Syracuse students agree: It's good to beat every other school from your state on your schedule.
Syracuse has a close call against Northeastern on Wednesday, only making two shots from behind the arc. Buddy Boeheim and Alan Griffin combined for two points. Dolezaj had some pretty good looks near the basket, but they just didn't seem to fall. Syracuse is only playing UB, but another performance like that will spell another loss to Buffalo in the Dome.
Syracuse had an uncharacteristic night on Wednesday. After absolutely destroying Boston College on the road, Syracuse couldn't hit the ocean from a boat against Northeastern at home. Literally every player had an off night at the same time. The good thing is they were playing Northeastern. In theory it shouldn't happen two games in a row for everyone. I expect Boeheim or Griffin bust out. But obviously the smart money is feeding Guerrier again and again. Syracuse should run away with the game if they keep getting points off turnovers at the front of the Zone, but they are also getting good inside looks from Guerrier, to open up action for everyone else. On the other side, obviously the Zone allows some looks from three for Buffalo. But Buffalo isn't a big three point shooting team. Most of their points are earned inside, and mostly from Jeenathan Williams, who gets 20ppg. If Syracuse minds the paint and keeps track of Willaims inside, Syracuse should do enough to prevent the Bulls from staying close. I don't think Syracuse will have a down day. After getting an ass chewing from Boeheim at practice, I'm guessing they'll come out and be a little sharper than last time. I'm taking the Orange by 17.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 6:00pm. Both John and I will be watching. The battle for Upstate NY commences. GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: This game came together quick.
Syracuse put together this game seemingly within a week. But Northeastern wants a game and so does Syracuse. So the Huskies took a bus over I-90 to Syracuse to take on the Orange in the Dome. And with the team at full strength (minus Sidibe) coming of a monster win at Boston College, Syracuse is primed to have another big non-conference win.
Syracuse had a massive offensive day, earning their biggest win margin in an ACC game ever, as well has having all five starters in double digits, with Allen Griffin leading the way with 22 points. Syracuse had everything rolling, both inside and outside, and moved the ball extremely well. I expect that should continue today. Obviously the thing to watch out for is the continued good play of Joe Girard after a rough start to the year. Either way, Syracuse has moved the ball extremely well all season, getting 23 assists as a team against BC, and staying above 15 in every game of the season. Syracuse should do the same today as well. Northeastern has only played two games this season, both against UMass after a home and home. Previously Northeastern had games against Maine and UMass Lowell cancelled. However, in those two games, the Huskies only hit 12 of 34 shots from three. Northeastern is a team that prefers to do their damage in the lane, and they hit over 50% from two. As long as Syracuse manages to stay out of foul trouble, and play remotely solid defense, forcing Northeastern to take way more shots than they should, Syracuse should cruise to another big win. And I think that's exactly what will happen. Syracuse by 24.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 3:00pm. With the odd start time, pretend it's the ACC Tournament or something and sneak some views from your phone when the boss isn't watching. As always, GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: Boston is cooler than Chestnut Hill.
Syracuse heads to the greater Boston area to take on Boston College in their first ACC matchup of the season. A little early, but such is 2020. BC has been notoriously bad the last few years under Jim Christian. Can BC pull an early ACC win against the Orange?
Syracuse heads in fresh off their lost to a tough Rutgers squad, but the Orange had signs of life in that game, and really Rutgers was only able to pull away at the end of the game after a few missed shots from Syracuse. The Orange now have Buddy Boeheim back in the lineup, and will likely find himself in a rotation between Griffin and Girard. Girard has been forcing a lot of bad passes this season, as well as some straight up heat check shots, when he hasn't shown to be hot in the game yet at all. Having him just be the shooting guard, allowing Richmond, Griffin, and Boeheim to get time on the court should help the situation. The matchup of the game will likely be Dolezaj and Guerrier against six-foot-eight Steffon Mitchell on BC. At center he can't really score, but is a very good defender and rebounder. If Syracuse can keep the rebounding margin close with Dolezaj and Guerrier, and manage to get some scoring from either of them inside, rather than relying on outside shooting from Boeheim and the like, Syracuse will have a very good game. Syracuse played well at BC last year, thanks to a stand out game from Sidibe. Obviously he's sidelined, but if Dolezaj stays in the game and is productive, that should neutralize any advantage Mitchell brings for BC. It would help if Syracuse got some early fouls on him as well. Either way, despite the loss at Rutgers, I'm confident with Boeheim back in the lineup Syracuse will have a good day, at least better than the Eagles. Syracuse by 13.
This game is available on ESPN U at 1:00pm. I'll be watching, along with John. Enjoy your football free Saturday and GO ORANGE! And remember... BC SUCKS AND ALWAYS WILL!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge Syracuse - Rutgers Preview
0 Comments Published on 12.08.2020 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: We're too young to remember Syracuse beating Rutgers.
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge returns, and Syracuse is heading to the RAC to take on #21 Rutgers. Both teams are wearing throwbacks tonight, so it will have a vintage feel in the RAC. I'm assuming it will be another empty venue in NJ, so it will just be basketball versus basketball in an early test for this Syracuse team.
Yes, Syracuse has traveled from New York State before January. As with a lot of these early games over the years, it will most likely go one of two ways. Either Syracuse will allow Rutgers to score at will, and Syracuse will close in the 2nd half, but lose a fairly close game. Or, the Syracuse defense will show up, they will create turnovers, and get a comfortable lead in the 2nd half. However, this game will likely be fairly close wire to wire if Syracuse's defense is working like we saw against Rider and even Bryant. Syracuse will need to find and contain Ron Harper Jr. he's currently averaging 21 points and 7.7 rebounds. The defense has consistently gotten better since the start of the year (practice... what do you know?), and it helps that Richmond is longer at the top of the Zone when he's in. Syracuse has looked much sharper on offense the last two games as well. And if Syracuse shoots as well from three as they did against Rider, Syracuse could have a cushy victory over a ranked team. Rutgers has allowed over 35% from behind the arc in their last two games. If Syracuse is able to find success shooting, that will force Rutgers to guard the perimeter, which will obviously free Dolezaj and Guerrier to go HAM inside the paint. Rutgers is a pretty good team. But I think Syracuse will surprise some people in this one. I'm taking Syracuse over Rutgers at the RAC by eight.
This game is available in the late slot of 9:30pm on ESPN 2. Both John and I will be watching from the command centers. Stay frosty, party like it's 2003-2013, and GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: This one is another easy one.
After the scare that was Bryant, Syracuse took care of Niagara easily on Thursday. In a feeling of normal, Syracuse should again easily dispatch another non-conference foe in the Carrier Dome. The question is, by how much?
Syracuse's game plan should again be simple. Run the offense through Merek Dolezaj, get rebounds, and easy buckets off steals. Nothing complicated in this one. Syracuse should just run solid, boring offense and it should come away with a win. The Orange do need to watch out for G Christian Ings, the best player on Rider. However, it's him and that's basically it. As long as Syracuse matches up on Ings so he doesn't get unconscious from distance Syracuse should be on easy street again. Look for more extended minutes from Braswell, Richmond, and even Edwards. I would like to think Girard will bounce back a bit as well, after 2 full games under his belt. But who knows? Not sure if Buddy Boeheim is cleared to be back in the game, but even without him like on Thrusday, this should be a solid game inside the paint from the Orange. Expect some highlights from Guerrier and Richmond again. With my confidence restored after the Niagara win, Syracuse over Rider by 28.
This game is available regionally at 7:00pm. Check your local listings here (this link was for Niagara, but the same stations are covering this one). Or watch online. I'll be watching. John is out of pocket tonight, but sending him some good thoughts. GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview
God speed to us all.
Syracuse heads to South Bend, COVID-19 hot spot (what isn't these days [although at least kids aren't on campus right now, and in the stands]) and the home of Notre Dame, who is atop the standing in the conference they aren't really in. They've already clinched a spot in the ACC Championship. Can Syracuse spoil senior day for ND like it's 2008?
The answer is most likely not. But stranger things have happened. Either way, Rex Culpepper will be back under center for the Orange. But what will likely happen, is like what has happed the last few games. Syracuse's defense will manage some good plays, and possibly even keep ND from kicking field goals instead of getting TDs. But Syracuse will probably not be able to score, at least in keeping up with Notre Dame. Ian Book will likely dominate the Orange. And while not as bad, it will probably be like the game two years ago in Yankee Stadium. No real X's and O's needed. It's the last game of the year for Syracuse. 1/3rd of the team is either injured or has opted out. This year couldn't end soon enough. ND over the Orange 48 to 10.
This game is available nationally on NBC at 2:30pm. At least Mike Tirico is calling it. both John and I are obviously in the home offices. Enjoy as much as you can until basketball later tonight and GO ORANGE!
Syracuse students agree: A wet court gets a game cancelled/moved.
Syracuse returns to action tonight after several actual days of practice. But they learned that Bourama Sidibe will be out for around a month from tearing his meniscus. Syracuse will soldier on through their non-conference schedule, taking on Greg Paulus' Niagara squad.
I was getting ready to write my preview and explain how Merek Dolezaj would be primarily playing center, and that rebounding would be up to him and mainly Guerrier at the four. As long as Joe Girard didn't play as bad as he did against Bryant, Syracuse would probably be fine. Niagara hasn't had many practices due to their own COVID outbreak, so Syracuse would have a good chance to smash them, especially since they are not good at offensive rebounds, or rebounding in general. But literally as I'm about to type the preview SU reported that a player tested positive, and players that have been traced through exposure will be sitting out. The University has not said who those players are yet. Either way, Syracuse should win. But it could be a thin margin again. And I have no idea who is playing or who isn't. So your guess is as good as mine. SU over the Purple Eagles by seven.
This game is available regionally at 8:00pm. Check your local listings here. I'll be watching with an online delay. John will be watching from the home office. Strap in, this one's gonna be crazy one way or the other. GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Preview