SU rebounds, irks Boeheim
SYRACUSE — Jim Boeheim was disgusted with his team's performance.
That from a coach whose team had just beaten a big-time nonconference foe by 17 points.
From a glance, Syracuse's 74-57 victory over Memphis on Wednesday night in the Carrier Dome was a credit to the array of talent on this year's club. And perhaps the veteran Orange coach is simply trying to motivate his No. 7-ranked team to play a lot better than in recent outings.
Either way, it was a bounce-back performance just four days after SU suffered its first loss of the season versus Pittsburgh. The Orange (14-1) received tremendous second-half efforts from forwards Wes Johnson and Kris Joseph to outscore the Tigers (10-3) by 42-25 after the teams were deadlocked 32-32 at halftime.
Johnson netted 14 of his game-high 19 points in the final 20 minutes, while Joseph scored all 15 of his in the second half and grabbed nine rebounds after being saddled with three fouls the first half.
Yet, Boeheim was clearly frustrated. "I wasn't happy about anything I saw tonight. There is no explanation for all the turnovers. I can understand if it's early in the season. We've haven't played well in the last three or four games, and were probably lucky to win a couple of those."
The SU players weren't quite as discouraged as their veteran coach.
"Sure, we're disappointed with the stupid turnovers (10 the first half, 17 for the game)," said Johnson, who also grabbed seven rebounds. "But I think we calmed down the second half. We played more relaxed and a lot more under control."
Said Joseph: "Every win is not going to be pretty. Sometimes you just have to grind it out and do what you have to pick up the W."
First-year Memphis coach Josh Pastner, a former assistant under John Calipari, disagreed with Boeheim's assessment of the Orange.
"They are a legitimate top 10 team with a shot to make the Final Four," Pastner said. "Jim's club has size, quickness, and the ability to get big plays from a lot of different players. The key for me is they got a lot of the 50-50 balls that they didn't get after watching the Pitt tape."
Memphis stayed close the first half mainly because Robert Sallie hit all four 3-pointers, and the Tigers went 7-for-15 from 3-point range. They also scored 14 points off 10 SU turnovers.
On offense, SU was sluggish against the Memphis zone, and only went to the locker room tied when Andy Rautins drilled a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
The Orange was clinging to a 42-39 second-half lead when a wild sequence turned the momentum completely in SU's favor.
Rautins made a careless turnover right in front of Boeheim, and the coach took off his jacket and tossed it to the ground.
Elliott Williams of Memphis picked up the loose ball, and went flying down the court for a solo dunk. However, his jam shot bounced high off the rim to SU's Rick Jackson.
Joseph was fouled and converted two free throws on the ensuing SU possession. That started an eventual 11-1 run to help the Orange finally pull away from the pesky Tigers.
"That was pure luck," Boeheim said. "I'm just glad I was looking the other way. We made a couple of big plays at key times, that's all it was. They didn't attack us as well the second half, and we got a few lucky bounces."
Joseph and Johnson were especially strong down the stretch. Joseph scored 13 of his points in the final 91/2 minutes, while Johnson netted 12, including 6-for-6 at the foul line.
"Despite the fouls, I wanted to stay aggressive (the second half)," said Joseph, who produced his 10th double-digit performance off the bench. "That means taking it strong to the hoop, but under control."
SU's zone was also more active the second half. Sallie made just a single 3-pointer in three attempts, finishing with 17 points, and the Tigers converted only 2-for-13 from behind the arc.
"Our effort was better than against Pitt," said Rautins, who had 11 points. "But we have to start taking care of the ball better and not give up so many possessions."
SU next hosts South Florida on Sunday.
