Oklahoma State - Syracuse NIT Season Tip-Off Preview
0 Comments Published on 11.27.2019 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: Nothing like being back in NYC.
The Orange are coming off an impressive offensive performance against Bucknell, despite the usual protest from Jim Boeheim about how the team needs to get better. Any time you beat another team by around 50 points is a good win in my book, no matter who it is. But now the non-conference slate gets serious as Syracuse heads to Brooklyn to take on Oklahoma State in the NIT. Can Syracuse continue their winning offensive output?
Syracuse has seemed to settle into a nice offensive rhythm with Joe Girard settling into the starting point guard position. Dolezaj has been good to great. And Hughes has been very steady in finding the hoop in his last few games. But Oklahoma is no slouch. However, they have literally played nobody so far this season. Oklahoma State is very solid on defense. Syracuse will have to hit some long range shots to open up the paint. Since the Virginia game, Syracuse is making 41.6% of their three point baskets. That should help Syracuse be able to win against the Cowboys. The best player on Okey State is senior guard Lindy Waters III (I guess it's cool to be a III these days). He's averaging 12.2ppg and is hitting 44.8% from three. Syracuse will have to find him behind the arc if they want to have a good defensive effort. This game will really come down to which defense performs better. Will Syracuse's zone adequately cover the three point shooters and cause turnovers, or will Syracuse be stifled on offense by the ball pressure Okey State uses? Syracuse is the best shot blocking team in the nation with the Cowboys right behind them at #2. Blocks and turnovers, and more importantly points off those turnovers, will be the key for either team. But taking a look at history, Syracuse has traditionally been very solid against Big XII teams, perhaps with the only glaring exception as Baylor last season. Based on the fact Syracuse will be in New York, as well as the momentum Syracuse has built lately, and to a lesser degree the size of Syracuse against Okey State, I'm taking Syracuse over the Cowboys by 8.
This game is available nationally on ESPN 2 at 7:00pm. Both JBren and I will be watching, although I'll be out of pocket for most of the game. Enjoy Feast Week, the day before Thanksgiving, and we'll see you out there. GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, NIT Tip-Off, Preview
Still weird a bird has teeth.
Syracuse had a big win last week in Durham. Not only creating turnovers and scoring off them, but Syracuse reestablished the run game and was able to play solid defense, never letting Duke find the End Zone. Now Syracuse heads to Louisville with hopes of a Bowl Game still alive.
Louisville is having a decent season at 6-4. But they have a puzzling loss to Florida State after being up, and solid wins against Wake Forest, BC, and NC State. Louisville seems to be a team that can put up a ton of points on the board, which means Syracuse will have their hands full on the defensive end. Louisville establishes their run to open up passing down the field. That means, much like at Duke, Syracuse will have to commit to stop the run, but not sell out too much to do so, as Louisville will then just pass down the field and score a lot of points. In reality, this game will probably be a track meet and if Syracuse can keep up with them on offense, whichever team's defense plays the best, or creates turnovers, should win the game. While Syracuse could win this game, since I picked them last week, I'm going to do the same in the hope I'm very wrong. I'll take the Cards 37 to 27.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 4:00pm. I'll be around for the 2nd half, and John will be watching from somewhere. Either way, we'll see you out there. GO ORANGE!
Syracuse students agree: We don't have strong feelings about Bucknell one way or the other.
The NIT Season Tipoff continues as Bucknell makes the 3hr15m trip from PA up to Syracuse to take on the Orange. Bucknell shouldn't present too much of a challenge, but let's get into it.
Bucknell's offense works though their point guard Jimmy Sotos, who is very good and distributing the ball and getting the Bison in position to tie for first place in the Patriot League last season. He's averaging 4.7 assists a game, and his success will indicate how close Bucknell can keep this game. If he's unable to make good passes in the zone, and causes a lot of turnovers, it should be a blowout for Syracuse. If Sotos is making good passes and getting his team to convert, Syracuse will obviously have a much tougher time to pull away. Bucknell is an interesting team in that they have pretty good offense, especially from behind the arc, but are a pretty bad defensive team. Arguably their best offensive player comes off the bench ala Dion Waiters. John Meeks leads the team in scoring coming off the bench. He hits 44% from three, so Syracuse will have to keep track of him on the floor. That being said, this bodes a good matchup for the Orange. If Syracuse is able to play some lock down defense and plug the paint with good movement and long arms, Bucknell will be forced to shoot threes, and Syracuse should get some rebounds and transition points. And this will also allow Syracuse to get good shots and even drive the ball more in this game. Not to mention the fact that Syracuse is a taller team with Sidibe and Dolezaj should be able to rebound pretty easily both in the zone and on the offensive end. Syracuse over Bucknell by 22. This game is available on The ACC Network at 12:00pm. John will be watching from the road, and I'll be coming in hot to see the game. Go Orange!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: Boeheim Bowl II should be fun.
Syracuse took down Seattle in an impressive offensive output, with Joe Girard at the helm running point guard. Now Syracuse takes on the kids from Cornell taking the short ride up Rt. 13 to I-81. Obviously, Jimmy Boeheim will be playing against his dad and brother in orange again. But Cornell isn't good. Can Syracuse put away Cornell early?
Syracuse started out of the gate against Seattle by scoring early, in transition, 3 balls, and drives to the basket. Cornell has struggled this season, only beating the nearby Bearcats of Binghamton. Jimmy Boeheim leads Cornell averaging 15.3ppg. Syracuse will obviously have to guard him, but Cornell has a legitimate challenge to Sidibe in Josh Warren. Sidibe is larger, but Warren is known for easy buckets and rebounding. Cornell is not a great 3 point shooting team, but they are pretty good at scoring in the paint. But you know what that means. This plays right into Syracuse's defense. Syracuse will pack the paint and use the zone to disrupt passing lanes. Cornell will have to make some outside shots. If Buddy and Girard can disrupt some shooters, Syracuse should pull away early and maintain a large lead for most of the game. I expect Syracuse gets a decent amount of turnovers, and converts a good number of them for points in this one. Syracuse over Cornell by 17. This game is available on ACC Network Extra, another internet only affair, at 7:30pm. John and I will be watching. Go Orange, and enjoy the now annual Battle of the Boeheims.
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: We didn't know this was a school with a basketball team.
The NIT Season Tipoff starts tonight with Seattle University (SU... that's fun) coming in to take on Syracuse. The Orange will have a new starting PG tonight in Joe Girard, taking over from Jalen Carey after his performance against Colgate. The team was visually much better on offense with Girard running the offense, and he's been rewarded with the job. The best player on Seattle is Myles Carter, who transferred from Seton Hall. He's averaging 16.3ppg and 7.5 rebounds. However, this Seattle team is built perfectly for Syracuse to get a huge win. They aren't a good three point shooting team, only making 20% from long range. Syracuse will be bigger, and should be able to rebound and force turnovers by covering passing lanes in the zone. They also should be able to push in transition off of Seattle three point misses. Syracuse should roll in this one as well. And one would think that since Girard is starting the game, they will avoid a 5 minute nothing start on offense that they had against Colgate. Syracuse over Seattle by 19. This game is an internet only affair, tipping off at 7:00pm on ACC Network Extra. Check it out via ESPN streaming. I may or may not be watching. John will be in the Dome. GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
It isn't basketball, but I'll take it.
Syracuse has had a rough go, but coming off a bye week, Syracuse has a chance to come down to Durham and come away with an upset win. A new defensive strategy will be employed as Defensive Coordinator Brian Ward was fired. Can Syracuse beat Duke on their own field?
Duke started the week knowing they have lost their starting Center for the rest of the season after an injury resulted in season ending surgery. Duke, like Syracuse, already doesn't really gain much yardage on first down. However, they have managed to protect the QB, unlike Syracuse. Redshirt Senior Quentin Harris is a true dual threat player, and Syracuse may have trouble dealing with that, because despite other QBs running on Syracuse, this is the first time they are facing a true dual thread player. Duke also has a true star on defense with Victor Dimukeje, who leads the team with 6.5 sacks. Despite all that, however, Syracuse has had a full two weeks to prepare for Duke. Syracuse will have a chance to win the game, or at least keep it close to provide an opportunity for a win if some luck breaks in Syracuse's favor. But, at this point knowing what we know about Syracuse, I'd be foolish to pick Syracuse to win here. I'm taking Duke over Syracuse 44 to 31.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 4:00pm. The last half hour should be overlapping with Syracuse's basketball game this evening, an internet only affair. I'll be watching the football game today, so look for me on Twitter. GO ORANGE!
Syracuse students agree(?): Apparently we won't be in the Dome.
Syracuse takes on long time rival Colgate tonight in the Carrier Dome. The longest win streak versus any one team is on the line as Syracuse puts their 53 consecutive win streak against Colgate on the line. Syracuse has the talent as usual, but Colgate is coming off a very successful year, having made the NCAA Tournament. Colgate Jordan Burns will look to get hot as he is the one to keep Colgate in the game should the going get tough. The good news is, unlike Virginia, Colgate is a smaller team. Syracuse, despite playing in the usual 2-3, will be able to rebound a little better in this game. And after last game's shooting performance, 2nd chance points would be useful. Syracuse should also be able to take advantage of more transition offense in this game as well. Syracuse should find some easier chances in this one when not playing the best defensive team in the ACC. This game will probably be tight at the half, and maybe even a good part of the 2nd, but Syracuse should be able to pull away, similar to how their game against Clemson went. Syracuse over Colgate by 14. This game is available on regional coverage at 7:00pm. Check your local listings here. For everyone else, ESPN 3's internet only affair. John will be in the Dome. I'm in the home office. We'll see you out there. I need Syracuse to beat the spread and GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: Starting the season with the defending Natty Champs is bold.
Syracuse tips off the 2019-2020 campaign with a conference game in the Carrier Dome on the new ACC Network. Oh yeah, and it's against the defending National Champions. This will be the first time ever that Syracuse starts a season against the defending Natty Champs. However, both teams have lost their "go to" players and will be looking for younger players on the roster to step up. As we know, that's going to be Elijah Hughes for Syracuse. For the Cavs, they will mainly be looking to forward Mamadi Diakite to lead the scoring. He is their leading returning scorer and also their shot blocking leader from last season. Virginia also led the ACC in three point defense. Syracuse, with Hughes returning, and the various roster additions, will look to improve on shooting from long range and capitalize on Hughes, Boeheim, Girard, and others being able to drain the three. While Virginia being the defending champs will automatically make them favored in this game, I think Syracuse has a real chance to put the league and the country on notice early that this team can score and do some damage this season. If Syracuse is able to get good point guard play, and distribute the ball, they should get the sizable home crowd on their feet and use Dome Field Advantage to power to a nice early league win. I'm taking Syracuse in a close one by six. This game is available nationally on The ACC Network at 9:00pm. John will be in the Dome. I'll be on the couch. We'll see you out there. LET'S GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
Getting another win would be nice.
Syracuse heads back home after an unflattering loss in Florida to take on old rival Boston College. Somehow Syracuse is favored. Can Syracuse pick up a win against a division rival?
The defensive game plan is simple. Stop AJ Dillon and force BC to have to make throws. If Syracuse can stuff the box and keep BC in 3rd and long situations, that will put pressure on the BC Quaterback, who hasn't had the best season. BC is 101 in the nation in passing offense this season. Syracuse can take advantage with a defensive unit that forced a lot of turnovers last year, and are more than capable of making a few interceptions. Winning the turnover battle at home to give more opportunities to score will go a long way to ensure Syracuse will be able to win the game. Obviously Syracuse has to take care of the ball themselves, but they have to again go with a quick passing attack and try and get more yards on the ground. If Syracuse is able to create some long runs to stretch the defense, that will obviously take a little pressure off the offensive line protection scheme and give Tommy DeVito more time to make plays, which he is more than capable of doing when healthy. Keeping him off the ground is always paramount, but scoring points at this point in the season is even more critical. I like Syracuse is at home and I like BC hasn't set the world on fire this season. I'm taking Syracuse in a tight one at home, 31 to 24.
This game is available nationally on The ACC Network at noon. John will be in the Dome. I'll be on the field and unavailable to watch. Enjoy. Remember, BC sucks and always will... and GO ORANGE!