It was a very appropriate end to a disappointing season for Syracuse.
SU stormed out to a huge early lead against UMass, leading 54-32 with 14 minutes to go.
UMass scored 49 points in the next 14 minutes as another team torched the supposedly impenetrable Syracuse 2-3 zone.
Other than his flawed strategy of playing one defense against every opponent, in every situation, I don't blame Boeheim for this loss.
He didn't shut it down in the no points offense.
His players just did what they have done all season.
They try too hard to win the game with individual plays, they turn the ball over in key spots and the do not cover 3-point shooters.
UMass hit 9 of 13 3-pointers down the stretch.
But reflecting on this loss, and this season, I think the biggest reason this year didn't turn out the way we hoped, is because in close games, when they needed a basket, no one on the team emerged as the guy to give it to them.
Every single SU fan in American was waiting for the collapse. It wasn't a matter of if, but when.
ReplyDeleteBoeheim and the players said they both missed too many layups which definitely lost us the game. Green, Harris and Flynn all admitted they didn't listen to Boeheim and blew it in the 2nd half by leaving UMass wide open. I don't put this lost on Boeheim, but he's the coach and has to be able to reach his players. It's one thing if it happens once or twice, but every year with these teams its the same things.
They were definitely tired though and the short bench killed us.
You know that Stacy Zorfas' brother in law is assistant coach at Umass? Don't know if you ever menttioned it.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Adam Ginsburg married Stacy's sister.
ReplyDelete