Syracuse students agree: Just win baby.
Syracuse earned a nice comeback win against GTech on Saturday. Despite not leading for the majority of the game, Syracuse was able to pull ahead and get a nice lead to sweep GTech for the season. Now Syracuse has the chance to sweep another ACC foe in Pittsburgh.
Syracuse dominated the first half against Pittsburgh when they first played in Syracuse, only for the game to get tighter in the 2nd as Syracuse basically hung on for a win. Pittsburgh wasn't able to make jumpers in the first half, or get int he paint. But then Syracuse's offense stalled in the 2nd half, and Pittsburgh made the game tighter despite never gaining the lead. Syracuse will look to finish off Pittsburgh early on their home court. Justin Chamgagnie was the leading scorer and rebounder for Pitt in that game, and he leads the team in both. However, Pittsburgh is dreadful at 3 point field goal % at 29.2, as well as raking 342nd in the nation in offensive rebounding. That's a formula for Syracuse to win again. Pittsburgh coughs up the ball and they don't score a ton, nor do they get many 2nd chance points. If Syracuse is able to keep Sidibe and/or Dolezaj in the game, this one may not be a crushing like Boston College earlier in the season was, but it will certainly be more easy going than GTech was. Guerrier lead in rebounding for Syracuse in the last game, and I look for him to do damage on the boards in this one. Girard made some ill advised shots in the last game, and he's certainly stopped just bombing shots in the last few games. While Boeheim isn't shooting as much as he was earlier in the year, Syracuse should have plenty of opportunity to get transition buckets, including those from long range. Despite being in The Pete, they don't seem to have the home court advantage they are used to, as they have obviously not won too many games period. I think this is tighter than SU fans would want, but it still won't be too nerve racking. SU over Pitt by 9.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 7:00pm. Both John and I will be watching. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Pittsburgh, Preview, Rivalries
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| Syracuse Students agree: A win would help the NIT resume |
The Yellow Jackets have fared similarly to Syracuse this season, sitting at a 13-13 record overall, 7-8 in ACC play. That currently ties them with Clemson, Notre Dame, and Syracuse for 6th in the ACC. So if nothing else, today's game will factor into tournament seeding and potential tie-breakers. Like before, GT's main scoring threat is Michael Devoe, averaging 16.3 ppg. Jose Alvarado and Moses Wright both average in double digit scoring, while James Banks III is just a shade under ten. Their guards -- especially Devoe -- can score 3s, but unless someone just gets a hot hand (which tends to happen against Syracuse) I think Syracuse can just play a good zone and try to limit scoring. Banks & Wright both rebound quite well, so Syracuse would be wise to BOX OUT on them to create second chance points or prevent Georgia Tech from their own second chance points.
By now you know what there is to know about Syracuse. Elijah Hughes is the leading scorer and will likely get you 15-20 points. Buddy Boeheim & Joe Girard can both be prolific scorers, but they can both disappear too. Marek Dolezaj will probably score in double digits, grab a bunch of rebounds, and create havoc for the Yellow Jackets, but if he gets in foul trouble or fouls out, you might as well count out the Orange. Marek is my favorite -- he plays with so much heart, so much intensity, but he's also really smart about basketball. He understands the game -- it transcends language. But he's the victim of an officiating movement that calls fouls on virtually any contact, and I can't imagine that's the intent of the rules. But I'll get off my soapbox now.
Even though Syracuse has been on a skid, the only ugly loss was at Louisville on Wednesday night. The others were close -- and Syracuse was in them almost to the end. So what we see is a Syracuse team who can certainly go into its second to last game under this Carrier Dome roof and dominate a team like Georgia Tech. And today, that's what I see happening: Syracuse by nine.
This game tips at 4:00pm EST and is available on the Regional Sports Network (YES in the NY area, otherwise check here). I'll be in the Dome, and Brian might get to catch some on TV. Enjoy, and GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: Do or die.
Syracuse let another close one slip through their fingers at FSU. Now Syracuse heads to The 'Ville to take on the #11 team in the nation in one of the toughest arenas in the nation. Can Syracuse pull a big upset and stay in the hunt for an elusive NCAA birth?
Syracuse heads into this game off a loss to FSU. However, Louisville is coming off back to back losses of their own. A loss to GTech, and a baffling loss to Clemson. Unfortunately for the Orange, it's unlikely the Cards are going to have another bad game in a row. Syracuse desperately needs Buddy Boeheim to bust out of his funk as well. Despite massive scoring efforts from Joe Girard, and Elijah Hughes when he was on the floor and not out due to injury, Syracuse couldn't beat FSU or NC State in their last outings. Buddy Boeheim didn't contribute. And despite being in both games late, they couldn't get a bucket to ice the game. Syracuse now faces Louisville, a team they beat by 20 last season. Jordan Nwora again leads the Cards, with 18.2ppg right now. He's neck and neck with Hughes in the ACC scoring lead. Louisville is very good at shooting, hitting 40.7% from behind the arc. The good news is their big man is only 6'10" and should be easier to handle than FSU was. That being said, Syracuse will have to really guard the three point line. If they don't this will be over quick. If Boeheim again adds a zero to the scoring, this will be over before the last four minutes. Either way, while I think Boeheim does come back and add some scoring after two really bad games, the Cards will be too much to handle for Syracuse. I'm taking Louisville by seven.
This game is available on ESPN at 7:00pm. John is on vacation and may or may not be watching this at a bar. I'm in the home office. Enjoy, try not to say too many Boeheim Hot Takes, and GO ORANGE!
This game is available on ESPN at 7:00pm. John is on vacation and may or may not be watching this at a bar. I'm in the home office. Enjoy, try not to say too many Boeheim Hot Takes, and GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Louisville Sucks, Preview
Syracuse students agree: Now we're in a must win game.
Syracuse had some rotten luck taking on NC State when Elijah Hughes had a groin injury and was unable to play. Joe Girard responded by scoring 30 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome a mediocre team at home. Now Syracuse has a chance to respond by picking up a win against #8 Florida State on the road.
Syracuse faces a tough task taking on Florida State, a team with three players that average over ten points a game. Devin Vassell leads the team in scoring and rebounding. FSU is the tallest team in the nation, lead the nation in blocked shots, and are top ten in steals. Syracuse has been relying on scoring in the paint and getting good buckets off offensive rebounds. That likely will be much more difficult today. Which means Syracuse must make three point buckets if it wants to win. Boeheim must do better than one made three in the game. Girard was able to find success in going to the basket against NC State, but that likely won't happen today. Additionally, Boeheim can't make turnovers like he did. While Hughes is likely to play today after a pretty good week of rest, if Boeheim doesn't add meaningful minutes by making baskets and not coughing up the ball, Syracuse is sunk. Syracuse will need to hit a good number of threes to stay in the game or win. While John has a good feeling about this game, and Syracuse seems to score more on the road than at home, there's literally nothing that would lead me to believe Syracuse can pull off this upset today. FSU over the Orange by 9.
This game is available on ESPN 2 at 12:00pm. Both John and I are watching on our televisions. Here's hoping for a big upset win. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: Let's make this one not as tense.
Syracuse has gotten in a ton of foul trouble lately, making the game at Clemson and the game against Wake Forest difficult. Syracuse lost at Clemson, but pulled out a win against Wake Forest. Now another similarly situated ACC team comes into the Carrier Dome. And Syracuse needs to beat them to stay ahead of them.
NC State is a good offensive team. They tend to take care of the ball and get scoring from the perimeter and inside. Syracuse is obviously going to try and force NC State to beat them by shooting. The guy that could get it done for NC State is guard Markell Johnson, who is capable of going off, like opponents have tended to do over the years. Syracuse must shut him down if they want to win the game. Syracuse has been in a bit of a shooting slump as of late, and have gotten it done in the paint and on offensive rebounds. While Boeheim has been pretty consistant, Joe Girard and to a lesser extent Elijah Hughes have trailed off in terms of three point shooting. I think Syracuse will get some opportunities to get back on the shooting train and win this game. Which would be welcome since Syracuse has had serious foul issues the last few games. The good news is maybe Goodine will be playing more now. Either way, Syracuse should win this one at home. I'm taking Syracuse by 6.
This game is availabel nationwide on ESPN 2 at 7:00pm. John's in the Dome. I'm at home. Let's GO ORANGE!
NC State is a good offensive team. They tend to take care of the ball and get scoring from the perimeter and inside. Syracuse is obviously going to try and force NC State to beat them by shooting. The guy that could get it done for NC State is guard Markell Johnson, who is capable of going off, like opponents have tended to do over the years. Syracuse must shut him down if they want to win the game. Syracuse has been in a bit of a shooting slump as of late, and have gotten it done in the paint and on offensive rebounds. While Boeheim has been pretty consistant, Joe Girard and to a lesser extent Elijah Hughes have trailed off in terms of three point shooting. I think Syracuse will get some opportunities to get back on the shooting train and win this game. Which would be welcome since Syracuse has had serious foul issues the last few games. The good news is maybe Goodine will be playing more now. Either way, Syracuse should win this one at home. I'm taking Syracuse by 6.
This game is availabel nationwide on ESPN 2 at 7:00pm. John's in the Dome. I'm at home. Let's GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: A week off should help the cause.
The Orange have had a full week of rest after coming up short against Duke in their only meeting of the season last Saturday. And after a full week, they face last place Wake Forest at home. Syracuse needs to win this one.
Syracuse is facing the worst team in the league in Wake Forest. They do have a good scorer in Brandon Childress, scoring 15.3ppg. However, in reality, the big concern for Syracuse is Olivier Sarr, who averages 13ppg and 9.4 rebounds. Syracuse should be able to score in this game. Wake Forest turns the ball over a ton, and Syracuse should be able to capitalize in transition for a good portion of the game. The only issue will be if Syracuse either can't stop Sarr, or Sarr gets Syracuse into foul trouble, like they were in at Clemson. If Syracuse manages to keep their top personnel in the game, and the lane is clogged well, if the numbers hold true Wake won't do much damage from three. Syracuse should have a nice 2nd half in this one however, and will likely loosen up the D and let Wake score fairly easy inside. But the lead will be enough it won't have much impact. I'm taking the Orange by 16.
This game is available on the ACC Network at 8:00pm. John isn't in the Dome, but will be watching on the road. I'm in the home office. We'll see you out there. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview