Syracuse - Virginia Postgame Reactions OR Snowed Out
0 Comments Published on 1.25.2016 by John Brennan
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| Obviously taken during gameplay, but, this picture totally looks posed. |
Don't blame jet lag. Mainly because Syracuse and Charlottesville are in the same time zone. But in an "unprecedented" gameday travel arrival, Syracuse tried its best to stick to its gameday routine and not let any distractions keep it from focusing on the task at hand: extending its winning streak to four games. A tall task in even ideal circumstances. On Sunday night, Syracuse struggled in a few areas in which it had found success: consistency and defense. But for Michael Gbinije and Malachi Richardson, there was hardly any offensive production. And, as Jim Boeheim noted after the game, the defense at the 5 position was non-existent. To be fair, Syracuse hung with the Hoos for much of the game, but by about halfway through the second half, you just knew they'd never get close enough to make a real run at the lead. The streak comes to an end, as Virginia came out on top 73-65.
- Gbinije and Richardson scored 24 and 23, respectively, combining for eleven three-pointers. They were the only ones in double digits for the Orange.
- After that monster game against Duke last Monday, Tyler Roberson cooled off, with only six points and seven rebounds. Anthony Gill really had his way with him down low.
- Boeheim only went seven-deep in this game, with Tyler Lydon logging 26 minutes, and Frank Howard with five. Sure, there aren't many good bench options. Plus, Syracuse had six days since its last game, and four days until the next, so if you're going to overwork your starters, this was the right timing for it.
- 39 of Syracuse's 65 points were from deep; so it's no surprise that Syracuse got demolished in the paint, being outscored 30-12. With as hot as Gbinije & Richardson were from beyond the arc -- and you had to keep letting them shoot -- literally anyone else stepping up with any semblance of an inside game quite honestly might have given the game to Syracuse. But, nobody was to be found.
- Virginia's offense was consistent, and as expected most of its production came from Malcom Brogdon, London Perrantes, and Anthony Gill. They are good players.
So the streak is over. But you really can't be upset going 2-1 on a three-game road stretch of Wake, Duke, and Virginia. Up next is four straight home games (?!) against teams Syracuse could (should?) beat. It's the 2016 ACC, who knows what can happen! Also with this loss, we can welcome back Brian to regular blogging again -- a more normal mix of both of us contributing. Welcome back, Brian!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Recap
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