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BET Recap: Seton Hall - Syracuse

0 Comments Published on 3.13.2013 by John Brennan

James found his shot!
You know those horrible stats in the box score we've been talking about lately? Forget about them. Jim Boeheim's squad decided it was going to play the Syracuse basketball we've been wanting to see for a while: the type we had grown accustomed to the past few seasons, and saw for much of this season. You know, that great zone defense, good ball movement on offense, knocking down shots and driving the ball inside. While Seton Hall grabbed an early lead with a couple three-pointers, it at first appeared we would see the same Syracuse team that lost to Marquette, Lousiville, and twice to Georgetown in the last three weeks. Mistakes on both ends of the floor, and not much of an offensive game. That is, except for James Southerland. He found his shot, and while Syracuse never led in the first half, he certainly kept them in it and helped the Orange to a 34-34 tie at halftime. In the second half, it truly became a team effort and Syracuse was able to really play the way we've been wanting them to play. They dominated that second half and eventually built a lead the Pirates were unable to overcome. Syracuse wins 75-63.

  • Player of the Game honors go to, of course, James Southerland. James was 7-11 (including 6-9 from three) for 20 points, starting the game and playing all 40 minutes. As noted above, he was the constant scoring threat for Syracuse, and just played a real smart game.
  • Welcome back, Brandon Triche! He had several great looks in this game, but unlike recent memory, was actually able to hit those shots. Brandon was 6-9 for 17 points, five assists, and a couple of steals.
  • CJ Fair continued his consistency. 16 points on 6-10 shooting, and eight rebounds.
  • Michael Carter-Williams tied a Big East Tourney record with 14 assists; along with six points and five rebounds, that was a solid effort. When the three guys listed above are making their shots the way they did today, I don't mind that MCW only had six points; he had a hand in 14 baskets, and that's just fantastic. And he only turned the ball over once!
  • Rakeem Christmas and Baye Moussa Keita equally shared time at the five, and combined for 14 points and eight rebounds. That's decent production there in a rotation, and that will be key for Syracuse to play well as tournaments move on.
  • There weren't many substitutions on Boeheim's part, mainly because what was on the floor was working.
  • Overall Syracuse shot 27-48 (56.3%), 9-15 (60%) from three, 29 rebounds and 21 assists.
  • Seton Hall really struggled on the boards, particularly on their end, only grabbing four offensive rebounds (18 overall).
  • The Pirate bench scored zero points. But to be fair, there were only 18 total bench minutes.
  • Aaron Cosby was the Seton Hall (and game) leading scorer with 22.
  • While not stuck in Court, I was in my office flipping between this game and the Sistine Chapel camera. Syracuse played much better once we had a new pope. Coincidence?
  • Yeah, probably.
Yeah, it was Seton Hall, but this was a great win for Syracuse. This was an example of how Syracuse could snap out of its slump, shoot the ball well, and just play a great game. Falling into a first half hole like they did today won't bode well against better opponents, but this should be a great confidence builder overall for the Orange. Up next is a date with our ACC-bound brethren Pittsburgh. Check back here tomorrow morning for the Orange::44 preview on that one.

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