shine. What better way to win in front of your home fans at the Carrier Dome, and Madison Square Garden: The Mecca of Basketball.
Ty Butler- Contributor
I’ve never quite covered a team as unpredictable as the 2016-17 Syracuse men’s basketball team. This group could legit go out there sometimes and look like they’d beat the Knicks. However, other times, they’ve gone out there and laid eggs against Boston College and St. John’s, losing in blowout fashion.
The trepidation for Orange fans lies in these inconsistencies combined with the unknown of how a program that just went to the Final Four will respond to essentially having to settle for school lunch at a 5-star restaurant. It’s a culture shock for a guy like Tyler Lydon in his sophomore season, who was a critical part of a team that was two wins away from a national championship. And you wonder what’s going through the minds of fifth-year grad transfers Andrew White and John Gillon, who didn’t come here to compete in the NIT.
But in the end, Syracuse Basketball fields the better team and will be playing on its home court where it went 16-3 (8-1 in the ACC) including three wins over Virginia, Florida State and Duke, who oh, by the way, opened as favorites in the NCAA tournament.
The Orange have nothing to play for but pride. Winning an NIT championship will do nothing for a program that prides itself on competing for NCAA titles. But it’s a chance to end the season by proving to be a team that legitimately should’ve been a part of the field of 68. Just on talent alone and where the game is being played, Syracuse should win fairly easily. Look for Tyus Battle to emerge through the flakes of the snowstorm.
Zachary Weisleder- Contributor
Follow: @ZachWeisleder
This Syracuse Basketball team has played their hearts out this season. Although they weren’t selected to participate in the Big Dance, this team was obviously the first team out.
Next: Boeheim Squashes Beef With Greensboro
With the No. 1 overall seed in the NIT, this team has something to prove. With four seniors who gave their all night in and night out, expect them to put in their best effort on Tuesday night. Playing at the Carrier Dome, this team has a huge advantage tonight. I see the Orange making a statement tonight, and defending their coach, Jim Boeheim.
Paul A. Esden Jr.- Site Expert
Follow: @BoyGreen25
Well that’s all for this Inside the Loud House Roundtable, until next week Orange fans.