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
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