SB Nation - Rick Jackson

ESPN Hearts Syracuse

Sean Keeley — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:37:47 -0000

If you've been looking for the kiss of death now that Syracuse basketball is getting more hype than Balloon Boy, look no further than the fact that ESPN has officially taken hold of the reigns on the SU Bandwagon.

First up, Joe Lunardi has updated his Bracketology and look who went from 10-seed from 1-seed. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the fact that he has us playing the winner of the opening-round game means we're his top overall team. Oh boy. Though the fact that we're in the West Region instead of the East leads to believe that's not true. What the hell do I know... (Ed. Note - East Regional in Syracuse, so we can't play there. Got it!)

And then of course, there's the piece de resistance in knowing that any college basketball topic is mainstream...Dick Vitale's interns are writing about it.

Syracuse has demonstrated that it will be legit power in the Big East this season.

Let's go learn something from Dick.

Think about it, the Orange were picked sixth in the Big East preseason poll after losing Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf. Jim Boeheim has a team that has physicality in Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson, and versatility in All-Marco Polo Wesley Johnson.

Think about it? Think about what? This sentence is not an answer to a question you posed in the first one. It's a statement of facts following a separate statement of fact. There is nothing to think about nor did you imply that I needed to think about anything. ARGGGGG.

The former Iowa State star has been a prime-time performer (PTP'er) and combined with outstanding guard play from three-point shooting wiz Andy Rautins and solid point guard ability from Brandon Triche and Scoop Jardine, they have proven they can compete with the best.

I love that in this paragraph he goes to the trouble of denoting what PTP'er stands for just after calling someone All-Marco Polo in the previous sentane and providing no frame of reference for that at all. Not that I don't know what he means because it's been burrowed into my skull ad nauseum, but either this is written for Vitale Junkies (ugh) or its not.

Am I being harsh on Dick? Absolutely. But tell me what you learned there? Anything? Was that worth spending the time to read? No, right? That's pretty much the same feeling you have when you listen to Vitale call a game too, isn't it?

Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate...

Terrier-orized: No. 7 Syracuse 75, St. Francis 51

Sean Keeley — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:56:47 -0000

via media.syracuse.com

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For a clear, concise explanation of what happened today when the Syracuse Orange took on the St. Francis Terriers, let's turn to SU guard Scoop Jardine:

cuse win over the st. fraincs i think that there name...anyway they had slow start didnt play well but rebound themselves won by +20 and cont..to move on......scoop jardine played 19 min score only three points with 9 asst. and 2 steals.....9 asst. n 19 min hmmmm think about it...need i say jason kid...hmmm think about it....go scoop

You need not say Jason Kid. It's understood. Or is it Jason, kid.

For a less direct explanation of Syracuse's 75-51 win over the Terriers... (boxscore)

Arinze Onuaku scored 14 points and Wes Johnson added 12 with nine rebounds and four blocks, as seventh-ranked Syracuse defeated St. Francis-NY, 75-51, at the Carrier Dome.

Rick Jackson totaled 11 points, six boards and three assists for the Orange, who are off to their first 10-0 start since 1999-2000, when the program won its first 19 games. Mookie Jones contributed 10 points for the victors.

"We played well together," said Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim. "We had 24 assists again tonight -- everyone has been very unselfish, looking for each other. We work hard and we are getting better, we just have to keep improving."

According to Jim Boeheim, Syracuse is "getting better." Fear things, rest of the nation.

Mookie Jones got 21 minute of action and scored ten points, perhaps that will date him for a little while as he continues to wrestle with the playing time blues.

"I wish I knew my role,’’ Jones said. "I’m always ready. I really don’t know my role. I hope we find it by the time the Big East gets here. I just want to contribute. It’s kind of hard. You sit down one game and then you come in the next game.’’

"It’s depressing down there just sitting,’’ Jones said. "It’s a long game. You learn a lot from sitting down. You cheer the team on and all that. But when you know you’re a good player and you work hard every day, you give 100 percent everyday, it’s hard to sit down.’’

With the schedule about to get much tougher and Boeheim's rotation about to get even smaller in the coming weeks, expect Mookie's displeasure to rise. Ah, youth...so unable to see the forest for the trees.

Syracuse vs. Florida A Lesson In Bodily Function

Sean Keeley — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:22:06 -0000

For Florida players, you have to imagine that the challenge of going up against Syracuse's talent was a daunting one. Especially once you stepped on the court and saw just how imposing and powerful Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku truly are. It's the kind of thing that would figuratively make one poop their pants. Or perhaps, literally...

That's a curious stain in an even more curious place on the backside of Florida's Dan Werner. It could be shadow, I suppose. Then again...

Yeah...I'm pretty sure he pooped his pants.

Alas, Florida wasn't the only team on hand last night attempting to evacuate the body in moments of desperation. Not even living legends are immune to the urges of man. Like, say, having a good pick.

The folks on the Kentucky board swear Jimmy takes a taste but after reviewing the footage I can conclusively say that Jimmy does not, I repeat, DOES NOT sample his own goods. But he does save that hand and whatever might be on it for usage later on...

It's no Stinkpalm, but it's close.

H/T: actioncuse

Dick Weiss Was Right: Syracuse 85, Florida 73

Sean Keeley — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:56:52 -0000

More photos » by Chris O'Meara - AP

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Dick "Hoops" Weiss was voted Syracuse the No. 1 team in the country for three week's running. Me thinks he might be on to something. The Orange withstood a three-point rally from the Gators and put forth an effort that reaffirmed everything we were hoping as No. 7 Syracuse beat No. 10 Florida 85-73. (boxscore)

Rick Jackson recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Wesley Johnson added 17 and 10, as No. 7 Syracuse handled the 10th-ranked Florida Gators, 85-73, at St. Pete Times Forum.

Neither team was ranked entering the season but both were unbeaten coming into the game. Only Syracuse (9-0) left with a perfect mark, though, thanks to a 52.5 percent shooting effort and a 43-31 rebounding advantage.

Andy Rautins scored 16 points, while Kris Joseph chipped in 12 points and 10 boards for the Orange, who have won every game this season by double digits.

First of all, it's been a while since we've been able to root for a truly dominant team in football or basketball. It feels...strange. In a good way, mind you. But, now that we know for sure that the Orange truly can win every single game they play, it's a very different feeling.

Second, Florida has terrible fans. Here's what's going to happen...people who watched the game last night are going to say Syracuse didn't really have to play in front of a hostile crowd because there were so many SU fans there. You know why so many SU fans stood out last night? Cause there's was no one else there! Upper deck? Empty. Mezzanine? Spotty. If not for Syracuse fans traveling 3,000 miles that place would have been a graveyard. Florida fans apparantly couldn't make the two hour drive to watch their top-ten team play another top-ten team. It's not SU's fault it has good fans, so I don't want to hear it...got it, Katz?

Third, and here's the part that should scare the rest of the country...Wes Johnson had a so-so game The anointed savior and cult leader who has been destined since birth to lead us to glory had an everyman kind of evening. And we still beat the No. 10 team in the nation by double-digits. Yeah he scored 17 and grabbed 10 boards but he really didn't get rolling until the 2nd half. Florida had many an opportunity to run away from Cuse and couldn't do it. Yikes to everyone.

Fourth...Rick Jackson, ladies and gentlemen. 21 points and 11 rebounds. Welcome to the bigtime, Rickles. And for SU fans, we can add Rick to the list of players more than happy to step up and be a leader for us when needed.

Fifth, speaking of leaders...Andy Rautins! The cajones on Andy when he hit the three in the 2nd half to kill Florida's rally. He immediately turned to his teammates, started up a "let's do this" mantra and did what we've come to expect of him.

Seventh, want to know what the "official" rotation is going to look like? Now you do. Boeheim played seven guys (Jackson, Onuaku, Johnson, Rautins, Triche, Scoop & Joseph). That's it. Mookie, deal with it or do not.

Eighth, Chandler Parsons looks like an anime character.

Ninth, "I think, just on what I’ve seen of Syracuse, they are capable of winning the national championship. I think Bobby Knight made a comment (Wednesday) night that he thought they were the best team in the country. I haven’t seen everybody play so I can’t comment on that. But I would be hard-pressed to say there were three or four teams better than them. They can beat you in a lot of ways." - Billy Donovan

The Orange improve to 9-0, should grab a couple more first-place votes and could move up a spot or two in the next rankings. It's official, everyone. The realz, we haz them. Until someone shows me otherwise, we're the best team in the nation as far as I'm concerned. Hells yeah I'm biased...but I'm pretty sure Dick Weiss and I are right.

Links and vids after the jump.

FUN IN THE SUN: Syracuse improves to 9-0 after beating No. 10 Florida...Tyler Dunne
Jackson defies gameplan, scores career-high 21 points...Tyler Dunne
Orange hurts Florida on the backboards...Donna Ditota
Syracuse makes big plays to defeat Florida and stay unbeaten...Donna Ditota
Donovan has experience with Triche family...Bud Poliquin
SU-Florida Recap...Brent Axe
Syracuse basketball dumps Florida, stays unbeaten...Donna Ditota
Gator-Skinned: Syracuse-Florida Observations...Three Idiots on Sports
Florida Gets RickRolled, Orange Comes Through In Tight Spots...CuseOrange
Roll: This Game Should Scare Out Future Opponents...Cuse Country
A Win over Florida...OrangeHoops
Donovan: Orange Title Contenders...Orange Fizz
Syracuse big men bully Florida Gators...Adam Beasley, Miami Herald

Game Highlights

Some live action (and Cuse fan head nods) from the game

College Hoops Go-Round: December 11

Chris Dobbertean — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:14:52 -0000

More photos » by Chris O'Meara - AP

Syracuse's Rick Jackson (00) celebrates with teammate Wes Johnson (4) were the stars of the Orange's 85-73 win over Florida Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, in Tampa. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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Night two of the SEC/Big East Invitational was the main action on a quiet Thursday night. The two leagues split the doubleheader in Tampa, which means there are no bragging rights this year, thanks to a 2-2 overall series mark.

DePaul was no match for Mississippi State in game one, falling 76-45. As I mentioned at SB Nation, it was one of the quietest crowds I've ever seen for a neutral site game.
The crowd was no issue in game two, as plenty of Orange and Gator fans filled the lower tier of the building formerly known as the Ice Palace. They got to see No. 10 Florida give No. 7 Syracuse a fight before falling, 85-73. Rick Jackson and Wes Johnson both had double-doubles for the Orange, while Kenny Boynton had 20 points and 7 assists for the Gators, with Chandler Parsons adding 19.

In other Thursday night action

No. 12 Michigan State blasted Oakland, 88-57, thanks to 19 points and 12 boards from Draymond Green.
No. 19 Cincinnati held off local rivals Miami, 63-59.
Rhode Island knocked off Northeastern, 79-76.
Western Carolina won again, as they knocked off Campbell, 66-59.
Colorado was pounded by Colorado State in Fort Collins, 77-62.
Montana came back to win on the road at Loyola Marymount, 82-73.

Friday is a good night to do your holiday shopping (like I will) as there isn't much available to a national audience.

The only game available nationally via Full Court is Iowa at Iowa State (8 p.m. ET). The Hawkeyes and Cyclones are playing for second (at best) in the Hawkeye State, as both have already lost to UNI.

The big event of the night is the Sun Belt Invitational in Nashville, where two Sun Belt teams face SEC opponents. Unfortunately, this showcase is only on regional television in parts of the Southeast.

No. 9 Tennessee vs. Middle Tennessee (CSS, 7)
Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky (CSS, 9:30)

For a full list of televised games, including contests that are only going to be televised regionally (including Old Dominion at Dayton), visit Matt Sarz' College Sports on TV site.

Handy Syracuse Basketball Stat Update

Sean Keeley — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:05:13 -0000

More photos » by Kevin Rivoli - AP

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A quick look at various stats and notes showcasing where the Orange stand individually.

Andy Rautins is currently averaging four steals per game, tied for second in the nation and tops in the Big East.
Arinze Onuaku is tied for fifth in the nation with a .709 FG%. He leads the Big East in that category.
Scoop Jardine is second in the Big East with 5.9 assists/game, Andy Rautins is tied for fourth with 5.0.
Rick Jackson is fifth in the Big East with 2.4 blocked shots per game.
Wes Johnson is seventh in the Big East in scoring (18.4 PPG), third in FG% (.598), third in steals (2.3), ninth in blocks (1.9), tied for eighth in total rebounds (52) and second in three-point field goal % (.552).
Mookie Jones leads the nation in forlorn, post-game social media diatribes (1.3 FPGSMDPG).
Wes Johnson leads the nation in Making Fans Say "Holy F***balls!" Per Dunk % (.725)
James Southerland is tied for seventh in the nation in times he last name has been misspelled by bloggers (a.k.a. Sutherland) (245).
Brandon Triche is tied for third in the Big East in Number Of Mean Mugging Self Portraits On Facebook Profile (11)
Brandon Reese is sixth in the Big East in Excited Bench High-Five % (.842)
Andy Rautins is second in the nation in Instances Of Writhing On The Floor Grimacing While Holding On To Ankle That Is Held Together By Polly-O String Cheese & Wishes (0.89/Game)
Rob Murphy leads all Big East coaches in Shutting It Down Percentage (.929)
Wes Johnson leads the nation in being better than everyone else at everything (1.000 %)

Syracuse 9500, Cal 73: Bears Faceplant on the Road

Avinash — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:40:41 -0000

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

The refs weren't the only thing that caused Mike Montgomery frustration in Cal's 95-73 loss.

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We can talk about officiating all we want, but this one came down to defense.The Bears did not rotate to their men, did not help well, did not play great off the ball, while Syracuse did, in almost every measure. Cal's offense looked sloptastic, mostly because of the zone, partly because everyone seemed to throw their passes off-target and get into set shots, and more because the Orangemen athletes were just better.

On almost every level, the Orangemen were the better team. Hopefully this trend for every Cal loss this season ends soon.

It's hard to say how much of an effect Theo would've had in this game. It would've been far more competitive than it actually was.
Jerome Randle and the rest of his starting lineup is starting to remind me a little too much of Jahvid Best and the offensive line. Hopefully Randle doesn't start racking up the minutes as the season goes on.
Jamal Boykin again doing all the little underrated things. But other than Boykin and Randle, rest of team shot 30 percent. Yuck.
Every Orangeman shot over 50 percent. Double yuck.
Wesley Johnson looks like a pro.
We could've used Kamp on Onuaku. Just saying.
Patrick Christopher must've catched a late flight, because he wasn't really showing anything until the final minutes. It's becoming hard to discern if he really has any talents other than slashing and an occasional 3 point shot.
Salvage a split tomorrow and it's still a good trip. Not many of us thought we'd go 2-0, so hopefully a good rebound tomorrow will put us back where we need to be.

This is your postgame thread. Feel free to watch the Ohio State-North Carolina game to see who we end up facing, or the Thursday Night game (Colorado 14 Oklahoma St. 10 right now), or whatever else catches your fancy this Thursday night.

nickle had a good postgame comment that I wanted to share here.

In the end, the result of this game doesn’t really matter (well not too much, it still sucks). Lavin and co. might be surprised at the result of this game but I don’t think any of us are. Biggest surprise is Theo being out at the last second, and along w/ Kamp’s injury, we didn’t have a chance from the start. If we get those two back it’s a completely different team.

Cal didn’t schedule these games primarily to build an impressive resume, although that woulda been a huge plus had we won today. But we got a real good look at the Syracuse zone and this experience will help tremendously when it counts most in the tournament (assuming we don’t pull an epic fail this season). Throw that in with the matchup tomorrow against either a very very experienced team or a very very athletic team and we’re getting a huge dose of what to expect from what will be our toughest competition from here on out.

Not a great outing by the bears, but I think it was fine. PC really needs to find a way to get his own shots though.

I think we’ll be fine. I hope…

800 And Counting: Syracuse Tames Great Danes 75-43

Sean Keeley — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:10:28 -0000

More photos » by Kevin Rivoli - AP

about 1 month ago: Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim talks with Brandon Triche during the first hal against Albany in the Coaches versus Cancer tournament in an NCAA college basketball in Syracuse, N.Y., Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. Boeheim is trying for his 800th win. (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli)

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Albany is no LeMoyne.

Then again, the Syracuse team that stepped on to the court tonight wasn't the same as the team that lost to LeMoyne last week. This Orange squad took control early and never looked back, dominating in nearly every category possible to win the game 75-43 and secure Jim Boeheim's 800th all-time victory.

None of the Orange went nuts on the statsheet but the points were spread around. Onuaku led the Orange with 14 points while Wes Johnson added 12 points and 8 rebounds. Rick Jackson, Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph all scored in double-figures as well.

In his first game, freshman Brandon Triche scored 8 points, added assists and grabbed 6 rebounds. Not too shabby for a true freshman not named Flynn.

Andy Rautins went scoreless and 0-4 from three-point range and left the game early in the 2nd half with an apparent ankle injury. No word yet on the severity though it didn't seem too severe.

For the Orange, some validation that the LeMoyne game was just an anomaly. For Jimmy B, just one more piece of validation that he is among the very best to ever coach the game.

Finally, The Important Information About Syracuse Basketball

Sean Keeley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:41:28 -0000

via media.syracuse.com

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The members of the 2009-2010 basketball team were faced with some extremely difficult questions as part of the season preview. Here are their honest and open-hearted answers (with snarky commentary).

Who twitters the most?

Answers were all over the place for this one. Scoop, KrisJo, Wes and even Coach Murphy were thrown up for considering. As someone who follows each of them, I can say that the correct answer is...Kris Joseph. Whereas Scoop, Wes and the others tweet in short bursts, KrisJo is a constant on my feed. That sounds weird.

Who’s the best/worst at NBA video games?

Rautins: I don’t even play video games. I hear Mookie talking about it a lot. I wanna say Reesie will be pretty bad at it.
Reese: I don’t play, so I don’t know.

Well, at least they're in agreement.

What’s the gadget you’d love to buy but can’t afford?

Rautins: I want one of those oxygen chambers. You suck on them and you’re in phenomenal shape.

Andy, I don't think that's an oxygen chamber you're thinking of. And I don't think I want to know...

What reality show would you win?

Jones: I Love Money on Vh1
Triche: I love money on Vh1

Your parents would be so proud.

Who’s the most underrated NBA player?

Reese: Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves

The only guy to answer correctly.

What’s your dream place to live?

Jardine: Santa Monica, Calif.
Jones: L.A.
Southerland: I don’t know if it gets any better than New York City, but I’ll say California.

Guys...I have a couch. Whoever wants it...

What’s your favorite class?

Riley: I’m not taking math now, but it’s my favorite subject.

Natch.

What fictional character do you most resemble?

Jackson: I don’t know. (Good idea)
Jardine: Mickey Mouse (What?)
Johnson: Wolverine (What?)
Jones: Batman (What?)
Joseph: Wolverine. (What?)
Onuaku: Optimus Prime (WHAT?)
Rautins: Derek Zoolander (We've seen the pink shirt, Andy. We know.)
Reese: The Flash (What?)
Riley: Goofy (What?)
Southerland: My dad would say Patrick Star from Spongebob because I’m a goof-ball. (What?)
Triche: Hawk (Who? Just Hawk? Hudson Hawk? Which Hawk?)

Syracuse 2009-2010 Basketball Preview Overload

Sean Keeley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:48:08 -0000

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!

The D.O. and Post-Standard both have their basketball previews out and it's...a lot. I'm just gonna link out everything below and then we can meet somewhere afterwards to discuss. Get comfortable...

Arinze Onuaku hopes for healthy knees, strong season...Mike Waters

Meet forward Wesley Johnson, a newcomer with experience and skill...Mike Waters

Tough defender Rick Jackson promises an even stronger version...Mike Waters

Is Wes Johnson the best transfer in college basketball?...Donna Ditota

For Better or Worse: Stars Are Awfully Hard to Replace...Mike Waters

For Better or Worse: Sharing the Ball is Always Better...Donna Ditota

As Mike Hopkins believes he sits at the feet of a master, he's happy to wait his turn at the top...Bud Poliquin

One size fits all for forwards: The Orange's wings, like their predecessors, are long and lean...Mike Waters

Syracuse's setup men: Triche, Jardine, Rautins will get ball to the big men...Donna Ditota

You Asked, And Boeheim Answered...Jim Boeheim

Q: I would like to see SYRACUSE rather than ORANGE on the front of the home uniforms. Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, Duke and others don’t put their nicknames on their jerseys. Who decides on the uniforms for Syracuse basketball?
— James Bean, Lexington, Ky.

JB: To tell you the truth, before this question I didn’t even know what was on the front of the jerseys.

Awesome.

Moving Forward: After losing top 3 scorers from last season, Syracuse hopes it's retooling, not rebuilding...Matt Ehalt

'It's been a long road': Wes Johnson has been just about everywhere, but he has finally found a place to call home...Conor Orr

Taking the lead: Rautins, Onuaku return for a 5th year and become the leaders of a program searching for an indentity...Andrew L. John

Diamond: Triche has bright side, but Jardine deserves chance to show his worth...Jared Diamond

Face of a program: Michael enters senior year with a chance to become SU's all-time greatest player...Brett LoGiurato

Believing the hype: Quentin Hillsman calls Juanita Ward the best he's ever coached. This is her last chance to prove it....Dider Morias