One loss to Georgetown doesn’t make a season, but that disaster on Saturday has left all of Orange Nation dazed and confused. On an afternoon that meant so much, how could Syracuse give so little? Of all the moments to come up small, to play tentatively and haphazardly, how was it in front of 35,000+ fans?
While Evil Otto’s 33 points was the individual story, it’s impossible to overlook how pathetic and toothless the offense looked for SU. Keep in mind the Orange average 74.1 points per game (second in the Big East behind only Louisville at 74.2). This squad put up 108 vs, Monmouth, 90 vs. Arkansas and Central Connecticut State, and notched 80 points 6 other times. Hell, the Orange netted 62 points outdoors. On an air craft carrier.
- MCW stunk
So how, in the season’s biggest moment, did Syracuse shoot 34% from the field and total a measly 46 points? Part of the blame clearly falls on Michael Carter-Williams. To play that erratically, to be that hesitant on putting up shots (only 2-6), was difficult to swallow. He’s the floor leader, the point guard in command of the offense and too often he seemed without a plan while approaching the offensive set.
- No depth
The front court was also disastrous. While we shouldn’t hold our breath for the entire thing to turn around when Dajuan Coleman returns, it’s nearly unfathomable to get 3 points combined from Rak Christmas and Jerami Grant (who both started). The rotation only went 8 deep Saturday, and a combined 12 minutes went to Grant and Trev Cooney (who combined for a single point). That essentially means SU played its fiercest rival, a top 15 opponent, with six guys.
- Inability to collapse on Porter
The zone defense is particularly agonizing when an opposing scorer gets hot, and SU cannot individually man him up. The 2-3 is specially about guarding a spot on the floor, not a player, So when Otto starts chucking up shots (and they’re going in), there is no ability to squeeze him on both sides with two of your best defenders. It’s an inherent flaw in the scheme, but Jim Boeheim has played the odds for 30+ years. You roll the dice the Otto Porter games are few and far between. But holding an opponent to 57 points means you had every chance to win it no matter what one player did against you.
It doesn’t get much easier tonight, having to go on the road to take on Marquette. But if the Orange have the necessary guts for a March run, it’ll show it tonight.
Posted: D.A.
10 responses to “Syracuse Must Rebound at Marquette: 3 Biggest Reasons for Hoyas Loss”
we played Georgetown’s game, plain and simple. Slowed pace. Hoyas run 30 seconds off the shot clock and then out rebound SU. Which lead to too many second chances points for the hoyas.
My biggest concern was SU’s inability to score AGAINST Georgetown’s 2-3 Zone. That’s a tough one to swallow.
My hope is they rebound tonight against Marquette. I hate Buzz Williams and a wind here is needed….badly.
Just what you said in the last sentence.
Do they have the guts? Can this team led by Triche/Southerland as seniors and MCW from the point, play with a game long tenacity?
The team has talent by the buckets…but what about the “stones”?
Bad shot selection. All we do is chuck up forced 3’s and we are not even that good of a shooting team. No post presence or inside game hurts us. I really think we should press more to force the up tempo cause that’s the only way we are going to score, but we lack depth at the guard spot so we can’t press and tire out our guys too much. Its been a fun year, but really this team is only a sweet sixteen type team at the most, unless we get incredible matchups in the tourney. The teams with Wes (where we lost Arinze) and last year’s team (with Fab) were ones, by this time year, you could see winning it all. We will never know what could of been with Arinze and Fab, but what I do know is that this year’s squad is not gelling at the right time.
God I miss SUFB already. DA don’t forget about football!! We heard about BB since July 2012!! Any kind of SUFB info please!!
@Terry, this blog posts information about football like 80% of the time compared to like 20% for basketball… it is not football season and is nowhere near football season… whereas we are in the heart of basketball season right now… so honestly right now every article on here should be about basketball not football…
Gotta stop being so fickle with how we treat MCW… we either think he’s a great top 10 PG who’s gonna leave and be a top 10 lottery pick in the NBA OR he’s an average PG with a poor jump shot, bad decision making, questionable ball handling, makes some bad passes, and takes some bad shots and he should come back another year… it can’t be both
Remember,this is MCW first year starting.He plays likr frosh at times and this game was one of those times. It is understandable that there will be growing pains. His lack of physical development causes him difficulty finishing in traffic. Jump passes in the lane that work against Hofstra lead to TOs against GT. Team got excited and were jacking up 3s early in the game when could have dealt fatal early deathblow. Seniors should have known better. I have said from beginning we would go as far as center position takes us. You can’t beat a good team like GT 4 on 5. Lack of inside threat takes away inside out 3 ball – typically a more open look. GT only scores 57 and we lose by double digits at home? Weaknesses exposed by well coached team. How we respond and learn from these game lessons will give us a good preview of what to expect in March. But a double double from Rak would sure be nice.
They need to be forced to have the same number of shots in the low post as they do from deep. Guarantee Rakeem and Keita do not go 4-20 from the low post area. SU has to stop ignoring offense in the lane. “Making 33% from deep is the same as 50% inside the arc” is great, except when you go 4-20 or 4-23 on threes, you don’t need to shoot 50% on twos to win.
Kev
Its 100% BB today!!
#3 is basically J-south. He’s forgotten how to play a lick of D. Half the time he’s ball watching or he’s a step behind relying on his athleticism to make up for his lazy ass D. Don’t understand y grant hasn’t played more. I get that J-south spreads the floor but for what? MCW gets in the lane and isn’t strong enough to finish at the rim and BT seems like he is allergic to driving to the tin and drawing a foul. So basically his 4 three’s a game are voided when he’s giving up 12+ points on the other end.
Everyone rags on our big guys but I don’t have a huge issue /w them. MCW and BT never give them the ball even when they do have post position, usually settleing for some god awful chuck and duck 3 or MCW now famous drive in the lane no look jump pass that leads to 2 points the other way. If I was Rak, DC and BMK I would be disinterested as well watching BT, MCW and J-South chuck up awful shots and turn the ball over.
Did I already mention Grant needs to play more? COME ON JB!!
Lastly Fair needs to put J-south, BT and MCW in place and demand the ball. If any of those three turn the ball over or chuck up a three before he touches the ball they need to get the hook for grant and coony period. Quick way to end this garbage basketball.