Syracuse Orange men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim has a penchant for defending players who he thinks haven’t been given their due. Boeheim’s propensity to go to bat for players reaches as far back as Marty Byrnes in 1977 and as recently as Frank Howard. Although it wasn’t quite as passionate as the “Not ten” 2006 Big East Tournament speech in defense of Gerry McNamara, you can add Joe Girard to that list of players.
Syracuse has won three straight games after handling the Louisville Cardinals 92-69 on Saturday. The balanced offense in the last three games has had a lot to do with that, including the play of Girard, who Boeheim feels is unjustly criticized.