Rautins earning respect
As Andy Rautins was draining 3-pointers, the Carrier Dome fans stood in unison and gave the former Jamesville-DeWitt star a standing ovation.
Just a few years ago, a majority of SU fans thought Rautins would never make an impact on the Orange program, let alone play a starring role for one of Jim Boeheim's best teams. In a survey done when Rautins signed on with the Orange, less than 5 percent of those responding thought Rautins would ever make an impact at SU, and that he would eventually be forced to transfer to a lower Division I program.
Rautins won't ever say, "I told you so,'' when reminded of those skeptics. All he will say on the subject is, "They have their opinion and that's OK with me. If I was a Syracuse fan back then, I probably would have been skeptical as well for a skinny kid who didn't look like a big-time college basketball player.''
These days, instead of being known mainly as former SU star Leo Rautins's son, Andy has established his niche as one of the country's premier shooters. But it's his unexpected toughness, his passing ability and underappreciated defensive prowess that has impressed head coach Jim Boeheim the most.
"Most shooters are just that. They don't or can't do much else,'' said Boeheim. "But I've always thought Andy was a terrific defender and a great passer. He's become a very good all-around player, and other teams now know that he's not just on the team because he can make 3-pointers.''
When no other big-time school offered Rautins a scholarship out of high school, Boeheim asked Rautins to join the Orange.
"We don't waste scholarships on kids that can't play,'' Boeheim has said. "Anybody who thinks otherwise is an idiot.''
Rautins heard all the naysayers when he signed with SU. "They thought I was just riding my dad's coattails and I got a scholarship because of him.''
Those skeptics-turned-supporters can breathe a sigh of relief after Wednesday's scare in a game at Georgetown.
Rautins, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury, suffered a bruised knee early in Wednesday's game and did not play again. However, the ACL was not reinjured, and Rautins should be ready to go when the Orange host Notre Dame on Saturday.
Although Rautins was first-team all-state and All-Central New York honoree at Jamesville-DeWitt, he wasn't considered a top-rate prospect. Most people thought he probably would end up at prep school, or some place where he could play right away, like Binghamton or Albany.
But Rautins's heart was set on SU. "Not just because of my dad, but because I've been a fan of theirs all of my life. I like the way they play, the atmosphere at the Carrier Dome and their reputation around the country.''
Rautins played just 20 games as a freshman and did not have much of an impact, averaging just 2.9 points per game. As a sophomore, in 35 games he averaged 7.2 points and became one of the team's top outside threats.
But just when his star was rising high, he suffered the ACL injury in the summer of 2007.
After a year of rehab, Rautins began this season slowly before hitting his stride just before Christmas against Coppin State when he tied a school record with nine 3-point baskets. He has started the last seven games, and is averaging 10.6 points overall and 12 in conference play.
"I always believed I could play here and contribute,'' Rautins said. "All I ever needed was an opportunity.''
Backcourt mate Jonny Flynn said of Rautins, "Andy's a lot tougher than he looks. And he's got the sweetest stroke I've ever seen. I don't think he ever misses a shot in practice.''
When Rautins was struggling with his shooting, fans began wondering if the knee injury would set him back permanently. His play of late (averaging nearly 20 points over a five-game stretch) has silenced that talk.
"He's become an integral part of our team, on offense and defense,'' said SU's Paul Harris. "I'd hate to think where we'd be without him.''
Rautins suffered a bruised knee early in Wednesday's game at Georgetown and did not play again. However, the ACL was not reinjured, and Rautins should be ready to go when the Orange host Notre Dame on Saturday.
PLAYERS RELISH TOUGH STRETCH
While SU coach Jim Boeheim and his assistants are plotting how to handle the Orange's brutal 10-game Big East Conference stretch over the next month, the players can't wait to prove themselves against the best in the country.
After its loss on Wednesday at No. 13 Georgetown, the Orange plays seven teams ranked in the AP Top 25 until Feb. 22. Notre Dame, ranked 12th, comes to the Dome on Saturday, followed by games Monday at No. 1 Pittsburgh, Jan. 25 at home against No. 20 Louisville, Feb. 7 at No. 23 Villanova, Feb. 11 at No. 4 Connecticut, Feb. 14 at home versus Georgetown and finally a home matchup with Villanova.
The only games during that span against unranked opponents are Jan. 28 at Providence, off to a 3-1 conference start, and Feb. 4 at West Virginia, which has been ranked this season.
"This is why you come to a school like Syracuse because you want to play against the best competition,'' said sophomore guard Jonny Flynn. "We know it's going to be a tough. But it will also makes us better for what is to come down the road.''
Junior center Arinze Onuaku said the stiff competition "should bring out the best in this team. We've shown it in stretches. Now we know we can't let down for a second against this kind of schedule.''
Many observers have said they think beating each other up during the conference season will hurt the Big East teams more than help them when the postseason arrives. But the SU players beg to differ.
"If you can hold your own against that kind of schedule, you can play with anybody in the country,'' said SU's Paul Harris. "Personally, I love that kind of challenge. It means you're going to be tested to the limit every night, and that anything but your 'A' game won't be enough.''
HARRIS, ONGENAET HONORED
SU's Paul Harris made the Big East honor roll for the second time this season. The junior from Niagara Falls averaged 20 points and 7.5 rebounds, and shot 68 percent from the field in a 2-0 week for the Orange.
Senior Kristof Ongenaet is the SU male scholar-athlete of the week for the week of Jan. 12. He is an international relations major from Ghent, Belgium.
Orange junior center Arinze Onuaku was the scholar-athlete of the week for the week of Jan. 5.
GREEN SPARKLES IN DEBUT
Former SU standout Donte Greene had a big game in his NBA Development League debut with the Reno Bighorns.
Sent down by the NBA Sacramento Kings after averaging 4.5 points in 24 games, Greene scored 26 points, grabbed five rebounds and had four blocks in his debut last Saturday against Bakersfield.
Reno teammates include ex-Orange players Damone Brown and Gerry McNamara. McNamara scored six points and had six assists in his first game with Reno.
John Day covers Syracuse University basketball for the Times.
