SU takes on an improved South Florida team tomorrow at high noon in the Carrier Dome in what should be a very interesting match up of big men. However, before we get started on that subject, 5 years ago if you told me South Florida would DOMINATE SU in football and pose a threat to SU on the basketball court I would have inquired into the length of the bus you took to school and walked away, it's funny how things work out.
Back to our regularly scheduled program - Arinze Onuaku and Kentrell Gransberry represent more than 500 pounds of skill and size in the post and this idiot is eager to see how the match up develops. Onuaku has exceeded all expectations so far this season, averaging 14.4 points and 7.9 boards per game. Gransberry established himself last year as a force to be reckoned with in the low post and is currently averaging 15.2 points and 11.5 boards.
It will be real test for Arinze and a measuring stick on how far he's come. It's nice to dominate St. John's, but a good performance against a legit guy like Gransberry will confirm what we think we already know - that the big fella is for real. He will also be tested defensively, as Syracuse has not faced many teams this season who possess true low post scoring threats. I expect Syracuse to start in zone and switch to man on an "as-needed" basis, because the foul situation will be a huge factor in this game. If AO gets in trouble, Rick Jackson isn't strong enough to contain the big fella and if disaster strikes and Sean Williams has to enter the game - turn away (or break out the Billy Celuck jokes).
My fellow idiots can attest to the fact that I've always been partial to guys who let it fly from way downtown (you know, the skinny, one dimensional Dell Curry types) however I'm really looking forward to watching these two big guys go at each other tomorrow.
Russianator Prediction - Syracuse 77 USF 71
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