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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
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