So you've heard a lot of Dion Waiters comparisons, either by the gushing of announcers or via the re-tweet fest that occurs 23 of the day's 24 hours. Two of the most common comparisons, and sometimes seemingly ridiculous, are Dwayne Wade and Lebron James. Personally, let's throw Lebron out the window because, well, there isn't really anyone else like him.

But what about D-Wade? The two are essentially the same size. In college Wade was listed as 6'4 and 210 (he has since gained 10 lbs). Dion is listed at 6'4 and 215. OK, so they are the same size, they are both strong physically and play with great energy. But what about their stats?

Sidenote: It's great when Syracuse is doing so well that statistics crunching is a priority in a fan's mind.

Following are Dion's current statistics through 18 games of his sophomore year, and Dwayne Wade's sophomore season (33 games) - thanks to the amazing site statsheet.com

Just a warning, this is going to be a LONG fanpost. I was bored at work and find this really interesting, definitely enough to carry me to 4 p.m. Only the brave should continue.

Anyways, the stats are very interesting. I remember D-Wade at Marquette being more of a physical player in terms of crashing the glass and playing back to the basket on offense. The stats seem to back this up. Instead of writing in paragraph form, I'm going to list my observations. I'd love to hear your comments to see if they are comparable or if this is a ridiculous exercise.

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- First off, before we get into the stat sheet, Wade led Marquette to the Final Four and dropped a triple-double in the Elite Eight against Kentucky. You're next, Dion.

- Dion has played just above half of the season (Syracuse has 13 games left +postseason so hopefully it is less than half), so it's fair to roughly multiply his stats by 2. Additionally, Dion averages 10 minutes less per game. He also is not the focal point of Syracuse's offense as much as Wade was. But let's get into it.

- Clearly Wade has an advantage in scoring, although, if you extend their stats to per 40, Dion isn't too far off.

- Interestingly, Dion holds a higher offensive rating, likely because of his better assist:turnover ratio.

- Dion, as shown by the graph below, has also made a vast improvement since his first year in terms of career offensive rating. I wonder if this has to do with D-Wade's offensive workload and responsibility. Although Dion is a pretty huge portion of the Cuse offense, I'm not sure it's the same. (Dion is orange, btw)

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-As stated before, it seemed like Wade played more inside. It's true. He attempted 501 2pt fgs, and only attempted 44 three pointers. In comparison, Dion is on pace to shoot in the mid 300s of 2 point fgs, and has already attempted 47 threes. I still think their games are pretty similar, but in terms of their games' shot selection, Dion has a higher ratio of deep outside shooting. He is also a little more efficient (still not great overall) from that range. This tells me both like to drive and get in close to the hoop. Wade probably did this a little more, or was better at drawing contact, as he is going to outshoot Dion from the charity stripe.

- I like stats, but I'm not exactly sure how to get True Shooting %. I do see that Dion is a little better. So take that D-wade.

- Wade, despite his similar size, is a bit more physical than Waiters in terms of rebounding. In fact, he had 60 offensive rebounds his sophomore campaign, accounting for almost two per game. Dion averages one every three games. Wade was also stronger on the defensive glass as well. Hard to fully gauge this as the defensive assignments are completely different.

- Assists are comparable, but as stated before, Dion has a much better assist to turnover ratio.

- Dion has a slight advantage (so far) in steals. Both have a pension for thefts, so I think we can say it's just a strength for both players.

- Wade has a huge advantage in blocks. Again, I think it's a bit different based on defensive schemes. Usually at the top of the zone, the design is to get the guards steals, not blocks. Yet Dion, and Darius Johnson Odom, would beg to differ. I think Dion would definitely get more blocks in man-to-man, although I'm not sure he's as quick a riser on defense as Wade.

- Lastly, the stats didn't come up for Wade here, but it is awesome seeing Dion ranked 21st in plus minus. Awesome.

Conclusion:

I think that it's really difficult to compare an eight year NBA vet to a current college player. There is so much time for so much to happen to differentiate the two. Remember, a few months back, people were thinking Dion might be leaving Syracuse. Who knows what that would have done to his game? This is why I've tried my best to focus on observations from Wade's Marquette days, and why I've compared their sophomore year stats.

But, when perusing the statistics, and using game observations, the two are pretty similar indeed. They are built extremely similar. They play the game with a lot of tenacity on both ends of the court, shown by high steal percentages and solid offensive numbers. Both seemingly get to the rim at ease, and finish well as evidenced by their high fg percentages for guards without a proficiency from the outside (3 pt range). I do think Wade is a more explosive finisher at the rim, although if you give Dion a running start, he can throw down just as hard. There are some differences, as there will be with any players, but in my mind enough statistical similarities to confirm many people's hunches that the two play pretty comparably.

Of course a lot can happen to change that. But what do you all think?

Can someone please make a GIF compilation of James Southerland dancing?

I'd greatly appreciate the effort. I know one was made last year, but the dancing from this video takes it to a whole new level. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6729jpXAuPo&feature=player_embedded#!

I really wish we would have just stuck with Rob Murphy as our rapper. The beginning, and well, the rest of this Unfinished Business song, don't hold a candle to Shut it Down.

Anyways, good stuff. Pinstripe Bowl was a lot of fun. Good work SU tailgaters out there. We had a blast.

Let's get Ishaq. Let's get some more BBall wins. And let's get a GIF of James eating the soup.

Go Orange

I don't think he'll stay in contention, but CJ right now is in an article on yahoo sports for collegiate dunk of the year.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Dunk-of-the-Year-nominee-Memphis-forward-D-J-S?urn=ncaab-300042

Although I think his dunk was impressive, I definitely see someone topping it this year. So far though, through my orange colored glasses, I think his is the best. He's got the top flight time, as well as cocking it back and slamming it home. That just sounds dirty.

Do we agree?

I think CJ can top this.

Does anyone have any news about how and when Syracuse planned on mailing out the Pinstripe Bowl tickets?

I am curious when they are coming in because I'm traveling for the holidays.

Hmmm....seventy five words. Anyone know where their seats are in the stadium yet? Why is this whole thing so secretive? Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange Go Orange

Just an update for all those people with lots of chest hair who will be tailgating outside, in pure college football fashion, for the Pinstripe Bowl. I've been doing some research into the issue, and it's been a little confusing thanks to everything being a corporate enterprise with the new stadium. The word that I got from Yankee Stadium is that all normal lots for yankee games will be open.

Here's a link to the lots: http://baseball-parking.com/Parking-Locations/

The website says open flames are prohibited. But that was ridiculous, so I went ahead and called their offices. The word that I got from them is that open flames are allowed in the open air lots (surface lots - look more so for the self park ones obviously) and that the lots would be opening 5 hours prior to the event. So I believe we are looking at 10:30 a.m. if their word is correct. She said that technically they aren't supposed to allow open flames, but in asking for clarification she said that if I brought a charcoal grill it wouldn't be a problem, but a massive grill would be. I plan on taking a few Weber classic grills.

10:30 should be fine, I was hoping a little early but I guess this allows a little more sleep. One final word of advice. MAKE SURE TO bring solo cups for your beverages. I know in the past they've ticketed people with open containers.

Hopefully this means there will be a decent tailgate scene. If you can make it tailgating up in the Cuse no excuses. Breathe in that fresh Bronx air...that's right....breathe it in.

I'm extraordinarily bored at work...and I really don't feel like doing much. So let's get some way too early plans for this pinstripe bowl.

Talking points:

1) Where our seats will be - how many Cuse fans we expect. Are we thinking sell out?

2) Tailgating situation. Parking with tailgating allowed is limited in the BX. There are some garages near the stadium but I'm pretty sure they will ticket you for grilling. This leaves the River lots. I'm planning on getting there super early to lock down a spot. Cuse should hold down an entire lot.

3) How do we feel about this game? Big 12 offenses are usually spread based and score a ton of points. Not exactly our forte. K State has a very strong running back. We have been struggling against the run. But also, K State has one of the worst run defenses in the country. Will Delone be healthy? Dougles will have a looong time to game plan. I'm confident in him and Schaffer's abilities. But I was very disheartened by what was supposed to be a "loose" offense going into the last few games of the year. I know we are not super talented, but how are we going to keep up with a fast paced offense? We're going to need to show a little more guts in the passing game. Hopefully Loeb gets some first team reps in case Nassib starts throwing the ball into the bleachers a la Chuck Knoblauch.

4) What will this actually do for recruiting? Is it biggest for this year? I think this could really help as we can swipe some recruits from Rutgers as they are down. Also I know Penn State has a huge leg up on us in terms of recruiting but they are also a bit down this year. Maybe we can pilfer a few.

5) Will you please wear orange? Thank you.

Are we going to get a fund going for some kids from Syracuse to go to Saturday's game? I wouldn't mind throwing down a few bucks - think this might be a better game this time around.

What do we think?

75 words - GO CUSE BEAT L'VILLE, love that I'm not overly excited about basketball season right now. Not that I don't love bball but just because we still have football going. Two sport school? No way! Much different than the 2004-2008 years I attended SU.

Brian Bennett said on his "game of the week" preview that anything less than a sellout and raucous crowd and he will be extremely disappointed in the Syracuse fans as this is their biggest game since 2004.

Great, now we're going to not only be embarrassed ourselves, but embarrassed by ESPN harping about the weak showing as well. This needs to get taken care of. I'm really unhappy with the Syracuse fans, as I've made heard on the site. I'm driving at least 7 hours to get to this game and cannot possibly understand why we can't be close to a sellout. But I'm also equally disappointed with the athletic department. There were 48k at the Minnesota game last year. I understand there was excitement around Marrone, but that was all energy surrounding the potential of the team. Here we actually have a team that is 4-1 playing host to a talented but underachieving Pitt team. And it's homecoming weekend. I don't understand how those in the marketing section of the athletic department can pack up their bags and go home each night this week knowing the current figures.

This must be a sellout. Start donating some tickets. Extend the current deals and come out with a few extra promotions. With recruits in the building and a tough team lining up against use the house must be full. The benefits far outweigh the risks.

But this is something we can't really control. So my rant is over. But go get tickets, no excuses, and bring your damn friends!

Bloodyyank threw down the hammer yesterday and I really can't disagree with anything that he said. Hoya Suxa also enlightened the Nunes board about the fans of Syracuse. Figured I'd give my two cents.

I, for some reason, have always been drawn to analyzing crowds. And at Cuse, I've mostly been disappointed. My first year at Cuse in 2004 I thought I was heading into a school where there would be die-hard fans for basketball and football rocking the Dome at all times. While there were definitely some highlights, a lot of the time I was disappointed. It seems to me that there are about 25-30 thousand good fans that will show up no matter what. But a lot of these fans are passive, and have difficulty making much noise. Granted, the four years i was at Cuse were absolutely awful sports wise. But the problem is, with some fairweather fans, it's not going to get completely better without fan support. Current players feed off the fans, opposing teams can be rattled by the fans, and recruits want to play in front of energized buildings. This isn't a new development either. I was so disappointed by the fans when I was at school that I repeatedly called them out in my column that I wrote for the Daily Orange. In case you want to read an article from 2006, here you go:Ways to Improve the Student Section

I think what everyone has said has been on the money. The locals could definitely improve, but that will come with added student support and, unfortunately, a team that is more respectable under HCDM. 

So we've beat the issue to death. Now my question is, what can we do about it?

Interestingly, I'm usually pretty impressed by Cuse fans on the road. I'm down in DC now, and when Cuse played the Hoyas, Orange was everywhere and exceptionally loud. Our alumni seems to be passionate. I wonder if it's simply returning to central new york that dissuades some of them from attending football games.

Syracuse should really market the hell out of Homecoming a whole lot more. The game day atmosphere could definitely also be improved. How about shutting down Euclid Ave to cars to allow parties a la mayfest and tailgating galore. This alone would draw back at least 1,000 drunks looking to relive their collegiate glory.

But how about the everyday fans, what can they actually do? I don't have that many ideas, but I think we need to start coming up with some solutions as we are the most passionate and intelligent Cusians on the interweb. One thing that seemed to work when I was in the student section was simply being an enthusiastic drunk. I would strategically position myself near the commoners section. Then I would meet and great down the aisle and tell them that I would be expecting their support and wanted hysteria. During the game I would run up and down the aisle, high fiving and screaming at those who were not loud enough. Sounds stupid. It was. But that might just be the way to do it. Win over a section one at a time.

Extremely long fan post, but what do we think? What can everyday fans do to improve the overall atmosphere in the Dome?

So lets look ahead at the next game, cause I think we've all had enough of looking back at Louisville.

I'll be in DC for the game and I'm looking forward to it. I haven't been in a heated road environment for a cuse game, and I'm pumped. The nerds will likely be looking for revenge from how they were treated in the upper deck of the Dome, but I could honestly care less if I were soaked in pepsi, I just want to see Cuse repeat what happened earlier this year.

What do you guys think about this game?

Anyone going down there? Usually have a good contingent of fans in DC, hoping for some Lets Go Orange chants.

So I was looking on nbadraft.net to see if our friend Wesley was still sitting at Number 3 on the draft board. He was still there (and by the way, although I do love Wes, there is no way he should leapfrog Evan Turner at 2 - that guy is a beast) so I decided to check out the 2011 draft.

Rick Jackson has been showing up on that list and today he checked in at 42. But, another named popped up. Kris Joseph at 22.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft

Now the man is playing great, has a good game and as Jay Bilas would say, great length. He's really been Mr. Versatility in the past few games.

My question is, do you think Joseph bolts after next year? Hard to say as we will likely see how he handles more of a starring role. But what do you all think?

I know it's next season and there are plenty of topics to discuss. While I'm not really worried about Joseph it's just interesting to start seeing him really starting to develop and get some credit.

I'm noticing for some reason that there are really no affordable tickets for the Cuse Seton Hall game on the 29th. On Stub Hub there are only 20 tickets available and they range from $65 to about $350.

I don't really mind shelling out $65, but out of principle, I simply do not want to pay this amount for a game that involves seton hall. Especially when they are playing in Newark (although I've been to a few devils games in there and the arena is actually really nice - cuse fans are in for a treat).

Anyone know the reasoning for these absurd prices or have gotten better deals? Good looks

on the sunday tip time. If cbssports is right, it's looking like a 5:05 tip. This is complete garbage cause there are basically no fucking flights out of memphis after 6:30. Of course I'm a nieve bastard and decide to book flights over the weekend and of course grabbed the latest I could find on Sunday (6:30). So now, I am, well, screwed if the cuse wins, cause all flights the next morning on this airline are upwards of $700.

I need ideas, tips, or just some flat out money for a poor nyc school teacher trying to not take a 4 day weekend under the realm of a vicious bloodsucking principal.

I'm going nuts because I really buy into SU whoopin Okla...knock on wood.

Any tips?

Excellent victory today. Two sleepy games but two wins...of course we'll take it!

Is anyone going to Memphis for the regional? I got tickets once the bracket came out on stubhub, so I'll be up in the nosebleeds but will be making more than enough noise.I'm wondering if we're going to have any sort of fan presence at this game. I would love to be surrounded by Cuse followers but I don't think memphis is an extremely big SU alum destination.

Anyways, anyone think us Cuse fans should hit a bar pregame or something? Leave thoughts below

Anyone jumping ahead and...knocking on wood....buying tickets to the Memphis regional? I got some tickets to the games in Memphis but looking at flights from NYC and it's ridiculous there are none on Sunday night. Obviously I'm going to wait on flights until things develop a bit, but is anyone going out and taking a risk and booking some tix?

Let me know if you are planning on giving it a shot.

Not only has he has Cuse with one less win on our record every single week in bracketology, but he still has SU as a 6 seed. Somehow, Washington, who is 24-7 in a pretty shitty Pac 10, is a 3 seed. I mean I don't think that the Orange should skyrocket, but not moving for the past 2 weeks despite winning 6 straight while a lot of other teams fall? Come on.

Oh and he was a dick in his chat - http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=25448

What's the strategy for buying tickets to the BET? I'm not sure if it's safe to wait until after saturday's game because ticket prices are already shooting through the roof. Are alumni going to get some sort of chance through the university?

I'm just kind of worried considering that about 8,000 of the 11,000 people at the St. John's game at the garden were Cuse fans. Could make getting a ticket quite hard.

Does anyone know if tonight's game against Rutgers is available online anywhere? I don't have ESPNU at home near NYC and saw some people posting sites where games are ocassionally streaming. Thanks!

Apparently I have to make this 75 words long. So does anyone think that by any chance we will land in Philly for the first few rounds (expecting that we make the tourney, knock on wood)? I know they want to keep the team close to home but that might be too much of an advantage. I went to the Nova Cuse game and the entire upper deck was Syracuse fans.