Syracuse students agree: Yeah we'll watch, but the CFP will be on the other TV.
Syracuse has one more game before the ACC really starts up. And Syracuse faces a familiar opponent in Greg Paulus, the now coach of Niagara. Unfortunately, much like Oklahoma - LSU in the football playoff, this one also probably won't be very close.
Niagara is an interesting team in that they are notable for being the shortest team collectively in America. They also are 2nd worst in the nation in offensive rebounding. Now, as we know Syracuse won't set the world on fire with their rebounding. However, just on size alone, and despite playing the 2-3 Zone, Syracuse should own the boards in this game, both in getting rebounds for transition points, but also on the offensive boards for 2nd chance points. Hughes should have another solid day, and the usual contribution from Dolezaj, Girard, and Boeheim will carry Syracuse to a solid win. Syracuse over Niagra by 23.
This game is an internet only affair on ACC Network Extra at 7:00pm. Since the first playoff game is well decided, this one will have my full attention. Both John and I are in the home offices. We'll see you out there. GO ORANGE.
Labels: Basketball, Greg Paulus, Preview
Syracuse students agree: We're not at this game.
Syracuse handled Oakland in a game that was fairly close until the last four minutes. But a win is a win, especially in the non-conference. Either way, Syracuse heads into their last home game before Christmas. Another chance for a win before having a little bit of a break. The good news is Syracuse should get it done.
This is an interesting matchup for Syracuse at this point in the year. And you wouldn't think of it considering the team they are playing is named North Florida (better than Central and South). Oddly North Florida is the best three point shooting team in the nation in terms of the number of shots made. This is definitely the opposite kind of offensive team than Oakland, which is good as the perimeter defense is a bit better than Syracuse's interior defense. Where Sidibe and Dolezaj were in a bit of foul trouble, North Florida's primary offensive attack will not be in the paint, which should allow both players to stay in the game extended minutes. That helps Syracuse's offense as North Florida's interior defense is really not good. This should allow Syracuse to, in theory, get some decent offensive production from the post and in the paint, which should allow Syracuse's shooting to open up. Not to mention Syracuse should be able to get some transition buckets. Expect another big game from Hughes and Boeheim and Girard. But also expect some higher point outputs from Dolezaj, Sidibe, and probably Guerrier. This is kind of a great matchup for Syracuse as long as Syracuse is able to defend the Osprey shooters. Much like Oakland, this game should be fairly close at the half, but Syracuse should pull away in the 2nd half. Syracuse over North Florida by 18.
Today's game is available nationally on the ACC network at 6:00pm. John should be in the Dome today, unlike Wednesday. I'm in the home office. Here's hoping the crowd noise is a little louder today and GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: This one's a gimmie.
Syracuse returns from D.C. after a ten point loss to rival Georgetown after running into the hot hand of their guard. Now Syracuse looks to rebound with what should be an easy affair in the Dome. Syracuse should be in control of this one.
Oakland isn't a big shooting team, but the best shooter is Blake Lampman hitting 35.6% from three. If Syracuse covers him, Oakland will have to rely on their best scorer Xavier Hill-Mais, averaging 18.3ppg. He does his work in the post, which obviously has been a problem for Syracuse on the defensive end in various games this season. If Sidibe and Dolezaj can step up and guard without fouling, and the wings are able to rotate effectively, Syracuse should have an easy win. Syracuse should be able to get easy transition buckets. This game shouldn't stress the team or any fans out. Syracuse over Oakland by 22.
This game is available on ESPN U (never graduate) at 8:00pm. John should be in the Dome. I'm in the home office. Maybe John's 1 game streak of going to losses will be broken. GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
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| Syracuse students agree: an ACC game in Atlanta in December is new |
We're in a brave new world now. In exchange for a Scrooge McDuck vault swimming with ACC Network money, we have to put up with crazy things like opening the season against an ACC foe who happens to be the defending National Champion, and going on the road in December to play another ACC opponent. More conference games. More inventory for the Network. You don't have to like it, you just have to accept it.
That all being said, this is not the situation Jim Boeheim wants to be in with this team on December 7. Traveling to Atlanta for a conference game at this point is not ideal. Syracuse is both young and has seen quite a regression from its junior & sophomore core. The roster is what it is, and the only thing that will help it at this point is more playing and more patience. So, playing at Georgia Tech on December 7 just continues the "throw them into the lion's den" theme of the season.
The Yellow Jackets are going through issues of their own, with a postseason ban looming. But they're not letting that prospect slow them down this year. For Syracuse to have any chance to stay in the game, priority number one is containing guard Michael Devoe; he's averaging 23.8 ppg, shooting 55.4% from the field and 58.6% from three with 29 threes made. Orange guards will have to get a hand in his face from time to time, otherwise he's going to destroy from beyond the arc. However, if the zone expands to pay more attention to Devoe, GTech can get the ball inside to forwards James Banks and Moses Wright, able scorers averaging more than 11 ppg each and reliable rebounding numbers (particularly Banks, with monster numbers on the boards at both ends).
Syracuse has a litany of issues it will have to overcome to stay competitive in this game. Obviously, shooting woes plagued the team in the two games in Brooklyn and at the Iowa game on Tuesday. Joe Girard is human, and Buddy Boeheim has gone cold. Maybe playing in a smaller gym like McCamish Pavilion will help. Syracuse on the offensive end will have to deal with the aforementioned Banks, who has 28 blocks on the year so far. Defensively I thought the zone looked great in the first half against Iowa, particularly in collapsing in when the Hawkeyes got the ball inside and then either being able to block/contest the shot, or cause a turnover. That obviously changed in the second half, whether it was an endurance issue or something else. But they'll have their hands full.
The Orange face their first true road game at maybe the worst time. But they're in the midst of just a terribly difficult stretch of games which began last Tuesday in Brooklyn and concludes next Saturday at Georgetown -- so a win today going into the week off before DC would maybe lessen the blow of this stretch. While it's definitely possible, I see a Yellow Jackets victory by 11.
This game is available on the ACC Network (where available) at noon EST. Brian will be listening from on the road to ultimately stay with some degenerate in Elmira tonight, and I'll be watching from Elmira. You do the math. If the game sucks, reminder that it's championship day in college football so go find some conference title game to watch. Otherwise, GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview