The Orange Coats are Coming! The Orange Coats are Coming!

 

by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

 

I loved war history in high school.

The most intriguing would have to be the Revolutionary War. The idea of an underdog defeating its predecessor and claiming its independence had so many sports equivalents to me.

One particular image that sticks in my mind is the “Red Coats.” Those bright, audacious uniforms the British wore as they carelessly marched through fetal America beating drums.

And then – BANG!

Disguised by the land that would soon birth their country, the Americans easily take down the big bad British. How ridiculous. Why didn’t you just adapt, Brits?

This is how I am becoming to envision Jim Boeheim’s Orange.

A few weeks ago, Big East rival Georgetown came for a clash at the Carrier Dome. I was hoping for a better showing than the season’s previous matchup where Georgetown won in convincing fashion.

The Orange kept it close, leading by one at halftime and broke the game open late in the second half.

Syracuse went up 66-50 with 8:11 remaining after a Devendorf three-pointer.

Then I heard it: “The Orange coats are coming! The Orange coats are coming!” As is always the case, if you’re down big against Syracuse with some reasonable time remaining, you can always shoot over their zone.

Down sixteen with the ‘Cuse sitting in their signature 2-3 zone, Georgetown knew they could shoot themselves back in it. And shoot Mr. Wright and Mr. Summers did.

In the final 2:12 of regulation, the Hoyas made four shots from beyond the arc. Christ Wright buried the first two. Then DaJuan Summers went for the dagger and made two of his own, the biggest with only twelve seconds remaining that tied the game at 83.

The Hoyas looked around, saw the bright orange, and knew they still had a shooter’s chance.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

None of the Hoyas three-point attempts were very well contested by the guards playing the top of the zone, Devendorf and Flynn. Every three point attempt came above the free throw line so the bigger guards of Georgetown would not have to worry about the lengthy players who often play the bottom wings for Boeheim.

(Remember Hakim Warrick closing out from that position? Looked more like a frontline volleyball player on more than several occasions as he’d spike a shot into the stands).

 

Not wanting his heroics to be finished, DaJuan Summers stole the ball on Syracuse’s last possession in regulation and got a shot off that hit the back of the rim as time expired.

Sixteen point lead diminished, but bullet dodged.

Syracuse would go on to win the game by four in overtime. The extra time should have been unnecessary if the Orange would have just gone man-to-man towards the end and made a not-so-fluid Georgetown team beat them through offensive sets.

As the Big East tournament approaches, I beg the Orange to go man just a little more. Every good team has its preferences, and I can’t imagine a Jim Boeheim led Syracuse team not running a 2-3 zone. But every team must be able to man up against their opponent down the stretch of close games.

With the high quality recent play of big man Rick Jackson off the bench, this is as a good a defensive team as anyone else. Plus, poor Onuaku looks lost at times playing the middle of the 2-3.

Flynn as is quick as they come and can apply adequate ball pressure. Devendorf has a knack for playing off the ball and getting in passing lanes, as proven in the zone. And Paul Harris has enough size (6’4″ 230) to defend some of these bigger guards and forwards.

I’ve seen the Orange go man more than ever, but Boeheim has to be comfortable with it late in close games. I’m no expert and I know you shouldn’t stray too far from what you’re accustomed to, but wearing bright red (in this case, orange) coats and beating a drum while fighting a ground war is just asinine.

As Jonny Flynn said after the Georgetown game, “I was so zoned out.” When it comes to Syracuse basketball in the final minutes of a close game – so am I, Jonny. So am I.