Syracuse students agree: It's pretty close to do or die.
Well it isn't early January. Which means that if Syracuse does lose to G'Tech, there are actually Tournament implications, unlike when that usually happens. Syracuse has been very high and very low in their last two games. Which Syracuse ended up in Georgia? We'll find out.
Everyone, more or less, thinks Syracuse is going to lose to G'Tech. G'Tech is slightly favored both by Vegas, ESPN, and KenPom. G'Tech is pretty good at two things, offense and stealing the ball. Syracuse, specifically Marek Dolezaj, will be outmatched down low. Moses Wright is 6'9". However, it's not the height, it's the weight. Dolezaj will likely be dominated inside because he's not the same level of bulk. Syracuse will likely have problems inside stopping them, much like Pittsburgh and UNC. The only way Syracuse will win is if they are able to make 3s. They just need to outscore G'Tech. A tough task though. Both teams are likely to get steals for points, but Syracuse needs to make sure Buddy takes and makes 3s. Either way, it's not likely based on how easy it will probably be for G'Tech to score inside. I'm taking G'Tech by 13.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 12:00pm. See you out there. GO ORANGE!
Syracuse students agree: Beating Duke is great, no matter the circumstances.
After a major comeback win, being down 20 points to Notre Dame on Saturday, Syracuse turns right around with a TON of momentum to take on Duke down in North Carolina. While Syracuse isn't dead without beating Duke, it would go a long way to get them on the right side of the bubble. So can Syracuse again rise to the occasion and pull the win off down in Durham?
Syracuse obviously had a huge lift with Buddy Boeheim exploding against Notre Dame, after a dismal first half by the team. Obviously, if Buddy Boeheim is clicking and making shots, that not only is good for Syracuse on the scoreboard, but it pulls defenders who have to guard Boeheim closer, to free up other options on offense. And getting Boeheim in the flow will be critical in helping break up the good defense of Duke, especially Jordan Goldwire, who steals the ball a ton off the bench for Syracuse. But really, it comes down to Syracuse defending, just like Saturday. F Matthew Hurt is the man Syracuse will have to stop. He's averaged over 20 points in his last 3 games, and Syracuse needs to make sure he has no easy buckets. It seems like Syracuse can be relied upon in scoring a decent clip. The key is can Syracuse adjust earlier than the half, like they did against Notre Dame, and keep Duke either close or behind to control down the stretch. An fairly empty Cameron should help the cause as well. I'm just a little superstitious at this point in picking Syracuse in a highly contested game. Despite having a ton of momentum and confidence after Saturday, Duke is on their own winning streak. Just because they are at home, I'm taking Duke in a close one. Blue Devils unfortunately by seven.
This game is available on ESPN (obviously) at 7:00pm. Beat Duke and LET'S GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Duke, Preview, We Hate Duke
Syracuse students agree: Beating Notre Dame is always good, resume or not.
Unfortunately for Syracuse, a chance for Syracuse to earn a big win was cancelled due to another COVID positive in Louisville. Either way, a streaky Notre Dame team comes into the Dome to take on Syracuse. And Syracuse needs to keep winning. Syracuse has a good chance with a Notre Dame team that started the year poorly, but has managed to win some good games as of late. Notre Dame is basically a team with good offense, and poor defense and rebounding. Notre Dame does what Notre Dame always does. They shoot the 3 well. They hit 38.1% from three as a team, and Nate Laszewski hits over 50%. It's pretty simple. Syracuse will either defend the three point line as they have against NC State and BC, or they'll defend like they did against Virginia and Clemson. Syracuse, especially Griffin, has been a lot better at defending lately. So Syracuse will continue to do that, and create turnovers against a team that normally doesn't, or they won't. If they let Laszewski run wild, the game will be over quick. The good news is that Syracuse should have a bit of a rebounding edge against ND, so if Syracuse defends the line well enough to prevent easy, open looks for Notre Dame, it should be a one and done possession for the Irish. Syracuse, in theory, should win this game, but obviously they need to defend. I'm taking a flyer on Syracuse in this one at home. Syracuse over Notre Dame by six.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 2:00pm. Notre Dame sucks and LET'S GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Notre Lame, Preview
Syracuse students agree: Winning is pretty important at this point.
Syracuse did a good job to come back against NC State in the Dome last week. But then Syracuse traveled to Clemson and got smacked around. Now Syracuse needs to get wins against anyone ahead of them. Since Syracuse beat them earlier in the year, Syracuse has a chance to do the same on the road against NC State.
Syracuse came back against NC State by scoring from Allen Griffin, along with Kadary Richmond soring 14 off the bench on 6-7 shooting from the floor. Additionally, Boeheim, Dolezaj, and Guerrier.. Syracuse really struggled to stop Jericole Hellems from scoring at will. He had 24 in the loss. But he carved up Syracuse inside. The difference today is that Sidibe has returned to the team, an was at least effective in altering shots and provided some offense in their last game. Stopping Braxton Beverly from behind the arc, will also be important for Syracuse. But again, NC State is not a powerhouse shooting team. If Syracuse comes out and makes baskets before even needing to drive inside, they will probably win the game. If they aren't, and are forced to drive, Syracuse will have to make the bunnies they have missed the last few games. Honestly this game could go either way. If Syracuse is able to get a lead and not allow NC State to run wild on offense in the first half, the good news is Syracuse has the experience to close a close game out. They have won more close games this season than they have lost. So in a close game, even on the road, I would give the advantage to Syracuse. But Syracuse hasn't played well on the road, and after the Clemson game I just don't have faith that Syracuse can stop scorers and go out and shoot the lights out. In a close one I'll give the advantage to NC State for being at home. NC State by 8.
This game is available at 6:30pm on The ACC Network. Home Office. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: This would be a nice little win.
Syracuse pulled out a close game against NC State after a dreadful first half of defense. Syracuse adjusted, made some nice offensive plays, and came out the winner against fellow bubble team NC State. Syracuse now has a chance for another solid win, this time on the road, down at Clemson.
This is an interesting matchup on paper. Syracuse has one of the more efficient offenses in the country, ranking in the top 40. Clemson has the 14th best defense in the country and forces 15.4 turnovers a game. If Syracuse is careless with the ball, Clemson will take advantage. However, the Clemson offense ranks dead last in the ACC, and they are 227th in the country in three point shooting. That's very good news for a team that plays exclusively 2-3 Zone defense. Either Clemson will be forced to make tough shots inside a packed zone, or they will have to jack up a bunch of threes when that isn't their game at all. That bodes well for a Syracuse team in a game that could see the return of Bourama Sidibe, who at the very least could grab some rebounds and block some shots, if not get a few put backs of his own. Syracuse will have to score on the other end as well, and if they get hot, this game should be over. If Syracuse plays even a modicum of defense, and covers Aamir Simms, the only player scoring in double figures for Clemson, Syracuse has a chance to run away with a road win. The more I look at this game on paper, the more my mouth waters and I'm talking myself into a big win. I may get let down, but I'm here for it. Syracuse over Clemson by 14.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 2:00pm. Home office as usual. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview