I second what Sean said:
On paper, Devo had a good game with 20 points and 5 assists. Though it should be noted that Devo had one of the most frustrating games I’ve ever watched as a fan. Devo seems to have decided that he is the heart and soul of the team and must them on his back any time the momentum is against them. It’s simply not true and Devo only plays more erratically and off-balance in that mindset. It’s the kind of game-playing that will catch up with him and the Orange…he won’t always have Flynn, Harris, A.O. and Rautins there to cover for him. His ego needs to be put in check and fast. He’s going to cost the Orange games otherwise.
Devendorf made two of seven two-pointers last night. He made two of six twos on Monday against Florida. Obviously his long-range accuracy has been off so far this season, and under other circumstances I would be fine with that. Shooters don’t break slumps by passing the ball, after all. But his awful performance closer to the basket suggests he’s playing out of control. He needs to accept that he’s a role-player on this team and play within himself. If he doesn’t, Sean is right: We will lose games because of him.
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OK - here comes the blasphemy…
I don’t like Devo, and never have. Despite his occasional flashes of brilliance, he has always frustrated me with his lack of vision and, when things are going poorly, his terrible shot selection. I thought that now that we have a potent offensive TEAM that we would forgo the three-point shot without first trying to set up a play or use some clock (Rautins excluded). His breakaway in the first half - a one on two (with both defenders already in the paint) was a prime example of his shortcomings - the result - he was stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. I suck at basketball, but I also know when I’m overmatched.
If this team can get the ball moving fluidly on the offensive side of the court, and avoid costly turnovers (I can’t stress this enough), then I concur with the Syracusan’s earlier assertion that SU can be a… ”really, really fucking good [team] this year.”
The worst part of it is, after the dismal showing in the first half, combined with me loosing my voice from shouting at the TV, and the inane monkey-in-a-tree dribble coming out of DV’s mouth, I didn’t even watch the second half. Thank goodness for the DVR.
M
In the 1st half SU shot 9-26,(34.6%). Jonny Flynn’s stats in the 1st half 1-5 shooting 3 turnovers 0 assists. Devendorf was 3-11 with
2 threes 3 assists 1 turnover. SU had 10 turnovers in the 1st half, Devo had 1. As well as Flynn played in the 2nd half,he was terrible in the 1st half. Devo had 11 of SU’s 30 first half points,with Flynn playing poorly and Arinze getting pushed away from basket and double teamed Devo was forced to take a couple of bad shots. Devo’s 11th point of the half pulled SU within 3 (31-28) . The half ended with a Rautins following a shooter taking a three (made all 3 Ft’s) and a Flynn turnover for a deuce. So seems to me like Devo played as well as anyone but Arinze in the 1st half. Hmmm maybe Devo stunk in the 2nd half. His stats were 2-4 shooting for 9 points 2 assists and 2 turnovers.He played all 25 minutes of the 2nd half, decent defense and made a gorgeous pass on the pick and roll to open the overtime period. Even though Flynn was fantastic in the 2nd half,how many times did Arinze fly open on the pick and roll with Jonny in the first half only to come up empty.Jonny’s a great player but maybe he should of passed to the 80% shooting Arinze. Surely he seen a man as wide open as our big boy. Did Devo have a great game? No. Did he have a good game? Absolutely. Is he a first class jerk off the court? It seems so.
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