SB Nation - Paul Harris

Daily Links - S.I. Chimes In

Sean Keeley — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:06:08 -0000

Despite losing its top three players, Syracuse is better - 12.21.09 - SI Vault
Clearly, losing the top three scorers (guards Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf and forward Paul Harris, who all left early for the pros) from last year's 28--10 squad has not been the calamity many predicted. Indeed, their replacements have made Syracuse a bigger and better team. "We were a good offensive team last year," says coach Jim Boeheim, "but we couldn't stop the good teams."

Should Syracuse Join the Big Ten? -- The Sports Section
Syracuse is too good for the Big East. Come over to the Big Ten. We even have our own network, not that any of you can watch it.

Syracuse University Athletics - Honors for First-Year Orange Gridders
Syracuse football student-athletes Alec Lemon, Chandler Jones, E.J. Carter and Nick Speller were honored by The Sporting News on the magazine’s BIG EAST All-Freshmen Team, while Lemon, Carter, Shamarko Thomas and Phillip Thomas were selected to the ESPN.com All-BIG EAST Freshman Team.

Rivals.com College Football - Rivals.com 2009 All-Big East freshman team
Five Syracuse freshman on the Rivals All-Freshman Team, including SHAMARKO!

For the Syracuse Orange, Moving to the Big Ten Would Be a Big Mistake | Bleacher Report
What concerns me more than seeing Syracuse left behind though is the thought that they might be the one to leave the conference that they helped create.

Tyler Hansbrough, Jonny Flynn shaped decade in college hoops - 2000s: The Decade in Sports - SI.com
Jonny Flynn and Six Overtimes recognized as bests of the decade.

Orange Fizz: Syracuse Orange Sports Blog, Recruiting and Podcasts.
Jon Wilner explains why a guy in San Jose has Syracuse No. 1 in the AP Poll.

OrangeHoops: New Feature @ OrangeHoops on Ranked Teams
The last time Syracuse beat a #1 team was on March 7, 2006 when the beat Connecticut on their historic Big East Title run, with the Orangemen winning four games in four days to take the title by Gerry McNamara’s MVP performance.

Three Idiots on Sports: Rony Seikaly - DJ Extraordinaire
Rony Seikaly continues to be a real spin doctor.

New Georgetown Policy: No Fun of Any Kind " Hoya Suxa
Through its network of operatives, Hoya Suxa has learned that the Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA) intends to legislatively confront many of these issues. As a forward protocol, the GUSA president has prepared the following memorandum for internal discussion purposes.

Three Reasons Why the Big Ten Won't Expand - Team Speed Kills
It's been big news around the college sports world that the Big Ten is thinking of expanding. It won't happen this time around, and here's why.

A very tired and disinterested Jeff Goodman explains why Syracuse is better than Georgetown:

ESPN Hearts Syracuse

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

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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...

The 'Cuse is loose!

SFBE.NF — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:30:40 -0000

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Remember when Syracuse, sans a Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf, began their season with that ugly loss to LeMoyne? The LeMoyne Dolphins, a DII school located just minutes from Syracuse, a city far away from any salt water, and an area uninhabitable by Dolphins.

That debacle was a long time ago. Today Syracuse is making a case for being the top team in the country after last night's 85-73 win over Florida, in which Boeheim's boys were in control of from start to finish. They now sit at 9-0 and look tougher than at least a few of the six teams currently ranked ahead of them.

Wesley Johnson is an absolute stud, one of the few players in the college game who can iso his man and knock down the 15 foot jumper....whenever the hell his team needs a bucket. He finished with 17 and 10 and is slowly garnering more and more attention for not only the Big East, but national POY consideration.

As for Florida, let applaud their effort up to this point of the season. Already this team has overachieved, and boasts a nice duo of Kenny Boynton and Chandler Parsons. But you can't have Alex Tyus flopping around looking like Mikki Moore if you want to be taken seriously. Billy Donovan has a weak frontcourt, and will have to rely on quick hits and high schooting percentages if he expects to be a top 15 mainstay.

Daily Links - Orangemen Of A Certain Age

Sean Keeley — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:57:35 -0000

New TNT show, 'Men of a Certain Age,' has Syracuse University roots | Entertainment & Weekend Blog - syracuse.com
For viewers tuning in to TNT’s new comedy-drama series "Men of a Certain Age," co-created by former "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Ray Romano, it might seem like everybody loves the Orange. Syracuse University banners hang from office walls at Joe’s Los Angeles store. At the home of his middle-age pal, auto salesman Owen, there’s an inflatable The Hulk figure wearing a Syracuse University jersey. The TV set nearby is playing an SU basketball game.

Orange Fizz: How is Marrone Winning Florida?
Larry Blustein has been scouring the prep fields of SoFla for decades. He currently writes for the Miami Herald and details the overwhelming talent coming out of the region at his website. He's been all over the Marrone marauding around the state.

Twitter / WAER SPORTS: Paul Harris interview
Paul Harris talks about being a Maine Red Claw and how he's dealing with his injury.

Coach Mac Podcast | The Axeman - Brent Axe
"Coach Mac" joined Brent Axe "On the Block" on ESPN Radio 1260 in Syracuse on Monday to talk about the honor and much more.

Orange Fizz: Coach Mac "Never Shoulda Left"
It's the greatest What-If? in SU history. Mac took the 'Cuse to four straight bowl games in his final four seasons, beginning with the magical 1987 roll to the Sugar Bowl.

Jim Boeheim Podcast | The Axeman - Brent Axe
Coach Boeheim and Brent Axe talked about a few things you would expect, including the big win over Maine on Saturday and a look ahead to Florida. But they also talked about polls and his involvement in them.

The Orange may not be bowl-bound, but nine of its foes are. And that's a pretty good thing. | Bud Poliquin -
We may be on the cusp of that whole Christmas thing with all of the decorating and shopping and what-not, but for Doug Marrone and his Syracuse University football staff, it’s the selling season.

Florida could be without two key reserves for Syracuse game | Orange Basketball Blog - syracuse.com
The 10th-ranked Florida Gators face No. 7 Syracuse on Thursday night, but the Gators might be without two key reserves.

Can you name the Syracuse basketball players (since the 1986-87 season)? - sporcle
I sure as hell can't.

Kenny's locked in the dungeon again! He talks about the blowout win over Maine and looks ahead to the Florida game.

K2P - The Orange Hoops 12/08/09 Show from FingerLakes1.com on Vimeo.

Daily Links - Brinkley On The Mend

Sean Keeley — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:25:06 -0000

Former Syracuse tailback Curtis Brinkley recovering from gunshot wounds with NFL dreams intact | Sports News - syracuse.com
The Chargers have stuck with him and have assured him that he still has a place with the club when he heals. It is something he said that he is truly thankful for — that and the knowledge that when his son is born in February, the boy will have a father.

Sports Talk: Andy Rautins is Jim Boeheim's latest coaching success | Sports News - syracuse.com
Did Coach Boeheim see something that others didn’t? Or did he just do a great job of getting the absolute most out of a player?"

Orange Fizz: Syracuse Orange Sports Blog, Recruiting and Podcasts.
The New York State High School Football Championships took place at the Dome over the weekend and you can bet the SU football program kept a keen eye on the proceedings.

Wesley Johnson, 6-7, 205, SF, Jr., Syracuse : FoxSports.com POTY Candidates
Wes Johnson - The Iowa State transfer has lived up to the billing from 'Cuse coach Jim Boeheim. Johnson was the best player on the court in a win against North Carolina in Madison Square Garden and is averaging 18.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and more than two assists, blocks and steals. He's also shooting 57 percent from the field and 52 percent from long distance.

Orange::44: Syracuse - Connecticut Postgame Reactions OR Even More Very Special Teams
Finally football is done for another year. But before we can let it go, we must mull over the final game of the year.

Paul Harris down and out? | Hoops Blog
Well then. Looks like that interview isn't happening any time soon. Just emailed the media contact for the Maine Red Claws to talk to Paul Harris and was shot down...

Big East's 1K gold guys - Big East Blog - ESPN
If 1,000 yards is still the gold standard for running backs, then the Big East has a treasure chest full of performers this season.

Orange Crush | For the public, by The Public
Look out college hoops fans because Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange are back in the mix

NorthJersey.com: Krautman kick-starts Ramapo
Future Syracuse kicker Ross Krautman doesn't miss very often.

The DO's Conor Orr & Tyler Dunne recap the SU-Colgate game.

Daily Links - Tremendous Weekend For SU

Sean Keeley — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:49:47 -0000

Syracuse University Athletics: Now that’s Tremendous
Coach Marrone likes to use the word "tremendous". He uses it a lot to describe a whole spectrum of things...Something tells me that on the inside he was thinking "that game was TREMENDOUS!" But he doesn’t have time to bask in the glory of one game. He has a plan and we all saw a brief glimpse of what the end results of that plan just might be.

Orange Fizz: Syracuse Orange Sports Blog, Recruiting and Podcasts.
Syracuse lost a five-star at the ESPN Zone, but the corresponding defense of the front and backyard made for a great weekend, and an even greater statement: New York is ours, and don't you forget it.

Big East helmet stickers, Week 12 - Big East Blog - ESPN
Doug Hogue & The SU Offensive Line pick up Big East helmet stickers.

Rush The Court " Blog Archive " RTC Team of the Week: Syracuse
The Orange’s performance left us wondering if this year’s version might be better than last year’s version even without Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, and Paul Harris. And for those of you who are wondering, the Orange will be in this week’s yet unreleased RTC Top 25, which should be out some time on Monday.

2010 NBA Draft Prospects - ESPN
Aaaaand...Wes Johnson is now a Top Ten NBA prospect.

What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? - CBSSports.com
How good would a Wesley Johnson/Craig Brackins combo be this season?

FORWARD PROGESS: SU's Michael scores career-high 36 in win over Binghamton - Sports
Syracuse womens basketball (4-0) is off to its best start since the 2004-05 season, when it also won its first four contests.

RPI Argument Nonsense - Casual Hoya
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly state that I will never, ever root for Syracuse because some dork with a pocket protector contends that it helps Georgetown's RPI. I don't care if Georgetown plays 29 games and 28 are against Syracuse University/Holding Cell/Juvenile Detention Center.

Northeastern cuts 74-year-old football program - ESPN Boston
Northeastern University is dropping its football program after 74 years, saying it's too expensive to maintain. The Huskies lost to Syracuse last season in the Dome.

The Syracuse-Cal game if played in NCAA Basketball 10. Wait, did that just say Rick Jackson is "lightning fast?" I think I found a bug!

What we missed from the first week of November

SFBE.NF — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:15:26 -0000

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Things we missed this week while acting wacky to the magic of Girl Talk...

The D-League held their annual draft this week. Some notable names that caught our eye:

CJ Anderson (Fort Wayne Mad Ants via Xavier) - Surprised to see this name pop up. Anderson had a nice career at Manhattan and then for the Muskies, but he doesn't really have any pro qualities.

Deron Washington (Los Angeles D-Fenders via Virginia Tech) - Washington is a high flyer who comes back to the states after a playing a season in Israel.

Nate Miles (Sioux Falls Skyforce via Southern Idaho JC) - Miles of course was a big time recruit for UCONN, then expelled for a number of reasons after the program's recruiting tactics were brought into question by Yahoo! Sports.

J'Nathan Bullock (Albuquerque Thunderbirds via Cleveland State) - Bullock initially tried out with the New York Jets earlier this year, despite not playing college football.

Paul Harris (Maine Red Claws via Syracuse) - Knowing that Harris will begin his inauspicious pro career in the place that we grew up makes us giddy.

USA Today reported that the rights for the NCAA Tournament may soon be up for grabs. CBS currently holds the rights through 2013 as part of an 11-year deal, but the NCAA can opt out after this season. Yes ESPN is probably interested, offering the prospects of Dick frieken Vitale announcing games in late March.
Arguably the most intriguing college freshman this season, John Wall, poured in a cool 27 points in his collegiate debut against D-II Clarion. He's going to be a nice little player.
Another notable debut didn't go over so well, however. Isiah Thomas and his Florida International Golden Panthers lost to NAIA Northwood. Best part of this story... Northwood is coached by Rollie Massimino who of course orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history back in 1985.
Olek Czyz needs to dust off his Nikes because Nolan Smith has been suspended by Duke for the first two games of the regular season. Smith played in an unsanctioned game over the summer and will be out against UNC-Greensboro and Coastal Carolina. The NCAA can be such a buzzkill.
Lance Stephenson won't miss anytime for the Bearcats. The super frosh was featured in a web-documentary during high school, and the NCAA (again, buzzkill) questioned how that all went down. But he's clean and cleared to play.

Paul Harris & Eric Devendorf, Come On Down...Hopefully (Updated)

Sean Keeley — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:34:52 -0000

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The NBDL Draft is tonight at 7pm EST. And to answer your first question...no, I'm not kidding.

Here's what's so great about the age we live in. There's a sports blog dedicated solely to the NBDL and if you want coverage or analysis of tonight's event, you need not look any further.

Syracuse fans might be particularly interested in the draft because there's a reasonable chance that at least one Orangeman's name will be called. Both Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf has tried to catch on with an NBA team but nothing has stuck, leaving this as their last, best option other than playing abroad. Harris played summer ball with the T'wolves and went into camp with the Jazz but an ankle injury put the kibosh on that.

According to Matthew Brennan at the NBA's Prospect Watch, Harris is among the top prospects available tonight.

Harris was a top-high school recruit and earned All-BIG EAST honors during his three-year tenure at Syracuse. The 6-5 Harris is a bit undersized for an NBA forward, but his outstanding athletic ability should help make him a top player in the NBA D-League. Harris was with the Utah Jazz in training camp but was hampered by injury and should now be raring to go for whatever team selects him on Thursday.

In fact, it's already a foregone conclusion that Harris will go in the first round according to friends and a certain SU legend:

Friends of Harris, including former Niagara Falls High School basketball assistant Sal Constantino, and former Syracuse basketball player John Wallace, have fielded calls this week from D-League coaches who have said Harris will likely be a first-round pick.

Constantino said Harris has been classified as an A player, meaning he’ll get the highest possible salary for a D-League rookie.

Harris is quoted in the story as saying "Right now, I wouldn’t go play in Europe if they paid me a million dollars," due to his desire to make it in the NBA. We shall see on that one.

The folks at Ridiculous Upside peg Harris as a good fit for our old friends, the Bakersfield Jam. The Franchise that Gerry McNamara Built (Not Really) pick fourth overall.

While Harris' name keeps popping up, Eric Devendorf's name has not. A few weeks back Devo's agent say he was still mulling his options, which include the NBDL. Given the apparant lack of interest, he might not have a choice but to go International. There are 128 potential spots up for grabs tonight...if Devo doesn't get asked to be one of them, Latvia here we come!

Update 1: Paul Harris is off the board and heading to Maine! He's the first pick of the Maine Red Claws (8th overall). The Claws are in their inaugural season and are affiliated with the Celtics (makes sense) and Bobcats (huh?). Our good friends over at the CMSB have all the Red Claw news and notes you could care for. FYI, their head coach is Austin Ainge, son of Danny.

Your obligatory Big East primer

SFBE.NF — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:26:57 -0000

Based on last year's Conference RPI ratings, the Big East finished fourth overall. But when you put two teams in the Final Four (Nova, UCONN), another two in the Elite Eight (Louisville, Pitt), have the top overall team coming into the tournament (Louisville again), and host one of the greatest games of attrition in college basketball history (Cuse-UCONN), you shouldn't let Jerry Palm and the like tell you otherwise. Common sense whispered in my ear and said this was the best conference in college basketball last season. It's odd though...seven months removed from that epic season, the Big East isn't facing as much of a hangover as you would expect.

West Virginia will be a lot of fun to watch. Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler know how to score on their own terms, and Bob Huggins knows how to win...on his own terms.

Villanova is going to run, and run until their opponent concedes defeat. They have a great balance of experience and young guns in Maalik Wayns and Dominic Cheek. The majority of their rotation will consist of guards, but I have always been a believer that having talented guards is remarkably more important in college basketball than having a solid front court.

UCONN is UCONN. They remain freakishly athletic, and you can't blindly discount a Jim Calhoun team until they prove their mediocrity on the court.

Syracuse loses 55 percent of their scoring but will ease into the season with their, as expected, paltry non-conference schedule (Colgate and Cornell and Columbia!!!). Oh Jim Boeheim you're so wise. Meanwhile, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris will get to watch all of this from afar, wondering what was in that sticky stuff they smoked last spring, which told them to "go pro."

And of course there's still Luke Harangody, who is bound to break at least a few scoring records this season and is a leading candidate for all those national player of the year awards.

Yup, the Big East is still our favorite conference. So much so that even your dreadful Providence-Depaul match-up is something we can stand to watch.

A breakdown is after the jump.

Tourney teams (in order of conference finish)

1.      Villanova
2.      West Virginia
3.      UCONN
4.      Syracuse
5.      Georgetown
6.      Notre Dame
7.      Louisville
8.     Cincinnati

*and maybe, just maybe, Seton Hall sneaks in here

All Conference Team

Jerome Dyson, UCONN
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati

Most overrated - Louisville's backcourt. Karen Sypher.

Most underrated - Cincinnati. Stanley Robinson.

Notable non-conference match-ups:

12/6 - Villanova vs. Maryland
12/9 - UCONN vs. Kentucky (MSG)
12/12 - Georgetown vs. Washington
1/1 - West Virginia @ Purdue
1/2 - Louisville @ Kentucky

Five story lines to keep tabs on:

Cincinnati. Has Mick Cronin finally turned the corner? He has three scoring threats in Deonta Vaughn, Yancy Gates and Lance Stevenson. The Bearcats may breakout this season.

Guard U. How will Jay Wright handle a team that has three bonafide guards, two elite incoming guards, and a Reggie Redding who is suspended for the fall semester but will spend most of his time on the wing once he returns.

Luke Harangody. For the few who play fantasy college basketball, he's your number one pick. With transfer Scott Martin tearing his ACL last month, the Irish are now even that much thinner. Gody currently ranks 8^th on the programs all-time scoring list, and if he just replicates his 23.3 ppg output from last season, he will supplant Austin Carr as the most prolific scorer in Irish history.

Louisville. How do they hold up now that they are down this season and their in-state counterparts have catapulted back into the Final Four picture?

Depaul. Do they win a Big East game this season? They're 2-28 in their last 30 Big East regular season games dating back to January 2008.

Orange44 Is An Absolute Magician 28.0

Sean Keeley — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:07:35 -0000

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You know the drill by now. Brian Harrison of Orange44 and I take turns asking each other questions about Syracuse sports. Insight is provided. Jokes are made. Life is shared. It's matzo ball soup for the Syracuse fan's soul.

This week Brian and I recap the Maine game, talk about the USF game, ponder the fate of Devo & Harris and wonder aloud if the Yankee Bowl sounds like a good fit for the Orange.

The Maine win was sloppy and frustrating at times. Do Orange fans have the right to complain about their wins or should we just be happy to get them?

We probably should all be happy that we are winning games, but that being said mistakes and underachievement are still mistakes and underachievement. I myself gave two failing grades to the team in my postgame reactions. When you take a step back, or are surprised by things like say a punter that is actually a quarterback AND the fans notice and the team doesn't, then you deserve some criticism. That is fair, and so a little criticism is warranted until this team is performing at the level they should be, or even overachieving, which is the standard Doug Marrone himself has set for his players. Therefore I don’t feel bad calling them out on it here or anywhere.

What's the #1 thing Syracuse should take away from the Maine game?

That special teams needs to take a long, hard look at what they are doing. Specifically I am talking about the kick return and punt return formations. Losing some possessions against a 1-AA team is all well and good, but if we do that this week it is going to be hard to get out of that hole, and the entire fan base knows it. I’m sure the team and coaches know it as well. And much like ball security from the Northwestern game, you can be sure that Doug Marrone and staff are working on special teams this week to correct those mistakes or lapses. Therefore, I’m not really worried about it. They definitely took care of the ball security issue. Will USF need to go for broke like USF? Probably not. But it is nice to know SU can stop it if they do.

We're .500! It's only been three years but it feels like an eternity. Looking ahead, can the Orange actually turn this into a bowl-eligible season?

It is certainly possible. But I, much like several of the other bloggers, think this will be a five win season. However, rather than being realistic Debbie Downer in this answer I’m going with bright and uplifting. If Syracuse can get to five wins before that Connecticut game, the sheer desire and will of this team attempting to get to six wins may carry them over Connecticut. However, the team will need a lot of luck and weather on their side as Syracuse has never won in East Hartford. We need a nice road win in the conference, and if it is somewhere besides L'ville it is a nice step forward. Oh and for the record, UConn... U SUCK!

South Florida's defense looks about as tough as any we'll face this year. Does our offense stand a chance?

Two words: Mike Williams. Syracuse will have a chance because of Greg Paulus’ evasion ability, as well as Mike Williams. If the other receivers get hot as well, we have a real shot of shocking the Bulls, who may just underestimate Syracuse and be already looking past the Orange. What will be key on the day is Delone Carter finding some moderate success on the ground. Syracuse will no doubt fail to protect Paulus on every snap, but if the offensive line can win some battles up front in terms of the run, then Syracuse could really have something that could snowball and catch fire. Wait… what? You know what I mean. That will be the key to Syracuse pulling the upset. With Mike Williams the offense always has a chance to get a game breaker.

Which player can Syracuse least afford to lose...Greg Paulus, Delone Carter, Mike Williams or Arthur Jones?

At this point you have to say Arthur Jones. While no starter would be good to lose, Syracuse could sub in competent people in all of those positions. However, Jones is the leader of the defense, the first line of defense, and has the resume of a genuine playmaker. He has the ability to make offenses key on him by taking up two offensive linemen. While Williams has similar ability on the offense, he still needs Paulus to deliver the ball to him, where as Jones is responsible for his own destiny. And as we all know, the Syracuse rush defense and defensive line is pretty good. The secondary is not so much. Losing Jones means that all of the defense would be just pedestrian, and that would spell trouble for the team as a whole.

What is the marquee Big East football game shaping up to be this season? Cincy-USF? Cincy-Pitt to close it out?

Pitt is still lacking that marquee win, especially after losing to the ACC last week. Right now the game has to be either Cincy/USF or Cincy/WVU. Because of the big win over Florida State, you have to think right now it is Cincinnati and USF. Cincinnati is simply dominating right now, and until they lose I will assume they will be far and away the outright Big East Champion. While West Virginia is a good team, they did lose to Auburn. Right now USF and Cincinnati are perfect, so that has to be your marquee matchup, that will most likely decide the league championship. Next week may be a completely different game though.

Where will Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf be six months from now?

Handing me a combo meal? ZIIIIIIIING!

Just kidding. I imagine that Eric Devendorf will have exhausted all of his NBA attempts and will be playing in Italy or some other European country, earning thousands of dollars, and supporting his family well. Similarly, I believe Harris, especially with a recent setback of a sprained ankle, will fizzle out with all of his NBA leads. He is probably heading to the AAU or semi-professional route. Maybe he can catch on in Europe as well and get a nice pay day, but I have not heard anyone that interested in him from the other side of the pond. Who knows? I’m sure his agent, both their agents, are on the phone trying to get these guys signed somewhere that will benefit from their experience and can pay them handsomely for it. Obviously I wish them both the best of luck though. Hopefully they will both find a position playing basketball being well compensated somewhere they enjoy.

The Yankee Bowl is happening, possibly next year. Would you rather see the Orange play in that or the International Bowl?

Speaking from personal experience, back in the day (specifically 2001), and even in 2004 when we still went to Bowl Games, the entire point was to get to go to a place that was not balls cold like Syracuse was and is in the month of December or early January. I went to both of those Bowl Games, in Phoenix and Orlando respectively, and let me say that a big part of the Bowl Game affair would have been sullied had those not been warm weather locations.

Similar to the first questions however, at this point beggars can’t be choosers. If we go to a Bowl Game we should be extremely glad because that means we won six games and will be making a bowl appearance for the first time since 2004. Kudos and huzzahs all around. However, in picking between those two locations, most Syracuse fans when looking strictly at their own personal comfort in watching the game, will pick the International Bowl. As prestigious as it would be playing in Yankee Stadium (and keep in mind I am a huge Yankees fan saying this) I would rather go to Toronto because that stadium has a dome. While I myself have gone to several outdoor football games in the last few years, admittedly the Carrier Dome has spoiled me. Plus I enjoy the Sky Dome (yes, I still call it that). Also, I get to Toronto far less than the City of New York, so to have a good reason just to hang out in Toronto isn’t a bad thing.

So for me, I guess I’d rather go to Toronto. But honestly, anything south of Maryland is clearly preferred. Out west is fine too. It is ridiculous when I agree with Bud Poliquin. Although to be fair, the last time we played a game on my birthday, December 29th, was in 2001 and we won 26-3. Maybe that Yankee Bowl wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.