I wandered over to the Syracuse message board as well to get some sense of what they think of the matchup and ended up really enjoying their board and the engagement. I actually provided some of my thoughts on our team to give them some insider perspective on the Aztecs and encouraged them to come over here and do the same.
One of their fans I guess tried to create an account on AztecMesa but was having some trouble doing so (Mods - they said they were awaiting approval to post?), so they DM'd me their insider take on Syracuse and gave our man azteccc a nice shoutout on his scout of Syracuse.
The Syracuse fan's post was:
"
Syracuse fan here for about 40 years.
I would like to commend “azteccc” for his/her elaborate review of our team as he/she sees it. Well
done. I’ll try to give you my overview as I have seen all but about two or three of their games this
year. Very up and down season as it has been for about seven years now. However, we have
closed the season very strong with three consecutive wins over good teams and then a loss on a
buzzer beater to defending National Champion Virginia. Thus our usual “bubble” position
sweating it out the last few days.
JOE GIRARD (PG) – His numbers are down considerable from his freshman year. This dude can
outright shoot from any distance. Not the best ball handling skills and can be pressured into
mistakes. Defense in the zone is also not the best due to lack of mobility and short stature.
BUDDY BOEHEIM (SG) – One of the hottest shooters in the Country the last few weeks. Had a
career high of 31 in his last game versus Virginia. You need to stay in his face at all times and
never, NEVER leave him to go double someone else or help if another player is driving the lane.
His defense has never been that great, but it has improved over the last month. His size does help
at the top of the zone.
ALEN GRIFFIN (SF) – He is without a doubt one of those “hot and cold” shooters. When he is
hot he can drop 20 on you in a heartbeat. When he is cold then you don’t even realize he is on the
floor. Unfortunately this hot and cold aspect also relates to his defense. Can be a good shot
blocker if he puts his mind to it.
QUINCY GUERRIER (PF) – Some would disagree with me, but I consider him to be our best all
around player. Only real starter who actually has some beef to him. Very strong around the basket,
especially rebounding. Unfortunately misses short puppies too often. Doesn’t shoot a lot of threes,
but has the ability to step out and get the odd one. Defense is good although prone to foul trouble.
Has been playing with a banged up knee for a while now and does not have the hops he displayed
last year or earlier this season. As a result you will likely see he does not even leave his feet on the
opening tip. Almost averaged a double-double.
MAREK DOLEZAJ (C) – Our slotted center got hurt in the opening half of our first game and
never really was able to return. He was really, really missed. Thus Marek has filled in all year. He
is definitely not a true center even though he is tall, but he is a toothpick. I would say he has our
highest basketball IQ and is an EXCELLENT passer. He can definitely score, but more often than
not he is not aggressive enough. Playing with a fractured finger at the present time. Also prone to
foul trouble.
KADARY RICHMOND (reserve PG) – For a freshman he has become out best ball handler and
setup man. Defenders could lose some laundry guarding him. However, he also has a banged up
knee and the last few games has not been able to demonstrate his true skills. Not a shooter like
JOE GIRARD, but a terrific defender. For a player that didn’t get a lot of minutes, he was very
near the top in most steals in the ACC. This freshman will be a superstar if he sticks around a
while. A lot of fans felt he should have been a starter all year.
ROBERT BRASWELL (reserve F) – Doesn’t play a lot, but hustles when he is in there. Decent
rebounder and he can drain the three pointer if needed.
JESSE EDWARDS (reserve C) – A little more beef than MAREK DOLEZAJ, but still not the bulk
we are used to at Syracuse. Plays hard and can score in close if given the opportunity. Defense is
solid.
Rarely does coach Boeheim go more than eight deep. Substitutions are usually based on foul
problems and poor play by one of the starters.
COACH – Don’t really need to say much although he has been criticized in recent years for below
standard recruiting and not utilizing or developing new players. However, March has always been
where he really shines so don’t let these comments or his age fool you.
OFFENSE – We have never been a team that has relied heavily on three point shooting. This year
is different solely based on the skills the players have. Wish we had a better inside game, but it is
what it is. Scoring has not been a problem of late.
DEFENSE – Gee, don’t be surprised if we play a 2-3 zone (being facetious obviously). The ‘Cuse
zone has never been “static” and tweaks are made regularly during the game based on how the
other team is attacking. We don’t have the athletes or length of many previous years, but we
usually get a lot of deflections. Unfortunately shooters do get open if the movement is not as it
should be. You will need to have a guy at the top of the key that can not only make a 15 foot jump
shot, but also a good passer to the wings or to a forward cutting under the basket. Rebounding is
never the best from a zone and especially with our lack of size. Be thankful you have several days
to prepare for the zone as it would tough if you only had a couple.
We have been playing well of late, but nothing like the winning streak the Aztecs are experiencing.
Most analysts give you guys very high marks and they feel you should do well against us. I need to
rely on their comments (and yours here) as I have not seen you play this season. Most of us Orange
fans are just happy to be able to keep playing, so whatever happens now is just gravy.
Appears I have really rambled on here, sorry about that, but an old dude like me in lockdown right
now doesn’t have a lot else to do.
Should be a great game. Good luck.
"