OrangeHoops: 2015

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Hopkins Dilemma

Syracuse assistant head coach Mike Hopkins is in the middle of his head coaching assignment. He has guided the Orange to a 3-2 record during the first five games of head coach Jim Boeheim's 9 game suspension.

Hopkins has been put into a very difficult situation, one that I think he has handled well so far. The are four obstacles that he faces, and two of them really are no resolvable; he just needs to do the best he can.

First, Hopkins was given very little notice regarding the transition to being head coach. Hopkins and Jim Boeheim were preparing for a January transition; instead the NCAA sprung the news on the two of them about 48 hours before the Georgetown game. At that point, Hopkins and Boeheim were working off a plan to have 30 days to prepare for the situation, and with the busy week in the Bahamas for the Battle for Atlantis, along with the Wisconsin and Georgetown games, I am sure it was something the two of them were planning to really look into once the holiday season got closer.

Second, Jim Boeheim is allowed to have no contact with anyone associated with the Syracuse basketball program. Unfortunately that means that Hopkins does not have access to his mentor for guidance. He does not get to talk to the man who has guided his basketball life as a player and a coach for the past 25+ years. He doesn't get the opportunity to share the happy moments nor commiserate over the problems with the man who has been there for his basketball career.

Third, Hopkins has to run another coaches system. Fortunately for Hopkins, he is extremely familiar with Boeheim's system. He is very familiar with what Boeheim would want to be done, what work needs to be done with each player, and what Boeheim's hopes were for the players as the season progressed. Those are pluses for Hopkins. But, he must try to adhere to that system as much as he can because after nine games, Hopkins has to turn the team back over to Boeheim. Hopkins cannot introduce new theories to the team, or try to change how the team operates. He must stay the course that Jim Boeheim had set for the team.

The fourth obstacle may be the biggest. Hopkins has to be the head coach for 9 games and a month of time. He must behave as the head coach. BUT, after the suspension is done, he must return to being the assistant head coach. The relationship of the head coach to the players is different than the relationship of the assistant coaches to the players. The head coach runs the show, his instructions are absolute, and the players must toe the line that has been set.

The assistant coach helps the head coach carry out his plan. But the assistant is also a buffer between the head coach and the players. Assistants get to buddy up with the players, they are the avenue for the players to vent their frustrations. They are the individuals who work with the players one-on-one every day. It is a different relationship.

Hopkins cannot jump fully into the head coach mode, as he has to return to that assistant coach mode. He cannot change his relationship with the players on a short term basis; that would lead to dysfunction later in the season. He cannot really define himself as the head coach.

I think Hopkins has done well with the hand he has been dealt. This team is an inconsistent squad. The Georgetown game was destined to be a problem because of how the NCAA rolled out the suspension. The St. John's game was an embarrassment; however, we all knew there was the chance this team could lay an egg on any given game day. That game really has been the only game under Hopkins watch that was played poorly and ended poorly.

The one thing we do know is different is how Hopkins handles the press conferences. That was inevitable. Boeheim is a one-of-a-kind in the press conferences, with curmudgeon style, wry and dry humor, sarcasms, and cynicism with the media. Hopkins is significantly lighter in his tone, and appears more open. Of course, he doesn't have 40 years of baggage with him either.

Good luck to Hopkins. It will be interesting to see what his true coaching style is in a few years.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Happy Veterans Day 2015

On this Veterans day, as I have done each year past, I would like to thank all those who have served our country, putting their lives on the line to do those tasks that need to be done. The Orange basketball team has had its share of veterans over the decades. And has been tradition at OrangeHoops, I would like to recognize those former basketball Orangemen who did serve. I acknowledge this is not a complete list; only those I know of (each year I add a few more). I imagine more Orangemen were in the service that I am omitting; if so, please post a recognition here! Also please feel free to recognize any other veterans in the comments.

In World War I, the following served:
Albert Ackley
Bradley Barnard
Ross Bibbens
Meyer Bloom
Jim Casey
Ed Cronauer
Charles Fasce
Russ Finsterwald
Loyal Greenman
Ken Harris
Ted Huntley
Bernie Kates
Ken Lavin
Nathan Malefski
Danny Martin
Harry Martin
Walter ‘Dutch’ Notman
Walter Peters
Elias Raff
Billy Rafter
Horace Ruffin
Courtland Sanney
Clifford Steele

In World War II, the following served:
Jim Ackerson
Earl Ackley
Lou Alkoff
John Baldwin (Balsavich)
John Balinsky
John Beaulieu
John Beck
Gene Berger
Milton 'Whitey' Bock
Leo Canale
Dick Casey
Larry Crandall
Wilbur Crisp
Dan DiPace
Les Dye
Bud Elford
Alton Elliott
John Emerich
Bill Estoff
Bob Felasco
Paul Ferris
Billy Gabor
Ed Glacken
Joe Glacken
Marc Guley
Mark Haller
LaVerne Hastings
Lew Hayman
Bill Hennemuth
Bill Hoeppel
Tom Huggins
George Jarvis
Ed Jontos
Walter Kiebach
Jim Konstanty
Christian Kouray
Stan Kruse (Kruszewski)
Glenn Loucks
Guy Luciano
Saul Mariaschin
Bob Masterson
Paul McKee
Don McNaughton
Tom McTiernan
Francis Miller
Joe Minsavage
Andy Mogish
Roy Peters
Hank Piro
Paul Podbielski
Edward Pond
Phil Rakov
Joe Rigan
John Schroeder
Bill Schubert
Bob Shaddock
Wilmeth Sidat-Singh
Red Stanton
Mike Stark
Chester Stearns
Bobby Stewart
Joe Sylvestri
Charles Taggart
Ray Tice
Joe Weber
Ray Willmott
Bill Wyrick

In Korea the following served:
Reaves Baysinger, Jr
John Beaulieu
Bernie Eischen
Paul McKee
Paul Podbielski
Fred Serley

In Vietnam, the following served:
Reaves Baysinger, Jr
John Beaulieu
George Crofoot
Rick Dean
Sanford Salz

The following were veterans who served but were fortunate to miss a war era:
Vinnie Albanese
Art Barr
Mel Besdin
Rudy Cosentino
Roy Danforth
Ronnie Kilpatrick
George Koesters
Tom Jockle
Jack Malone
Frank Reddout
Eddie Rosen
Chuck Steveskey

Five of the aforementioned players deserve special note, as they sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Wilmeth Sidat-Singh was a member of the Tuskegee Airman, and was killed in a training accident when his plane crashed into Lake Michigan in 1943.

Charles Taggart was a member of the US Navy serving aboard the USS Frederick C. Davis, and was killed when his ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat on April 24, 1945. Taggart and 115 crew members perished.

Joe Minsavage was killed in World War II on June 19, 1943 when his ship was attacked and he was lost at sea.

Gene Berger was killed in 1961 during flight maneuvers. He was a Commander in the U.S. Navy and a Naval aviator, and his plane would crash into the Pacific.

Harry Martin was killed in 1923 when his plane crashed during takeoff at Kelley Field, Texas. He was a Lieutenant and an Army Aviator. Martin had served in the AEF in France in World War I.

Happy Veterans Day 2015

Five of the aforementioned players deserve special note, as they sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Wilmeth Sidat-Singh was a member of the Tuskegee Airman, and was killed in a training accident when his plane crashed into Lake Michigan in 1943.

Joe Minsavage was killed in World War II on June 19, 1943 when his ship was attacked and he was lost at sea.

Happy Veterans Day 2015

Five of the aforementioned players deserve special note, as they sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Wilmeth Sidat-Singh was a member of the Tuskegee Airman, and was killed in a training accident when his plane crashed into Lake Michigan in 1943.

Joe Minsavage was killed in World War II on June 19, 1943 when his ship was attacked and he was lost at sea.

Friday, November 06, 2015

Syracuse All-Star Teams by the State

Syracuse Orange basketball has drawn players from 29states; 14 of those states they have drawn 5 or more players, thus enough to form a basketball team. If you were to form a tournament playing those teams, which would be the best?

New York, by far, has the most players to draw from, with 344 players. The backcourt would be led by the dynamic Pearl Washington, and Greg Kohls would be his long range shooter by his side. John Wallace would carry the front line of the team, with Roosevelt Bouie the big man in the middle, and

Rudy Hackett on the other side. Adrian Autry could back up the Pearl at the point, or play the two guard, as could Dennis DuVal. The versatile Dale Shackleford would be a key reserve, and Danny Schayes would back up Bouie. Billy Gabor, Jonny Flynn… a lot of guard talent. More sharpshooters like Andy Rautins and Marty Headd. And of course, the greatest Syracuse player from the first half of the 20th century, Vic Hanson, would also be on the team.

The All New Jersey team (44 players) would be a decent squad. The backcourt would have Tyler Ennis and Dion Waiters, the forwards would be Rafael Addison and Keith Hughes, and Rick Dean would man the center position. There would be some depth in the backcourt with 50’s stars Jack Kiley and Ed Goldberg, along with forward Terrence Roberts. Newcomer Malachi Richardson may bring some excitement to the line.

The Pennsylvania team (43 players) would be led by Billy Owens at forward. Scoop Jardine and Gerry McNamara in the backcourt; Hakeem Warrick would lock down the other forward position and Rakeem Christmas would man the center position. Rick Jackson would be a versatile backup forward and center on the squad, and Tom Green the backup guard. If you could stop Scoop from having his Scoop moments, this would be quite a team. The front court of Owens-Warrick-Christmas would be a fantastic combination, and to have Rick Jackson as a reserve is just fantastic.

The Massachusetts team (23 players) star would be Michael Carter-Williams. Kaleb Joseph would join him in the backcourt. Paul Harris would play one forward and James Southerland the other. Center would be tough to fill with probably Tom Stundis and Peter Wynne having to rotate the position. The Massachusetts team would have a tough time scoring with Southerland the only true shooter on the team, and no real size in the front court.

The Connecticut team (17 players) would focus its offense around Dion Waiters (also on the New Jersey team). Larry Kelley would join him in the backcourt. Chris McCullough would be the star big man, which is somewhat daunting considering his limited time at Syracuse due to his injury and then going early to the NBA. Stan Richtmeyer, star in the 1920s, may be the big man with the best career of the bunch, though at 6’1”, he would play guard today, not forward. Eric Williams and Mark Meaders would have to help fill out the front line, both reserves in their Orangemen careers. Connecticut is definitely going to have some problems.

The Maryland team (14 players) despite having a small pool to pull from, would be very tough competition. It would of course start with Carmelo Anthony. You would have C.J. Fair or Jerami

Grant at the other forward, and Arinze Onuaku at center. You’d also have Donte Greene to come off the bench for some pure shooting. The backcourt would have Billy Edelin at the point, with sharp shooting Michael Brown as the shooting guard. And two very capable backup point guards in Michael Lloyd and Ernie Austin; in fact, I might start one of them over Brown.

We could catch a wave and go with the California team (13 players). There’s some strong defensive backcourt players with Jason Hart and Mike Hopkins; you could use Earl Duncan or Tony Bland if you wanted a little more offense. The front court would have twin towers in Rich Manning and LeRon Ellis, and the explosive Stephen Thompson would highlight the offense at the small forward position. This would be a strong defensive team with Hart, Hopkins and Thompson all known for strong defensive capabilities and two tall centers.

Team Virginia (11 players) actually has a lot of crossover with other states. They can also claim Carmelo Anthony for one forward position, and Arinze Onuaku at the center. Billy Edelin would be a guard and silent G Michael Gbinije at the shooting guard position. Baye Keita would be the third front court player, probably the only weak (relatively) spot on the court.

The Ohio team (10 players) does not have much to draw from. Louis Orr would be the star at forward, and Fred Saunders would hold down the other forward. J.B. Reafsnyder would be the center. LaSean Howard and Reaves Baysinger are probably the two best guards, and that would be stretch for this team to be competitive in today’s game.

The Michigan team (10 players) would have a backcourt of two Eric’s: Eric Devendorf and Erich Santifer. Derrick Coleman would be the star of the team, and obviously could play the power forward or center position. Todd Burgan and Wesley Johnson would be the other two forwards. James Thues could be the backup point guard. The toughest challenge for this team is the lack of a true point guard in the starting five (tough Devo could do it). It has perimeter shooter with Devo and Johnson, and guys who can drive to the hoop in Devo, Santifer Johnson and Burgan. Coleman could just dominate inside and from 15’ in.

New Hampshire (10 players), because of New Hampton Prep (4 players) becomes competitive. The top player would be Lawrence Moten, and you could have Chris McCullough and C.J. Fair join him on the front line. Kaleb Joseph and Ron Patterson would be the backcourt. If Tylor Lydon ends up playing well, he would be a valuable addition to the squad.

The District of Columbia (8 players) would have perhaps the strongest backcourt among all the states, including New York: Dave Bing and Sherman Douglas. Lawrence Moten would be one small forward and Kris Joseph the other. The weak spot would be center, and football star/basketball reserve Melvin Tuten would have to take that role (all 6’6” 300 lbs of him). This team would definitely be able to move the ball and run the court, and would be fun to watch play on offense. Defensively they would have some significant problems, but when you have three of the leading scorers in SU history on the same team (Bing, Douglas and Moten), things are going to happen on offense.

Florida (8 players) could field a team but it would have three true starters and then struggle to complete the lineup. Preston Shumpert would be the offensive star at guard/forward, and Chris McCullough and Fab Melo would handle the front court. Reserve guards Brandon Reese, Ray Balukas, Albert Nassar and Andrew Kouwe would have to fight it out for the two guard positions.

Indiana would be the last state that SU could field a team from (6 players). Kueth Duany would be the best player and would likely play the small forward position. Ron Patterson would be the point guard, and Chuck Wichman could join him in the backcourt. There would be no center, and Frank Hamblen and Don Degner would have to handle the other frontcourt positions.

If I were to rank the teams that you could build from these 14 states I would go: New York

New York
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Maryland
New Jersey
Virginia
District of Columbia
California
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Ohio
Florida
Indiana

In a round robin tournament with all 14 teams, I think New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Maryland would all have legitimate chances to win it all. I’d put my money on New York… just far too much talent to draw from, but the other three would be very strong.