Syracuse - Houston NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Preview
1 Comments Published on 3.27.2021 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: I'm a fucking bucket.
The Syracuse Orange advanced "unexpectedly" after taking out the #6 seed San Diego State and the #3 West Virginia Mountaineers. The 2-3 Zone did exactly what you'd expect it would in March, confusing teams who don't regularly see it. Meanwhile Buddy Buckets kept dropping dimes from deep at a clip of 56%. Insane. Can the upset train keep rolling?
Syracuse takes on Houston out of the AAC. Yes, now that UConn is back in the Big East, several teams are vying for the top spot, with Houston looking the best. They are top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency. But that being said, the AAC is a weaker league, Houston hasn't seen much Zone this year like WVU, and one of their best players, Guard DeJon Jarreau will likely only be at 75% at best. He has been hitting nearly 37% from distance and is good on defense. Syracuse will have to shut down the shooters like they have all Tournament so far, starting with Jarreau, but also Quentin Grimes, who's hitting 41.7%. If Syracuse can find them, and make Houston attempt to beat the Zone inside, meanwhile Syracuse is making buckets, things will go like last weekend. I can't wait. I think the stars are aligned for Syracuse to advance. And in the most decimated region, things can happen for Syracuse. However, if you've been following this Tournament, I'm still taking Houston by seven (but really Syracuse by 9).
This game is available at 9:55pm on TBS (very funny). Both John and I will be watching. Plenty of time to still get loose before the game tonight. LET'S GO ORANGE!
Syracuse - San Diego State NCAA Tournament Round 1 Preview
0 Comments Published on 3.19.2021 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: Winning an NCAA Tournament game is the best win of the year.
Finally March Madness is back. And Syracuse made the Big Dance. Apparently fairly easily as they avoided a play in game unlike Michigan State. Syracuse takes on SDSU, who has won a huge streak of games and their conference tournament. Can Syracuse survive and advance?
Syracuse needs to do one thing above all to win the game. That is play good defense. Jordan Schakel shoots 46.7% from three. Syracuse must contest and basically never leave him open to force others to make plays, but they need to contest threes overall. SDSU doesn't get much production from the post, so if Syracuse can force the Aztec Frontcourt to have to score, they should be able to contest well and get some steals in the paint as well. If they allow SDSU to run free and make and take open shots, Buddy Boeheim can make 40 points, but they aren't likely to win. Syracuse either plays good defense, or they lose the game. It's as simple as that. The good news is, own the stretch in their last 4 games, Syracuse has played pretty good defense. Even against Virginia, they allowed the worst shooting player to take the last 3 of the game. He just happened to make it. Additionally, SDSU hasn't faced a Zone all season basically. That gives Syracuse an advantage because as we all know it's tough to simulate that Zone in practice. I want to make it clear, I picked Syracuse in this game. However, I'm now the most superstitious I am all year. Which means I'm taking SDSU by 5. But I think Syracuse is winning.
This game is available on CBS at 9:40pm. Both John and I will be watching. We'll see you out there. LET'S GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, NCAA, NCAA Tournament, Preview
The 2021 Orange::44 NCAA Tournament Bracket Bonanza!
0 Comments Published on 3.16.2021 by Brian Harrison
Let's see how many we can get wrong this time!
Since this went so swimmingly with the ACC Tournament (and COVID forfeits), JBren and I are back. This time with the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse a solid 11 seed in the "Midwest" first takes on SDSU. John has them going a little farther than I do, but that's par for the course. Meanwhile we each have a different champ. See who will cut down the nets, and see who is replaced by Louisville (if anyone). Good luck out there, enjoy the games, and GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Bracket Challenge, Brackets, NCAA, NCAA Tournament
2021 ACC Tournament Quarterfinal Round Syracuse - Virginia Preview
0 Comments Published on 3.11.2021 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: Win, and the mystery on Selection Sunday is gone.
The premise is simple. Beat Virginia and there is no doubt Syracuse is in the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse is still on the bubble, but looking pretty good even if they don't win. But it's always nicer to find out where you're in and not if you're in. Either way, Syracuse has to play Virginia so let's get to it.
Syracuse got shredded inside by Sam Hauser in the last matchup. He would catch the ball in the paint, and then either drill a shot over Dolezaj, or make a pass for Jay Huff to make a three. Syracuse has obviously been better at both offense and defense lately. But Virginia is a very good team. Syracuse can win this, just like yesterday. But I'll keep the reverse jinx working and pick Virginia by 13.
This game is available on ESPN 2 at 12:00pm. Both John and I are in the away office so LET'S GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, ACC Tournament, Basketball, Preview
2021 ACC Tournament 2nd Round NC State - Syracuse Preview
0 Comments Published on 3.10.2021 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: Beating a team three times in a season is fun.
It's Tournament Time again. And Syracuse is facing NC State, a team they have beaten twice already this year. Will Syracuse blow it in that shithole Greensboro again, or can Syracuse advance to take on Virginia for a chance cement their likelihood to dance?
Buddy Boeheim has come alive in the last few weeks, averaging an even 21 points in his last five games. His shooting has helped spark Syracuse in their last two games. We talk a lot about having a go to guy on the team, and lately it has been either Buddy or Allen Griffin. The good news is Quincy Guerrier is 100% after knocking knees in a previous game. Additionally, the week of rest has seemed to do everyone some good as it sounds like the entire team is back at 100%. Syracuse did two things well against NC State in their two meetings. Shoot the 3 well, and get steals. Syracuse racked up 20 turnovers on NC State in their last meeting. They need to do that again. If Syracuse can get steals and keep pace with 3s in this one, this will be another win, close or not. If NC State gets Jericole Hellems going again, who torched Syracuse in Syracuse, and played well at home, Syracuse could be in for a long day. It's Tournament Time, so anything can happen. I do think Syracuse wins this one, but I'm more superstitious during March than any other time of the year. Therefore, I'm taking NC State by 5, but this is not real.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 12:00pm. John will be taking a long lunch. I'll have it on somewhere I'm sure. Hopefully we'll see you tomorrow and GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, ACC Tournament, Basketball, Preview
The 2021 Orange::44 ACC Tournament Bracket Extravaganza!
0 Comments Published on 3.08.2021 by Brian Harrison
It's time for brackets again!
Syracuse starts the ACC Tournament on Wednesday. But tomorrow the tournament in Greensboro (gross!) gets going. So John and I got to filling out some brackets. John is more optimistic than me about the ultimate fate of Syracuse, but we both have a team from the Commonwealth of Virginia hoisting the trophy. We both call the first round the same, then we diverge wildly. Who's right? We'll find out right after this. For the record I'm hoping John is more right. But we could both end up jackasses. We'll see. GO ORANGE and enjoy! Just try not to be overrated this week.
Labels: ACC, ACC Tournament, Brackets
Syracuse students agree: Gotta end the regular season with a win.
Syracuse managed a nice win at home on Monday against UNC. Now Syracuse can avenge another road loss with Clemson to wrap up this COVID season. Syracuse needs a win either way.
The last game against Clemson wasn't good. While the Clemson defense is pretty good, it wasn't as good as keeping Syracuse to 30% from the floor and 25% from three. It was an off night on the road for almost the entire team. Boeheim, Griffin, and even Richmond all had bad nights in extended minutes. Joe Girard was the only player that managed a pretty good game for Syracuse, making 7-13 from the floor for 19 points. The real issue was Syracuse didn't make shots, and Clemson shot 43.5% from three and 52.9% overall. And obviously Syracuse has some defensive issues, but like their offensive performance, Syracuse is capable of better. So tonight is pretty simple. Syracuse either plays better defense and shoots the ball better, or Clemson wins again. They are on a five game win streak, so they have the ability to get hot. Syracuse must cover Nick Honor, who made 5-8 from three. Otherwise it's a senior night loss for Syracuse, with a lot of games in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro to go for Syracuse to have any confidence at all on this messed up Selection Sunday. Syracuse is capable of winning, just like they did Monday. Especially with Boeheim hot and the newfound Jesse Edwards playing above his expectations. Just for superstition's sake, I'm taking Clemson by nine.
This game is available on The ACC Network at 5:00pm. Enjoy and GO ORANGE! Thanks to the seniors, especially if they aren't coming back next year.
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview
Syracuse students agree: It's preferable to make sure Roy doesn't get #901.
Syracuse is likely outside looking in. Either way, Syracuse still doesn't have their intended starting center. And earlier this season, Syracuse was relatively dominated by UNC. Can Syracuse get one back against them at home?
UNC is still a team that attacks the basket and the paint, and doesn't make a ton of 3s. That's exactly how it played out in the first game. Bacot and Brooks weren't quite unstoppable in the paint, but pretty close. Guerrier did well, earning a game high 23 points. And Boeheim had 18 points, hitting 4-9 from three. Honestly, this game should go the same way. UNC will bang the boards and shoot in the paint. Syracuse will get some production in the paint, but will rely on Boeheim, Griffin, and others to make shots. The game was close the first time, with UNC only winning by six points. Syracuse does have a shot to win this one. But I'm still taking UNC by 13.
This game is available on ESPN at 7:00pm. I'm off the grid tonight. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Basketball, Preview