As Auburn and Arkansas rebuild themselves into contenders, we would be remiss if we didn't notice that Syracuse is alao making some noise. A banner atop the Orange's website boldly proclaims the team's intent: The Next Dynasty.
Going into yesterday's match up with Big East Player of the Year Angel McCoughtry and the rest of the 11-2 Louisville Cardinals, Syracuse's 12-1 record was numerically impressive, but content challenged. A quick look revealed that their out-of-conference schedule wasn't particularly strenuous (the one loss was to UNC). Louisville, despite its coaching change, looked to continue to improve after last year's surge into the national polls.
In a surprise, Syracuse walked all over Louisville with a dominating 79-56 win, increasing its school record winning streak to 12.
Before you scoff, consider what head coach Quentin Hillsman has done in only his second year at the helm.
In 2005-06, Syracuse was 9-18 and a miserable 2-14 in the Big East. (Louisville beat'em 90-73 and 64-48). In June 2006, Keith Cieplicki, who'd been hired in the hopes of building the program into a national powerhouse, resigned after a stormy and unsuccessful tenure. Hillsman was named the interm coach for the 2006-07 season.
Hillsman notched a 9-20 record, but more importantly managed to bring so stability to the program and flex his impressive recruiting skills. The 2006 class included the Orange’s first two McDonald’s All-Americans, was ranked the 11th-best class in the county by All-Star Girls Report and the 13th-best according to Blue Star Basketball. It was easily Syracuse’s best recruiting class ever.
Last year Syracuse lost to Penn State 46-71. This year they won, 72-53. Last year, the Orange got stomped by Louisville, 50-98, and lost a second time 56-68. This year, they flipped the table.
This is not to claim that Syracuse is suddenly going to emerge as team that makes opponents take a deep breath before they walk on to the court. Basketball, like any sport, is fickle. Off nights, injuries, off-court distractions can derail any team.
But how can you not appreciate an athletic department that actively seeks to improve their women's basketball program and a coach that seems to be figuring out how to deliver?
Going into yesterday's match up with Big East Player of the Year Angel McCoughtry and the rest of the 11-2 Louisville Cardinals, Syracuse's 12-1 record was numerically impressive, but content challenged. A quick look revealed that their out-of-conference schedule wasn't particularly strenuous (the one loss was to UNC). Louisville, despite its coaching change, looked to continue to improve after last year's surge into the national polls.
In a surprise, Syracuse walked all over Louisville with a dominating 79-56 win, increasing its school record winning streak to 12.
Before you scoff, consider what head coach Quentin Hillsman has done in only his second year at the helm.
In 2005-06, Syracuse was 9-18 and a miserable 2-14 in the Big East. (Louisville beat'em 90-73 and 64-48). In June 2006, Keith Cieplicki, who'd been hired in the hopes of building the program into a national powerhouse, resigned after a stormy and unsuccessful tenure. Hillsman was named the interm coach for the 2006-07 season.
Hillsman notched a 9-20 record, but more importantly managed to bring so stability to the program and flex his impressive recruiting skills. The 2006 class included the Orange’s first two McDonald’s All-Americans, was ranked the 11th-best class in the county by All-Star Girls Report and the 13th-best according to Blue Star Basketball. It was easily Syracuse’s best recruiting class ever.
Last year Syracuse lost to Penn State 46-71. This year they won, 72-53. Last year, the Orange got stomped by Louisville, 50-98, and lost a second time 56-68. This year, they flipped the table.
This is not to claim that Syracuse is suddenly going to emerge as team that makes opponents take a deep breath before they walk on to the court. Basketball, like any sport, is fickle. Off nights, injuries, off-court distractions can derail any team.
But how can you not appreciate an athletic department that actively seeks to improve their women's basketball program and a coach that seems to be figuring out how to deliver?
posted by Helen at 8:41 AM
