Pitarresi: Two big wins for SU basketball

 

Two things:

 

Syracuse University’s basketball team is for real, and Jonny Flynn definitely is one of the best point guards in the nation.

 

SU’s victories over Florida and Kansas in the Reilly Autoparts tournament Monday and Tuesday in Kansas City should have pretty much convinced everyone that the Orange have the stuff to compete at the top of the Big East. The win over defending national champion Kansas was particularly impressive because SU had to come back from 13 down in the second half. That is a great confidence builder.

 

And Flynn’s performance against Kansas was sensational. He got the comeback started with his steals and breakway baskets, and of course his 3-pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime was classic. The kid is a great player, tough as nails, smart, willing to take the responsibility for winning and losing on his shoulders. Enjoy him while you can. There are pro scouts who feel he is ready to play in the NBA right now.

 

One caveat: Both Florida and Kansas are quality teams with big reputations, but both are pretty young, and that showed against the Orange. The Big East will remain a tough grind, but SU, which has plenty of talent, showed plenty of grit the last two nights. That’s a good thing.