Story Created:
Mar 24, 2010 at 10:30 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 25, 2010 at 10:30 AM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (WKTV) - The Syracuse mens basketball team says they are excited to be back to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year. However unlike last year's trip, this is a business trip. The Orange are not just happy to be here, they are expecting to win.
All the talk in Salt Lake City is about SUs big man Arinze Onuaku who will miss his third straight NCAA Tournament game. In the previous two games, the rest of the Orange picked up the slack, and they say it shouldn't be any different this time around against Butler
"We lost a bit offensively and defensively." says SU Forward Kris Joseph. "We spoke about it in practice amongst ourselves and in team meetings that we would all have to pick it up. The guards will have to start rebounding. People will have to step up and score a bit more. It is just a team effort really."
The Orange keys to victory are tough defense and good offense, two things that have carried them here to the Sweet 16. "Our motto all season has been looking forward to the next game we haven't looked behind us or too far ahead." says Andy Rautins. "This Butler team is going to be tough though the further you progress the tougher the games get. Were not taking this one lightly."
With a win SU will advance to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2003, the same year they won the national title. This year's squad says they have the same goals. "Right now we think we could win the whole thing." Rick Jackson said. "Guys are practicing hard and we are looking good out there. We have a lot of confidence right now. We are playing our best basketball that we have played in a long time and I think we will keep moving on."
Game time on Thursday night is 7:07pm on CBS. During the game, log on to wktv.com and blog live with our own Pat Bailey and Jason Powles and give us your thoughts on the matchup.
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