Syracuse students agree: NYC is STILL Syracuse country.
Is James Southerland playing today? According to Twitter he is. And the Post-Standard has confirmed it. Either way, Syracuse takes on a St. John's team that is last in the Big East in rebounding. They also aren't very good at shooting the long ball with the exception of star D'Angelo Harrison. However Harrison is the definition of a streaky player. He could rattle off five unbelievably long or impossible shots and miss the next ten. If Harrison is on, and he can be as he leads the team with 18.5ppg, Syracuse will have to respond. But again the good news is that Syracuse is a far better rebounding team (2nd in the Big East) than St. John's. If St. John's starts missing shots the game could get out of hand for them quickly. Syracuse has played far better at home than on the road. SU outrebounded ND, the opposing team for the first time in four games, and that is with a guy named Jack Cooley on the roster. They also shot 48.9% in that game. While Harrison probably will get around 15 points, so will CJ Fair. And probably Southerland will add ten off the bench in the excitement of being back on the floor in a game. St. John's is not a team that can bust the zone so look for them to really struggle in the first half, with Syracuse gaining a modest lead. St. John's should get a run going in the second half to close the gap, but Syracuse's transition game will definitely keep them in the lead. Syracuse, playing at home, against a team they have dominated for a good stretch, will play well. I'm picking the Orange to win this one by 16. This game is available on ESPN nationally at 3:00pm.
Labels: Basketball, Big East, Preview
"St. John's is not a team that can bust the zone so look for them to really struggle in the first half, with Syracuse gaining a modest lead. St. John's should get a run going in the second half to close the gap, but Syracuse's transition game will definitely keep them in the lead... I'm picking the Orange to win this one by 16."
Dude. Prophesy much? You had it just about exactly right. If not for that Taco Time three-pointer!
Sometimes I'm lucky and sometimes I'm good. I think this time I was good.