By Paul Gotham
Success in the Maui Invitational usually coincides with March success. The degree to which varies. Kemba Walker and UConn reigned in Hawaii in 2010. The Huskies went on to the national title later that year. Tyler Hansbrough and UNC took the 2008 Maui title and topped Michigan State for the Heels fifth national championship.
Jim Boeheim’s Syracuse Orange hope they can follow suit.
C.J. Fair showed himself worthy of the ACC pre-season Player of the Year honors. Fair played all but four minutes of the Cuse’s three games in the South Pacific. The 6-8 senior has made 48 field goals in seven games this season. All but six of those makes have come from within the three-point arc. No question Fair can get to the rim and finish, but what makes him a challenging matchup is his midrange game. Fair’s ability to finish pullup jumpers and runners will be key to SU’s success for the rest of the season. Credit Fair also for taking a forearm to the face on a drive to the basket against Minnesota in Monday’s opening and not allowing a gash under his eye to affect his play. The senior showed leadership in channeling energy into his play.
Tyler Ennis had a Michael Carter-Williams type night with nine assists and ZERO turnovers in SU’s 74-67 victory over Baylor in the championship round. Better yet, Ennis had a program night. The freshman guard from Brampton, ONT. made the easy pass, finding guys in transition and helping the ‘Cuse cash easy buckets. Overall, Syracuse dished out 17 assists and committed just seven turnovers in the win over Baylor. SU attempted 12 shots behind the arc and took 11 free throws.
Baylor’s Bears will need to add some finesse to their game. The Bears outrebounded Cuse 33-21. Their starting frontcourt of Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin accounted for 26 points. But the Bears committed 20 turnovers. Royce O’Neale came off the bench and hit 3-of-3 behind the arc, but the junior forward turned the ball over five times. The 2-3 zone will do that to you. Baylor’s 9-of-19 from long range was fool’s gold. They expended too much in getting that. Finding a balance between athleticism and ballhandling will be Baylor’s challenge.
On other hand, Gonzaga’s toughness will be the question. No doubt the Zags can run offense. Kevin Pangos is definitely a premier scorer. He averaged better than 26 points per game in Hawaii including 34 in a 91-81 win over Arkansas. Sam Dower and Gary Bell, Jr. provide suitable compliments. But this looks like all the Gonzaga teams of recent years which create hope and flame out in March. Their offense is pleasing to eye but winning games in March takes more than that.
Nine Dayton Flyers played 15 or more minutes in UD’s 82-64 win over California, Wednesday. Maybe this was an answer to playing three games in three days, but the Flyers thrived going to the bench. One night after hitting 11-of-20 behind the arc in a 67-66 loss to Baylor, the Flyers connected just five times from long range. Jalen Robinson came off the bench and tallied 17 points in the post. Three times the sophomore forward used the rim as a screen, went under the defense and finished with reverse Mikan action. Too often last year, Dayton relied on Kevin Dillard getting in the lane and dishing off for buckets. Robinson showing a back-to-the-basket game could be the missing piece for the Flyers. Question is can Robinson develop a counter when opposing defenses adjust to that move. Look for Robinson develop his passing out of the post with diagonal looks opposite. At 6-1 with wins over Gonzaga and at Georgia Tech, the Flyers have put themselves in the mix for the NCAA Tournament.
Richard Pitino happened into a good situation. It’s pretty unique when you consider Richard Pitino, son and coaching disciple of Rick Pitino, takes over after the firing of Rick Pitino disciple Tubby Smith. Safe to say Richard Pitino and Tubby Smith have some similarities in their coaching styles and players to recruit to fit that style. Whatever the reason Tubby Smith could not push the right buttons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Richard Pitino has figured out the answer. The Gophers held their own in a 75-67 loss to Syracuse. Minnesota rallied from 14 down in the second half to pull within a bucket at the 2:00 mark.
Not sure what to think of Cal. They were missing Richard Solomon who is out with an eye injury. But the Bears preoccupation with the officiating was a head-scratcher. We get it. The ticky-tack fouls are frustrating. But allowing that to distract you from playing seems a waste.
Year two of the Mike Anderson regime with the Arkansas Razorbacks. The young Razorbacks looked content to let Gonzaga run offense. Can’t imagine Anderson will allow that to continue.
Paul Gotham is the founder, owner, editor and lead writer at Pickin’ Splinters. Paul is the Communications and Media Director of the New York Collegiate Baseball League. He is a USA Today Contributor and member of the USBWA. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PickinSplinters.
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