Syracuse Columbia First Half Observations

• Columbia is a better team than most people would give them credit for. They shoot the basketball very well.
• That was not a very consistent half for the Orange. They played well in spurts. But were off at other times as well.
• Although its only a nine-point game, it sure seems like it is totally under control.
• Syracuse didn't get any real contribution off the bench. Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine each provided minutes but didn't really provide any lift.
• Interesting that after Mookie Jones' public outburst he garned a few minutes of play in the first half. He didn't do anything, but he was active on the two or three defensive possessions he was on the floor. Still, I don't think the minute and a half he got is going to satisfy his need to play.
• I thought that the Orange settled for jump shots too often. Not that they weren't open shots. But shots were taken when one additional pass might have led to a better opportunity.
• Syracuse shot 52% per the halftime stats, you'd think that would produce more than a nine-point halftime lead against Columbia but that hasn't been the case as of yet.
• I think the second half will lead to much of the same, except I think the Orange might get one big run about midway through it where they really extend the lead and push it to like 25 allowing Southerland, Jones and Riley to get some minutes the last five or six minutes of the game.