Heart? Desire? Mental toughness? None of the above Saturday for the Orange, as Syracuse was handed one of the most embarrassing defeats in program history. Georgetown crushed SU 61-39, the worst offensive showing in Jim Boeheim’s three decades. The final matchup ever between the two schools in the Big East conference, and SU brought nothing to the table, outscored 36-21 in the second half.
Hoyas fans chanted goodbye to Syracuse in the blowout win, and based on the players‚Äô body language, it sure looked like SU was looking to leave anyway. In a game with so much hype and excitement,¬†you wouldn’t think Boeheim would have to say much. But incredibly there was little energy and effort rom Syracuse all dat. The offense continues to look atrocious, and one has to wonder how short the stay in the NCAA tourney will be.
As we theorized a few days ago, the DePaul game could very well be the final win of the season. Does anyone like SU’s chances in Manhattan the way its playing right now? And if the Orange gets the 5/12 matchup in the NCAA’s, it would seem like easy pickings to choose the underdog to pull it off.
It’s hard to believe Syracuse was 18-1 and a top 5 team cruising in the Big East conference at one point. SU gutted out a key win at top-ranked Louisville, but ever since has looked lost. The Orange shot a pitiful 15-of-46 and hit just one three point field goal in DC. SU‚Äôs defense was fine the first half, but SU’s AWOL offense sunk the day again.
The bottom line is the seniors, Brandon Triche and James Southerland, once again were terrible. The duo combined to go 1-16 from the field for just 3 measly points. Great way to say goodbye guys.
This is a type of loss SU fans will never forget. It ranks up there with the 2/15 loss in the ’91 tourney to Richmond, and the shocker vs. Vermont in ’05. Syracuse is off to the ACC next season, and to get obliterated by the hated Hoyas on the way out the door is brutal.
Credit G’Town for their execution and stellar play to win at home, but there was zero sense of urgency from Syracuse. 35,012 show up at the Carrier Dome to see a brick fest and Otto Porter Jr. go off, and with the chance to return the favor on the road, SU craps the bed on the national stage.
The he Big East tournament is one last chance for Syracuse to pull together, and keep its head held high in the final days of the conference, but the month of March is awfully quiet on the Hill right now.
Posted: Brendan Glasheen
