Syracuse - Duke ACC Tournament Quarterfinal Preview
0 Comments Published on 3.14.2019 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: Beating Duke would be very nice.
Syracuse beat Pittsburgh last night without Tyus Battle. Tonight they take on #3 Seed Duke in the late game without him again. The good news is, for the first time in a few years, there is no pressure on Syracuse to win the game tonight. Syracuse is firmly in the NCAAs and now they are playing for a higher seed. Which means the pressure is off, and only the desire to keep playing in Charlotte and to beat Duke remains. And Duke will seemingly be at full strength. The good news is that even if Syracuse loses it won't hurt them, especially with Battle out. The game plan remains the same as both other Duke games however. Syracuse has to pack the paint and try to make Duke either take contested 3s, or very hard shots in the lane, rebound the ball, and get as many easy buckets themselves as possible. Buddy and Hughes shooting lights out would also certainly help. But really, it will come down to which defense does more tonight. Syracuse obviously beat Duke at Duke with the defense getting enough stops in OT to pull it out. Syracuse was leading Duke, until Duke's defense caused a drought from Syracuse in the 2nd half, and that was that. Whichever defense does more damage tonight will win. And because Battle isn't on the floor, despite Syracuse playing very well last night without him, Pittsburgh isn't the offensively talented Duke team. Sadly I'm taking Duke in this one by 13. This game is available nationally on ESPN at 9:00pm (approximately 9:30), upon the conclusion of Louisville - UNC. Both John and I will be watching. Here's hoping Syracuse can pull off another upset of Duke and win the rubber match. LET'S GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, ACC Tournament, Basketball, Duke, Preview, We Hate Duke
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