Syracuse students agree: Now a win would REALLY be nice.
What a rough week for Syracuse. Although I've addressed my issues with the Duke game here, Syracuse deserved to lose the BC game. They just didn't have it. That's fine. I can live with that. Either way, Syracuse had the o-fer last week so they need to step it up tonight.
Syracuse takes on a Maryland team that he heading for "greener pastures" in the Big "Ten". Maryland isn't that great of a team on paper, but they have been really good at home. They are 5-1 in ACC play at home and 10-3 at home overall. They are a tough group to play. Syracuse has obviously played up and down on the road, but really it comes down to who shows up. Both Trevor Cooney and Tyler Ennis were essentially non-factors against Duke, and really in the last couple of games (both losses). One of them has to contribute. CJ Fair even had a middle of the road game at Duke and it was Grant that was really the only one carrying the load, hitting pretty spectacular shots in the lane again and again. Couple that with either of the big men missing bunnies after pulling down tons of offensive rebounds and you get a recipe for disaster. Either Cooney hits some shots tonight, Ennis drives more, or both. But if one doesn't manage to step up, in combination with CJ and Grant, then the game is done. Maryland, like Duke, has a few players that can hit outside shots, so people making shots for Syracuse is a must. The defense will again do their part and show up, but you still have to have more on the scoreboard than your opponent at the end of the night. Foul trouble wasn't the biggest problem at Duke but Syracuse has to be mindful because in a tight game you can't rely on Keita to get offensive production. Only defense. Either way, if Cooney is hitting shots, Syracuse should win. Same with Ennis driving the basket or making good passes. If not, Syracuse will come up short again. I think they do recover and thrive in the loud atmosphere that will be going on in College Park. I'll take the Orange by 13.
This game is available nationally on ESPN / Watch ESPN at 7:00pm. Both John and I will again be around. Hopefully things will go better this evening. Again, if you missed my Duke recap check it out with the link above.
This game is available nationally on ESPN / Watch ESPN at 7:00pm. Both John and I will again be around. Hopefully things will go better this evening. Again, if you missed my Duke recap check it out with the link above.
Labels: ACC, ACC YA, Basketball, Preview
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