Syracuse just continues to win. Every game has seemingly had some rough patches, but the Orange always seems get it done. However, there are certainly some concerns despite the 28-1 record. SU has struggled to put teams away, and seems to ease off the gas when it grabs a lead. Dion Waiters has been hot and cold, James Southerland can’t hit a shot, and the half court offense has struggled at times. But the biggest concern has to be the disappearance of Brandon Triche, and his poor play over the last month.
- Order your Fizz “My 5 Orange” shirt: Fab & Dion & Scoop…¬†
Why are Triche’s problems such a concern? He seems to lack confidence on the court. Brandon looks lost, hangs his head, has spent long stretches on the bench, and just can‚Äôt finish right now.
Ever since his 18-point outburst against West Virginia, Triche‚Äôs numbers on the offensive end have been brutal for a player of his caliber. He hasn‚Äôt broken double-digits once in the last 6 games (he’s tallied 4, 7, 5, 8, 5 and 3 points despite averaging nearly 22 minutes per night). He hasn’t shot well and can’t finish around the rim. He has shot just 11-for-38 over this stretch, and just doesn‚Äôt look right. His uncle Howard Triche spoke with Brent Axe on the Score 1260, and has a theory:
“Brandon sometimes thinks too much on the court instead of just reacting.”
Brandon has talked about this himself. He‚Äôs a more cerebral player trying to think everything through instead of just using his instincts. But he also looks to be lacking confidence on the floor, slumping his shoulders after mistakes. After he missed a shot against USF, he seemed to hang his head as Scoop Jardine clapped at him and told him “Let’s go!” Positive sign from a leader like Scoop, but where does that leave Brandon?
At some point it simply comes down to Triche understanding how important he is to the team, and what he can do on the court. Many including ESPN’s Jay Bilas have called him the best player on the team, and even if that’s a stretch, he’s much better than he has shown recently.
Syracuse needs Triche to step up if it plans on making its karmic trip to New Orleans. Single-digit points and 30% shooting is not enough from a crucial member of this team. Obviously there are other areas SU can be better, but guards get it done in March and that needs to be the case for Triche.
Posted: Alex Plavin
14 responses to “What’s Wrong with Syracuse’s Brandon Triche? Body Language Tells the Story”
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dont think it has anything to do with his body language…… look at any player in the world after they miss a shot or make a mistake youll see them disappointed, that really has nothing to do with it, after hell still hustle and get back on d or try an get a rebound. Waiters last year, after a mistake would show poor body language and not get back on d, which became detrimental to the team, but that is nothing like triche. I was actually impressed with brandon against USF (although he alone was the reason that game got close again, they had theyre foots on usf throats and three staight triche mistakes gave life back to them and shifted momentum) there was a stretch where he was driving to the hoop at will no matter how many defenders were on him but just couldnt make the layup, and triche is the type to remember exactly what mistakes he made and he will work on them for hours to try and fix the issue. Think about it he has the hard part down it was the easy part in the layups he messed up and I dont have any concerns of him not making them in the future. I also disagree with you on the fact that triche’s main issues from previous games is that he has been too deffernt to his teamate and not agressive enough, he actually has been really agressive latley but his shot just hasnt been falling. People always want to overcomplicated these things by saying its mental issues, body language, confidence but it is a way more simpler issue then that, his shots just arent falling as much right now, and thats why Im not worried at all about him hes a good shooter and they will starts falling again. This is always a rough part of the season and players dont have the time to rest and work on their mechanic like they normally, it happens evry season this time of year, see uconns results this time of season last year, see su’s “magical” (some on said this team was way more magical then this years which is idiotic) 09-10 teams results- almost identical but with more losses at this point in the season (blew out nova on game day tho so im hoping su has similar results vs uconn) hell look at how uk has been playing lately, people are starting to admit they have looked very vulnerable latley and then go on to say but they win cus there taht good, and SU has similar results against better competion and evryone just blasts the hell out of them, the double standard people have had makes my head spin, and then when people tell them they dont give SU love theyll say theyre ranked #2 so they must get plenty love. (sorry for the rant there its just people are getting really nitpicky lately and they just need to take a breath and realize this is how it always is this time of the season, its a total grind, but SU is still 28-1 and not even playing 25% of theyre potential, they are toying with teams right now, have had a #1 seed locked up a long time ago so really dont have anything to play for right now)
I’ve noticed since the WVU game Brandon has been kinda getting down on himself and the mental mistakes he’s been making are really jabbing at him. You can tell.
Hopefully he can work through the funk or rut he’s in and be good to go for March.
I don’t think SU can assume that they have a #1 seed locked up. No one saying that will be in the room when the committee sets the field. In my opinion, this article is right on point, and if anything, was overdue. Brandon committing bad turnovers, badly missing 15 footers he can hit in his sleep and missing consecutive layups let USF back in the game. Now, we all have to admit that USF was better than we thought. I’m sure the same is true of the SU team. I agree with Howard Triche’s assessment of his nephew. He’s over-thinking. I have said it repeatedly but will say it again: Brandon needs to either talk with a sports psychologist or try hypnotherapy. It may sound nuts, but if it works and Brandon’s scoring 12-15 points per game like he should, then it was effective. Brandon is clearly frustrated, and a bit discouraged. However, the fact that JB put him in when Dion was being a total ball hog in the second half had to lift his spirits a bit. Brandon just needs to trust his instincts and play without over-thinking. If it takes a psychologist to get him to that point, then it needs to be done, and really should already have been done. You aren’t nitpicking either. This is a concern. SU needs good guard play to win it all. Right now, Scoop is playing well, but Dion and Brandon are both struggling. They both need to get it together. Dion needs to be a better teammate and Brandon needs to get his head straight.
I would have to say that even when he is playing great and making good decisions, JB is yanking him and putting in Dion Devendorf. That would be difficult for any star player…..Brandon just complains less that is why JB goes with Dion – sorry, Dion is no better…
Kevin I understand your points about Triche, but he is different than most of these guys with the confidence and his body language on the court. He has immense talent and is big and strong yet disappears into the background far too often. It’s good that he’s still shooting, but he simply needs to finish better and be more of a factor. It seems to be deeper than shots just not falling he’s thinking about it and it’s hurting him. Orangeskin you make an interesting point with the sports therapist. I don’t know how much it would help him, but it certainly seems like it couldn’t hurt. I still think Brandon can and NEEDS to turn it around for this team but something in his approach has to change, or he can just stop missing easy layips and jumpers he normally makes
I love this team as much as anyone and I REALLY try not to be the typical negative SU fan. But I just don’t see them getting past the sweet 16 if they do not figure out how to shoot the basketball, and stop coming out of the gate so slow. That will cost them once they get to that level and the competition is better. Sometimes I wonder how they are 28-1.
Theyve done it 17 times and lost once to a pretty competative big east I say hell they wanna start slow go ahead I’ll tell you this 28 outta 29 times theyll win.
As much as I’d love to see Brandon get it going offensively, I’d just as much like to see JB play Michael Carter-Williams more. Besides for the fact that he’s a freshman, I don’t know why MCW doesn’t get more looks. In his limited opportunities, he’s done great in my opinion. He can flat out make shots including the 3 point shot that we desperately need. He’s honestly a pretty good ball handler and he hardly ever turns the ball over (in fact I think he’s better than Scoop in that regard). Keep alternating Dion & Brandon in the off guard spot, but please JB let’s get MCW some more PT… I think he’s an adequate replacement for Scoop for at least 10-12 min. On another note, I’d also like to see Rakeem Christmas get more PT. I don’t know about you guys, but Baye Keita is just not cutting it lately as Fab’s replacement. Not saying we should cut Keita out of the rotation completely, but instead of giving Keita 7 min & X-Mas 4 min like in the last game vs. UCONN, why not play Christmas for 10 min & Keita for 2-4?
Blah! Blah!! Hurry up football season.
Theocuse says it all as far as I am concerned. Compare Dion’s shooting average and Tiche’s. Most people give Brandon the edge in defense. It is an embarrassment to be ROUTINELY pulled after 4 plus minutes every game. Switch their times on the floor and you may see Brandon improve. And JB does not worry about Dion’s self confidence so this should be no problem. Points scored by players off the bench sound good but there may be better ways to win ball games without waiting for a couple of players to pull us through in the last minutes.
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