SYRACUSE - There are some big boys in the Big East.
The Associated Press
Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, left, shoots over Connecticut's A.J. Price during the first half of a basketball game in Syracuse, Wednesday, Feb. 6. Flynn, a freshman, has played every minute of the Orange's last seven games.
Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, left, shoots over Connecticut's A.J. Price during the first half of a basketball game in Syracuse, Wednesday, Feb. 6. Flynn, a freshman, has played every minute of the Orange's last seven games.
Roy Hibbert, Kentrell Gransberry, Hasheem Thabeet, Luke Harangody - there's no question these guys are eating well.
And with all this girth clogging the court, Jonny Flynn can sometimes go unnoticed.
But the six-foot freshman packs quite a punch. While he's overshadowed by larger players, Flynn's play certainly hasn't been overlooked.
Flynn doesn't hesitate to take it right at the Hibberts and Thabeets of the league. And with strength and precision body control, he usually executes.
While he's third in the Big East in assists (5.15 per game), the Syracuse floor general is one of the most explosive scorers in the country.
He's averaging 15.5 points per game, and surprisingly, has increased his scoring in conference play (16.3).
And he's unselfish - sometimes to a fault.
In the Orange's worst loss of the season, an 81-61 drubbing at West Virginia, Flynn was hesitant to pull the trigger. Despite some wide-open looks, Flynn chose to pass first and shoot second. He attempted just 10 shots in the game.
Head coach Jim Boeheim wasn't going to stand for this.
In the next game, a blowout of Rutgers, Flynn shot 10-of-15 from the floor, knocked down two 3s and still handed out four assists.
“Coach told me 'You're going to have to be more aggressive - score more,” Flynn said after the Rutgers game.
So he has.
Since the West Virginia game, Flynn has scored in double digits in all games but one and has topped the 20-point mark five times.
But even more impressive, Flynn has played every minute of SU's last seven games. And yes, that includes the entire 45 minutes of an overtime thriller at Georgetown.
Flynn hasn't had a break since Jan. 19.
And he may not get another one until April.
In Big East play, he ranks first in minutes per game (39.0). And he's still not tired.
“My legs feel great,” Flynn said after Syracuse upended Georgetown 77-70 on Saturday. “I'll ice them tomorrow, but when you're out there you don't notice. Fatigue isn't a factor.”
Boeheim scoffs at the idea that his 19-year-old point guard might be worn-out.
“He's one of those players that can play 40 minutes,” Boeheim said. “He's played a lot the past couple games, but he can go out and play tomorrow for 40 minutes if he had to.”
And he probably will, as Syracuse (17-9 overall, 7-6 in Big East) prepares for a road battle with Louisville (20-6, 10-3) today. They'll need him down this final stretch as the Orange make their case for an NCAA Tournament berth.
While fellow freshman Donte Greene is the more prolific scorer, and Arinze Onuaku is the key to Syracuse's interior game, Flynn is the squad's barometer.
If he's scoring and distributing, Syracuse is usually winning. If his shots are clanging and he's turning the ball over, Syracuse is usually losing. Though, the latter is a rarity.
Flynn's name might not be tossed around with those of the country's elite freshman, but there's few players who mean more to their team.
“People say there's a lot more pressure this time of the season,” Flynn said. “But it's still the same amount we've faced all year. Now, we've just got to fight. I'm not ready to leave the court. You're going to have to drag me off.”
On TV
• Syracuse at Louisville, 7 p.m., ESPN
Blog on it
Orange fans, be sure to check out the Orange Slices blog at auburnpub.com/blogs for lively commentary on the SU athletics scene.
And with all this girth clogging the court, Jonny Flynn can sometimes go unnoticed.
But the six-foot freshman packs quite a punch. While he's overshadowed by larger players, Flynn's play certainly hasn't been overlooked.
Flynn doesn't hesitate to take it right at the Hibberts and Thabeets of the league. And with strength and precision body control, he usually executes.
While he's third in the Big East in assists (5.15 per game), the Syracuse floor general is one of the most explosive scorers in the country.
He's averaging 15.5 points per game, and surprisingly, has increased his scoring in conference play (16.3).
And he's unselfish - sometimes to a fault.
In the Orange's worst loss of the season, an 81-61 drubbing at West Virginia, Flynn was hesitant to pull the trigger. Despite some wide-open looks, Flynn chose to pass first and shoot second. He attempted just 10 shots in the game.
Head coach Jim Boeheim wasn't going to stand for this.
In the next game, a blowout of Rutgers, Flynn shot 10-of-15 from the floor, knocked down two 3s and still handed out four assists.
“Coach told me 'You're going to have to be more aggressive - score more,” Flynn said after the Rutgers game.
So he has.
Since the West Virginia game, Flynn has scored in double digits in all games but one and has topped the 20-point mark five times.
But even more impressive, Flynn has played every minute of SU's last seven games. And yes, that includes the entire 45 minutes of an overtime thriller at Georgetown.
Flynn hasn't had a break since Jan. 19.
And he may not get another one until April.
In Big East play, he ranks first in minutes per game (39.0). And he's still not tired.
“My legs feel great,” Flynn said after Syracuse upended Georgetown 77-70 on Saturday. “I'll ice them tomorrow, but when you're out there you don't notice. Fatigue isn't a factor.”
Boeheim scoffs at the idea that his 19-year-old point guard might be worn-out.
“He's one of those players that can play 40 minutes,” Boeheim said. “He's played a lot the past couple games, but he can go out and play tomorrow for 40 minutes if he had to.”
And he probably will, as Syracuse (17-9 overall, 7-6 in Big East) prepares for a road battle with Louisville (20-6, 10-3) today. They'll need him down this final stretch as the Orange make their case for an NCAA Tournament berth.
While fellow freshman Donte Greene is the more prolific scorer, and Arinze Onuaku is the key to Syracuse's interior game, Flynn is the squad's barometer.
If he's scoring and distributing, Syracuse is usually winning. If his shots are clanging and he's turning the ball over, Syracuse is usually losing. Though, the latter is a rarity.
Flynn's name might not be tossed around with those of the country's elite freshman, but there's few players who mean more to their team.
“People say there's a lot more pressure this time of the season,” Flynn said. “But it's still the same amount we've faced all year. Now, we've just got to fight. I'm not ready to leave the court. You're going to have to drag me off.”
On TV
• Syracuse at Louisville, 7 p.m., ESPN
Blog on it
Orange fans, be sure to check out the Orange Slices blog at auburnpub.com/blogs for lively commentary on the SU athletics scene.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.