Pitarresi: SU to be mightily tested

These are the times that try men’s souls.

 

These times being Wednesday through Jan. 25, when the Syracuse University basketball team will be tested as it hasn’t been in quite a long time.

 

The Orange, 16-1 and ranked eighth, get started against 11-3, 13th-ranked Georgetown Wednesday. They follow that up with No. 12, 12-4 Notre Dame at the Carrier Dome Saturday, a visit to 15-0, top-ranked Pittsburgh next Tuesday, and a home game Jan. 25 with 12-3, No. 20 Louisville.

 

I have my doubts about SU’s ability to handle that excruciatingly tough run, but maybe they don’t have to be dominant. The Big East is incredibly tough, with at least 11 teams capable of beating anyone. Even if the Orange go 2-2, they’re in good shape. However, they do want to prove – to us and to themselves – they truly can compete with the other top teams in the conference.

 

SU has a lot of guns. Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, Paul Harris, Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku all can put it in the basket, and each of them has been the leading scorer at least once this season. There is little worry there. Rebounding and occasional sloppiness are concerns. However, you get the feeling that this run and the remainder of the league season come down to things that can’t be measure statistically – smarts, heart and the will to win.

 

It’s going to be fun to watch.