Oklahoma vs. Syracuse: Fan vs. Fan

[JKneis]

Bleacher Report has a series going on for the Sweet 16, where a top writer from each of the two teams playing in one of the games and give their biased opinion on how they think their team will do. It is definitely a unique write-up that I hope you may like.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/145243-creature-vs-creature-oklahoma-sooners-vs-syracuse-orange

[soonerfan28]

I got this from betfirm.com. It was the only thing I've been able to find so far that has a player-player comparison.


The Oklahoma Sooners get ready to face one of the nations hottest teams in Syracuse. This in my opinion is the most even of all the Sweet Sixteen games. The Sooners are led by the best player in college basketball period, Blake Griffin. The future 1st overall pick in this summers NBA Draft will be counted on by his team for his usual big game dominance. They will need it now more then ever as they face a very big and strong Syracuse team. Taylor Griffin will also be counted on in a big way to shut down high rising forward Rick Jackson. That will be a very physical match up. Now, to the guards for these teams. There will be talent everywhere you turn. The Freshman Phenom Willie Warren puts in 15 points and collects 3 assists per game while Tony Crocker and Austin Johnson are key shooters and defenders for this team. Jonny Flynn may very well be the most explosive point guard in the country for the Orange averaging 17 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assist per game along side senior leader Eric Devendorf who averages 15 points and three point specialist Andy Rautins who puts in 10 points per game off the bench. When you break down the statistics for this game, as I did, you would see how bad of a draw Oklahoma is for The Cuse. While Syracuse averages only a single point per game more then Oklahoma, The Sooners shoot better from the field and from the free throw line while also giving up less points against and having a slight edge in rebounding. Syracuse has beaten Stephen F. Austin and Arizona State while their counter-part Oklahoma defeated Morgan State and Michigan. Both teams have won their two games by double digits in each. Below I will break down who has the edge per position. For anyone who wants to bet on NCAA basketball, the college basketball odds on the game are Oklahoma -1 over Syracuse with the total placed at 154 points.

Point Guard: Jonny Flynn vs Austin Johnson (EDGE-SYRACUSE) While Johnson has been superb for Oklahoma as he contributes in just about every statistical category, Flynn has emerged as not only in my mind the nations premier point guard, but one of the best players.. However, I do feel Johnson will play him well.

Shooting Guard: Eric Devendorf vs Willie Warren (EDGE-OKLAHOMA) Devendorf is a senior leader with experience and big game pedigree. He will be going up against what I see is the worst possible match up for him out of any shooting guard in the land. The fabulous freshman Warren is an explosive combo guard who starts at the SG spot. He can shoot, run the court and will be way to fast for Devendorf. Bad situation here for the Cuse.

Small Forward: Paul Harris vs Tony Crocker (EDGE-EVEN) The most even match up of them all. Harris is a better defender while Crocker is a better shooter. Harris is more athletic and stronger while Crocker has much better vertical movement and his footwork is smoother. They both are key parts to their teams success because when they play well its an extra weapon. Dead even here I have it.

Power Forward: Rick Jackson vs Taylor Griffin (EDGE-OKLAHOMA) Jackson has been playing big time ball for Syracuse. He had 13 points and 8 rebounds against Arizona State which was a big boost, but similar to Devendorf vs Warren, this is an awful match up vs Taylor Griffin who can shoot from the perimeter. Syracuse could find their zone to be rather ineffective if Taylor is shooting well. Jackson can not defend outside the paint. Dangerous match up for Cuse again as I don’t see Taylor Griffin having a hard time keeping Jackson off the offensive boards.

Center: Arinze Onuaku vs Blake Griffin (EDGE-OKLAHOMA) Onuaku is a very strong and tough big man who is powerful like an ox. In this game, it wont mean a darn thing. Blake will be able to body him, Onuaku has no shot to do anything productive against Blake on the defensive end. Blake Griffin will get him into foul trouble early, then whoever Boheim brings in will be ineffective. The athletic, strong, talented and smart player of the year in Griffin drives Arinze wild in this aspect.

[Boomer.....]

3-1-1

I like our chances.

[ouwapiti]

i like it but the intangibles scare me....i.e.... tournament/coaching experience, east coast bias officiating

[badger]

A co-worker Syracuse fan at work and I are having a shirt bet - loser buys the winner the winner's team's final four shirt :D

(plz don't point out the fallacy in such thinkin' we've already covered that)

[tommieharris91]

East coast bias? :confused: How does east coast bias affect what goes on on the court?

[Sooner04]

A co-worker Syracuse fan at work and I are having a shirt bet - loser buys the winner the winner's team's final four shirt
What if neither team reaches the Final Four?

[badger]

What if neither team reaches the Final Four?

(plz don't point out the fallacy in such thinkin' we've already covered that)

[Sooner04]

Where was it covered?

[badger]

Where was it covered?

Wow, you're quite persistent, aren't you 04?

This Syracuse fan is a diehard Syracuse fan who does not think of the possibility of Syracuse failing to make the Final Four, much like I, as a diehard Sooners fan, do not consider not making the Final Four a possibility at this point. Thus, we've agreed that we are going to get the other a Final Four shirt and have mutually agreed to not consider any other possibility, like UNC, for example.

As stated, you don't have to point out the fallacy of such thinking - we've both agreed that neither of us want to think about that.

See, usually you don't like it when I explain things too thoroughly here, so I didn't think anyone cared about the mundane details of a little shirt bet. But hey, this poor board dies when neither team plays for a few days during rainy afternoons, it seems, so what the heck - we, meaning the Syracuse fan and I, have covered the possibility of an Elite 8 ouster and agreed that it's not even going to be mentioned. If it does happen to him, however, I'll probably get him one of those ghey "Marathon Men" shirts that the Cuse fans printed up before getting ousted in the Big East tourney in jest... and vengeance :D

[Sooner04]

A buddy of mine and I had a standing bet on the OU/Texas game for years. Loser pays the winner a US Grant. $50. No questions asked come Monday morning, just the switching of a Grant from one hand to the other.

Yours comes across as amateur hour. If neither makes the Final Four, what happens? Chaos reigns. What if Devendorf is beating the **** out of some girl outside the Rendezvous and gets hit by a bus? Does he call it off on account of principle? What if somebody has a slab or ribs and comes down with plague?

There can be no wiggle room in a solid bet. No T-shirts and no avatars. Cash. Cold, hard cash. No gloating, no whooping from the heavens. Just pay the winner the money. Add more variables than that and you go to the grave carrying a grudge over an unpaid debt.

It's risky, risky business.

[badger]

It should come across as "amateur hour," because I don't regularly gamble... or even bet. This is merely a friendly way of avoiding the inevitable trash talk leading up to the game. Our desks are next to each other, we even face each other. He endlessly talks about Syracuse during most of basketball season. We simply said "loser buys the winner a final four shirt" and that keeps the rivalry quiet. However, I still get to hear all about how well his bracket it doing :rolleyes:

There will be much gloating and whooping after the game regardless. The entire office is giving my co-worker trash because he's the only Syracuse fan within a 500 mile radius (give or take).

So anyways, there will be no grudges afterwards, no matter how amateur the bet. We're just having fun, not out to make money (or grants, heh). I've never held Lid's or Herr's longhorn logo avvies against them, much like they've taken their OU avvies in good humor.

I just don't hold grudges. I mean, you've trashed my posts in the past, yet here I am talking about my petty little bets with ya. If I can get away with discussing women's basketball here without references to your kingdom then hell, we'll be perfectly cordial! Let's go out for beer! ;)

I can assure you no chaos will reign. It's just a t-shirt.

[Sooner04]

Suit yourself. I prefer the closure that comes with putting money in my pocket.

[badger]

Suit yourself. I prefer the closure that comes with putting money in my pocket.

Fair enough. If you're really into moneying it up this game, I hear from a co-worker that Vegas is taking lots of Cuse bets because they know the Orange are relying on 3 shooting this game. Going the other way for OU might a sure money maker... but again, I dunno, I don't gamble.

[IronHorseSooner]

While I agree that the match-up is EVEN between Crock and Harris, I don't agree with the assessment. Crock is a better defender, and Harris is better offensively.

[the_ouskull]

Air Bud is better offensively...

the_ouskull

[theresonly1OU]

It should come across as "amateur hour," because I don't regularly gamble... or even bet. This is merely a friendly way of avoiding the inevitable trash talk leading up to the game. Our desks are next to each other, we even face each other. He endlessly talks about Syracuse during most of basketball season. We simply said "loser buys the winner a final four shirt" and that keeps the rivalry quiet. However, I still get to hear all about how well his bracket it doing :rolleyes:

There will be much gloating and whooping after the game regardless. The entire office is giving my co-worker trash because he's the only Syracuse fan within a 500 mile radius (give or take).

So anyways, there will be no grudges afterwards, no matter how amateur the bet. We're just having fun, not out to make money (or grants, heh). I've never held Lid's or Herr's longhorn logo avvies against them, much like they've taken their OU avvies in good humor.

I just don't hold grudges. I mean, you've trashed my posts in the past, yet here I am talking about my petty little bets with ya. If I can get away with discussing women's basketball here without references to your kingdom then hell, we'll be perfectly cordial! Let's go out for beer! ;)

I can assure you no chaos will reign. It's just a t-shirt.

Besides, he's talking about betting on the outcome of his favorite team's performance in one game, you're talking about betting on the outcome of a your teams performance in a tournament in which your team is participating. Of course the terms of the bet would be different.

Also, who the **** cares what or how you bet one of your co-workers? I for one think betting a final four shirt is an awesome idea. In fact, I've got a Jayhawk fan at my work that I will probably bring this up to.

To each their own.

[badger]

Seriously, it's all in fun. I know my bets are not that professional, but I don't care either. I'd much rather never take betting too seriously.

[CuseFan]

Edge Willie Warren over Eric Devendorf.
I don't think I laughed harder at a player analysis then I did at that one. Taylor Griffin over Rick Jackson too? Are you kidding me? This is all wishful thinking and what you hope for. This is not reality. At best, Taylor Griffin is even with Jackson, but he DOES NOT get the edge here. Jackson would get an edge IMHO. Give me a break guys. Let them play the game and watch how Cuse plays a smart, gritty game, not allowing OU to dictate or take control of any facet of the game. You have no idea what your up against. Enjoy your Purdue win, your only big win of the year, which required a staggering 46-5 free throw advantage to do so!

Orange crush: Cuse 74 Oklahoma 65

[CuseFan]

Actual player comparison:

Point Guard: Jonny Flynn vs Austin Johnson (EDGE-SYRACUSE) While Johnson has been superb for Oklahoma as he contributes in just about every statistical category, Flynn has emerged as not only in my mind the nations premier point guard, but one of the best players.. Johnson will not be quick enough to handle Flynn as Flynn has the ability to break most players ankles off the dribble. Johnson is no more special than any of the point guards Flynn has embarrassed this season.

Shooting Guard: Eric Devendorf vs Willie Warren (EDGE-SYRACUSE) Devendorf is a senior leader with experience and big game pedigree. That is all that needs to be said. Warren is a freshman, who on one hand has proven he can run Oklahoma's offense, on the other hand has not proven he can win the big game. Devendorf is clutch, has experience, and can really ruffle Warren's feathers with some serious trash talk. Sorry, but I go with the senior leadership here, and not an unproven freshman who will be forced to shoot more than he's ever dreamed of. Warren has not faced a zone like this, and will not be prepared for it. Edge Devendorf.

Small Forward: Paul Harris vs Tony Crocker (EDGE-SYRACUSE) In a matchup like this, I go with athleticism. Defense and rebounding trumps scoring here. Syracuse does not look for much offense out of Harris. Syracuse looks for rebounding and defense from him. From a purely matchup standpoint, the edge should go to Harris simply for his intangibles. Harris is much more athletic, and will have a more profound effect on the outcome of this game than Johnson.

Power Forward: Rick Jackson vs Taylor Griffin (EDGE-SYRACUSE) Jackson has been playing big time ball for Syracuse. He had 13 points and 8 rebounds against Arizona State which was a big boost. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the prior assessment between these two centered on a man-to-man scenario. Who will produce more for his team? Taylor or Rick? Taylor is not known for his finishing near the basket. Jackson is. Jackson boasts several moves near the basket, has displayed exceptional shot blocking ability, and can rebound with the best of them. Taylor Griffin's previous assessment says he can shoot a mid-range jumper. Great, so can a lot of players, but does that make him a game changer in this one? No. It makes him another casualty of the zone. Let him take that mid-range jumper, he'll need to make a lot of them to beat Syracuse. Does the ability to take a mid-range jumper make him better than Jackson, who has the ability to get his defender in the air, or to spin around him to the basket? No. Again, the zone takes care of people like Taylor Griffin.

Center: Arinze Onuaku vs Blake Griffin (EDGE-OKLAHOMA) Onuaku is a very strong and tough big man who is powerful like an ox. In this game, it wont mean a darn thing. Blake will be able to body him, and hope to draw fouls from Onuaku. Boeheim will have his players prepared for this. Blake will get double and triple teams and will see a lot of swipes at the ball from guards when he touches it. Griffin averages over 3 turnovers a game. He will get his points and rebounds and has the advantage over Onuaku, obviously, but it will come while being forced to take many shots out of his element against the zone.


There's a more accurate assessment for you boys and girls.

[CuseFan]

Enjoy Sooner fans: this is what you'll be facing tonight...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmgIPGy0zOE&feature=related

[badger]

Well, as long as your men's team, unlike your women's team, doesn't attempt to trip opposing coaches after devastating losses (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nB5NWHhbw8), no worries.

It's not like Syracuse has any other sports (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JKSEKUL8BI) to fall back on... well, ones everyone cares about.

[theresonly1OU]

Hey, CuseFan, let me introduce you to someone.

His friends call him Blake, but you can call him Mr. Griffin.

Enjoy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kca4Oej7Pz0).

He's got a brother, Taylor, who does things this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX6aSEZWsnM) when you concentrate too much on his little bro:

And a friend and FOTY candidate who likes to do this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68C9L4SPud8)to big guys:


Any questions?

[badger]

Helping a Sooner buddy out:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kca4Oej7Pz0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kca4Oej7Pz0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RX6aSEZWsnM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RX6aSEZWsnM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/68C9L4SPud8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/68C9L4SPud8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[theresonly1OU]

Helping a Sooner buddy out:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kca4Oej7Pz0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kca4Oej7Pz0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RX6aSEZWsnM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RX6aSEZWsnM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/68C9L4SPud8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/68C9L4SPud8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


Thanks.

[CuseFan]

Hey, CuseFan, let me introduce you to someone.

His friends call him Blake, but you can call him Mr. Griffin.

Enjoy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kca4Oej7Pz0).

He's got a brother, Taylor, who does things this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX6aSEZWsnM) when you concentrate too much on his little bro:

And a friend and FOTY candidate who likes to do this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68C9L4SPud8)to big guys:


Any questions?


Yea, question. How did you go 4-4 in your last 8?

[theresonly1OU]

Yea, question. How did you go 4-4 in your last 8?

The same way you got beat by Cleveland State and Providence. It happens.

[CuseFan]

The same way you got beat by Cleveland State and Providence. It happens.

You mean when the guy hit a 3 quarter court shot to win it? The same team that beat Wake Forest last week, which has 3 1st round NBA picks? Oh and the Providence game, when half the team was injured and out? Those games? Or are we talking about the last like 8 games, which is more indicative of reality? I'm confused here, are we grasping for straws?

[CincySooner]

Yea, question. How did you go 4-4 in your last 8?

The same way Syracuse goes 0-1 this weekend.

[TopDawg]

Are you kidding me? This is all wishful thinking and what you hope for.

Says the 'Cuse fan about the betting service analysis.

[TopDawg]

You mean when the guy hit a 3 quarter court shot to win it? The same team that beat Wake Forest last week, which has 3 1st round NBA picks? Oh and the Providence game, when half the team was injured and out? Those games? Or are we talking about the last like 8 games, which is more indicative of reality? I'm confused here, are we grasping for straws?

Well if injuries don't count and opponent's tournament performance is justification, then you can't count the Texas and Kansas games because of Blake's injury. That means that we've lost on the road to Missouri (Elite Eight) and against OSU (who took Pitt to the limit) at a neutral site (after having previously beaten them twice).

So, yes, it appears you are grasping for straws.

[John Kochtoston]

Eric Devendorf is Cade Davis with a better point guard feeding him the ball.

Comparing Willie Warren to Eric Devendorf is like comparing ice cream to horse manure.

[theresonly1OU]

Eric Devendorf is Cade Davis with a better point guard feeding him the ball.

Comparing Willie Warren to Eric Devendorf is like comparing ice cream to horse manure.

...if Cade had prison tats, and a propensity towards bitch-slapping defenseless women.

[badger]

Foreshadow?

The Cuse fan co-worker and I that have the t-shirt bet going played chess during our lunch hour. I commented about the many chess allusions that were present - how his pawn structure was Cuse's zone defense and that my fast moving style was like Blake Griffin's dunking - efficient and quick, while his slow moving style was like Cuse's 3's, which required more time to setup screens for.

Cuse's zone fell three games straight because of uneven exchanges. When he would get a pawn, I'd get a bishop or knight. I foresee this meaning that OU will convert 3-point plays off fouls, while Cuse will settle for two points here without the extra free throw.

More importantly, I foresee this as uber win for OU. :)

[JLEW1818]

IS THIS THE OFFICIAL GAME THREAD, OR IS SOMEBODY MAKING ONE/??? IF NOT, BADGER GET ON IT!!!!

BOOMER

[C&CDean]

No ****. I've got a computern at the hizzouse tonight.

[JLEW1818]

make a thread!!! hurry ... lol

[C&CDean]

make a thread?? How the **** do you do that?

[JLEW1818]

lol

[Sooner04]

Enjoy your Purdue win, your only big win of the year, which required a staggering 46-5 free throw advantage to do so!
In my opinion, we still only have one quality win. Syracuse, as is usually the case, was the most overrated seed of the tournament.

They weren't worth a damn, and were dominated from start to finish tonight.

[badger]

ELITE 8 SPEK!!!!!!!!

[TopDawg]

They weren't worth a damn, and were dominated from start to finish tonight.

To be fair, they were without one of their best players.




Oh, wait, Devendorf was in the game?

[sooneron]

Would someone please un-ban the turd that is ex'cuse fan?