Jimmy V Classic a Learning Experience For All
by Ray Floriani
NEW YORK – Teams competing in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden found out something about themselves. That is bound to happen when you face top-flight competition this early.
In the opener of the doubleheader, Oklahoma State edged Syracuse 72-68. The win kept the Cowboys undefeated at 10-0, but of greater significance is the realization that the Cowboys successfully can finish out close games. A year ago OSU was an uncharacteristic 17-16. The off-court issues didn’t help, but the fact remained that 8 losses came in the final possession.
“Already we have four close wins,” beamed coach Sean Sutton. “Everyone came back focused and winning the close games comes with growth, maturity and confidence.”
Oklahoma State pounded the boards and ran well, especially in the second half. A number of the transition opportunities were fueled by Syracuse turnovers. Cowboys were hurt by turnovers a year ago. They still are prone to throw the ball away but, in general, have better cohesion and sense of purpose this young season.
The contributions of junior guard JamesOn Curry, who scored 20 points and hit a crucial trey in the waning moments, were also vital. Up front, 6-7 senior Mario Boggan (21 points 8 boards) did appreciable damage in the lane.
Syracuse received a further reminder that corrections are needed. “We have to rebound better and stop making turnovers (23 on the night),” coach Jim Boeheim said. “We have to execute and get better offensively.”
Demetrius Nichols led all scorers with 26 points. Highly-touted freshman Paul Harris added 11, but of greater significance was the fact he energized Syracuse down the stretch. Harris is a muscular swingman who can penetrate, defend and rebound. He is weathering an adjustment period.
“He (Harris) needs to work on his outside shot,” Boeheim said. “He is also trying to find his way in our offense. He will be really good but right now is a work in progress.”
Boeheim was pleased his team came back from a late double-digit deficit and put themselves in a position to pull it out. It was the second straight game Syracuse staged a comeback. In most recent contest before the Jimmy V Classic, Syracuse came back from 20 down and nearly pulled it out before dropping a close one to Wichita State. On this night, Syracuse showed that same resiliency. On the flip side, Boeheim realizes that taking care of the ball (less turnovers, better decisions) will prevent having to make significant comebacks.
In the nightcap, Arizona stopped Louisville 72-65. The big story of that contest, probably the night, was the play of a freshman, and it wasn’t Edgar Sosa or Derrick Caracter of Louisville. The attention-grabber was Arizona yearling Chase Budinger. A 6-7 forward, Budinger scored 17 points while adding 3 steals and blocking 3 shots. His game has versatility and intelligence imprinted on it. Needless to say he was the object of many of the NBA talent evaluators. Budinger can bury the perimeter shot, mix it up in the paint and he is a passer extraordinaire. Rest assured there are some NBA clubs who would love to have his services now.
He made his mark with the local fans in this building. Rick Pitino has enjoyed success in the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’. Remember his New York Knick days? Most recently the Louisville coach has struggled here. Last year the Cards lost to St. John’s in regular season and were knocked out of the Big East Tournament in the opening round, then dropped an NIT semifinal to eventual champion South Carolina.
With the injuries and struggles of last year behind, Pitino has a few solid first-year players of his own to count on. Sosa, a product of New York prep power Rice High School, is a very athletic guard with the ability to slash to the hoop. Caracter is in much better physical condition, as weight problems and conditioning were a factor during his high school days. Now slimmer, the 6-9 Caracter is more effective and runs the floor better. He still has to concentrate on defense as the Wildcats fouled him out midway through the second half. There is also 6-9 Earl Clark, a New Jersey product with point guard skills that is utilized in a forward capacity by Pitino.
Pitino is very happy with a slimmer Caracter’s progress. He does note their will be “bouts of foul trouble because,” he never has played defense before.” One wonders how much Kevin Boyle of St. Patrick’s (one of Caracters’ prep stops) agrees with that statement.
While Pitino is generally pleased with his club’s outlook and prospects, Wildcat coach Lute Olson was happy with his defense. The string music of the first half turned into heavy metal the final twenty minutes. Arizona shot 18 percent in the last half, but the Wildcats were bailed out by some outstanding defensive work. That’s an encouraging sign coming this early against a quality opponent.
Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins said before the game that the club generally settles into a groove and comes together during the holiday break. “You get the time off (from school), exams are over, classes are done and you can just concentrate on games and practices. Each year we really seem to jell during that time.” Just in time for the start of Big East play following the new year.
Syracuse will definitely need that time. Call it ‘quality ‘ or ‘drawing board time’, Boeheim admits the team is still not in an offensive rhythm. As the coach noted, the loss of Gerry McNamara has been huge. ‘G Mac’ often bailed Syracuse out when offensive options ran out and someone had to step up. Presently, Syracuse hasn’t found any individual(s) who might assume such a role.
One fan in attendance was Renaldo Balkman of the New York Knicks. “I’m rooting for Louisville even though we (as a South Carolina player) beat them in the NIT,” Balkman said. When asked how he enjoys playing in New York he quickly replied, “I love it. This is a great place to play. Our fans are good. One minute they cheer you, the next they wind up booing you but you know they are always behind you.”
On The Baseline
- A fan came dressed for the first game in orange tux complete with top hat and tails. A crazed Syracuse fan? No, it was a Cowboy fanatic. “Hey, I came over 1,0000 miles to follow the Cowboys,” the formally clad fan explained. “When you come to New York you have to go all out.” He certainly did.
- Out of the four schools Arizona, the one that traveled the farthest, was the only one to bring cheerleaders. “We have great bakers and boosters who sent us here,” said Arizona cheer coach Phoebe Chalk.
- One of the cheerleaders, Angie Peiffer, a junior, noted she is from Ohio. She proudly gave allegiance to the Buckeyes in football but noted her true devotions stay with Arizona.
- His New Jersey Nets having been dispatched by the Dallas Mavericks across the river, Richard Jefferson got to the Garden to see his former Arizona club in the second half. Jefferson posed for pictures with the Arizona cheerleaders and accepted applause and greetings from AU faithful seated near the team bench.
