MBB | Ten-day break comes at perfect time for banged up No. 16 Orange

By: Michael Bonner

Posted: 12/5/08

Andy Rautins sat near his locker with two large ice packs around his knees, minutes after Syracuse had overcome a 16-point deficit against Cornell.

The No. 16 Orange had just completed a stretch of eight games in 19 days. Three of its last four contests involved double-digit comebacks by Syracuse.

Now, it appears SU can finally rest. The Orange is free to enjoy a 10-day break, its largest of the year, before it resumes play Dec. 13 against Long Beach State.

"We do need a couple days off," freshman forward Kris Joseph said. "The stretch we've had has been tough. We've had a lot of tough games."

After the break, it's back to business as usual for Syracuse (8-0). It will begin a stretch of five games over ten days, during which Long Beach State, Cleveland State and Canisius come to the Dome. SU caps off the span with an unusual non-conference road trip to Memphis to play the No. 18 Tigers.

The Orange returns home for Coppin State Dec. 22 for its final tune-up before Big East play begins.

Syracuse will have an eight-day layoff before conference commences. It's a lot of time off, but with the recent hectic schedule, it's time the Orange needs to improve.

"We haven't had many practice days," Boeheim said. "Obviously with so many games we have to take some days off now to make up for last week but we will have practice before we get to the 13th."

The timing of this 10-day break isn't abnormal. Most college basketball teams also don't play because of finals around this time. It can be stressful balancing exams and practice.

"It's the worst," sophomore point guard Jonny Flynn said. "Studying for exams, worried about exams, then you have to go worry about practice. I'm going to be happy when it's done, it feels good though going into it 8-0."

Even without the perfect start to the season, the break gives the team a rare opportunity to improve upon its game in season. There are many stretches during conference play when SU will have extended time off. Its largest break is six days.

"This is going to be a good time for us to get better," Flynn said. "It's one of the only times in the season with a long break like this for us to get better."

Fatigue has started to emerge for Syracuse during its stretch. Playing schools from the top conferences in the nation like the Southeastern Conference, the Big XII and the ACC, players can get banged up.

Even the mid-major opponents haven't been easy. The Big Red was a preseason favorite to win the Ivy League, and Oakland came off a road win at Pac-10 opponent Oregon.

"I definitely need some rest," Joseph said. "My knees are hurting, so I think the rest is going to do not only me but everyone some good. I'm looking forward to it."

The break should rejuvenate a team that will likely be favored in every game but its affair with the Tigers. If Syracuse holds serve in the games it's favored it will by 16-1 heading into Big East play.

For now, the Orange won't look too far into the future and enjoy some much-needed time off.

"We do need a couple days off," Boeheim said. "The stretch we've had has been tough; we've had a lot of tough games."

mibonner@syr.edu