#14 North Carolina - #6 Syracuse ACC Tournament Second Round Preview
0 Comments Published on 3.11.2020 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: Spring Break isn't as fun as winning a Tournament.
Syracuse limped into the 6 Seed in the ACC Tournament. Syracuse is basically playing for NIT seeding at this point. So will the team show up and compete, or will they have an early exit in Greensboro again?
Syracuse was murdered by UNC 92-79 a couple weeks ago in Syracuse. Now Syracuse can get redemption. But first and foremost, if Syracuse wants to win this game, they MUST DEFEND THREE POINT BASKETS. Syracuse let BC get 19 in their game. Cole Anthony had seven in the Dome. But the real issue was Garrison Brooks earning 25 points against Syracuse. Hughes will be playing the entire game. If Syracuse is able to play decent defense, and make some three point baskets, they'll win. If not, Syracuse will lose again. It's simple. Syracuse must play the best defense of the year to advance to play Louisville, another team that crushed them this season. Either way, there is no evidence, other than at Virginia, Syracuse has demonstrated they can stop big men. This game will be a little closer, but Syracuse will still probably lose by a good amount. UNC over Syracuse by 9.
This game is available on ESPN 2 at 9:00pm*. Both John and I are watching from home, like everyone will be after tonight. Stay safe and stay healthy. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, ACC Tournament, Basketball, Preview
Another trip down to Greensboro for the Orange.
Syracuse took a tough loss on Saturday to end the regular season in overtime. What made it even more brutal was First Team All-ACC and conference leading scorer Elijah Hughes was sitting on the bench the entire second half. While it seems unlikey this season that Syracuse advances far enough to make the NCAA Tournament, they are still playing to keep playing in the postseason. Plus, conference tournaments are always a blast. John and I try our hands in trying to predict how the ACC Tournament will go. We both have Louisville hoisting the trophy, but we have very different winners before the Championship. Click below to enjoy (apologies for mine not being handwritten, but I wanted it to be in color, and my office doesn't have a color printer like Johnny McCounty below).
Labels: ACC, ACC Tournament, Basketball, BC Sucks, Louisville Sucks, Notre Lame, Pittsburgh, Preview, We Hate Duke
Syracuse students agree: Winning the last regular season game would be nice.
Syracuse did their job at Boston College on Tuesday. But now Syracuse has a chance to get another win before heading to Greensboro in the ACC Tournament. Seeding and potential friendly matchups are also on the line in this one. Can Syracuse get it done in Miami?
Syracuse has another favorable matchup in this one, with Miami playing without a dominant big man, and not shooting the long ball well. Miami's best player is Chris Lykes, who averages 15.2 points a game. The good news is he only makes 37.4% from behind the arc, so it's likely if he gets hot, it will be because he's able to get to the basket. Miami isn't a particularly tall team, and Lykes is only 5-foot-7, meaning either Sidibe, Dolezaj, or Guerrier should be able to cover him in the paint well. Miami also isn't particularly good at earning rebounds, so we should see a bit of a repeat of Sidibe in his last few games. He should be able to get rebounds and easy put backs for some quick points for Syracuse. Hughes was red hot against BC, and he was red hot against Miami last season, dropping 22 on the 'Canes. Expect him to have another good game, like he had against Boston College. He was virtually unguardable, and with Miami being a smaller team, Hughes should find success all over the floor. This is a 1 point spread, but I see Syracuse earning a convincing victory in their last regular season game of the year. Syracuse over Miami by 13.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 4:00pm. John and I will be watching in the home office. Enjoy the game after a convincing lax win, and GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: If Syracuse can't beat BC, we should just end the season.
Syracuse blew it against UNC last Saturday. But the good news is Syracuse takes on Boston College, the team Syracuse absolutely crushed earlier in the year. BC, the cure for what ails you.
The Eagles are still one of the worst shooting teams in the league, only making 30.1% from long range. They are also one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Just like the last game. Jay Heath is the best shooter on BC. If anyone is getting hot from long range, it's Heath. However, that's still fairly unlikely. He's only scoring 12.9 points a game and shooting 37% from three. Yes, that is the leading scorer for Boston College. BC also has no real inside scoring threat. I don't believe BC even attempted a hot inside the arc for the first eight minutes of the game in Syracuse. This game, while closer due to the fact they are at home and won't miss everything they missed in Syracuse, should still be heavily in Syracuse's favor. Look for Boeheim to contribute, as he lit up the Eagles in the lat meeting. Obviously Hughes will Add points. But Sidibe contributing on offense his been the real X Factor lately. Syracuse should be able to score against the Eagles, while limiting their opportunities. Syracuse has been one of the most efficient teams in the fast break, and BC doesn't have a good defense. O0range over the Boston College Eagles by 16.
This game is available on ESPN 2 at 7:00pm. I'll be in the Conte Forum not in Boston, while John will be in the home office. I'll see you out there. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, BC Sucks, Preview