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The Syracuse offense has become stale lately. Even worse than that last batch of Dome dogs from the concession stand. Coach Jim Boeheim won’t deny that. “We need to get better,” he’s uttered game after the game the last few weeks. One area JB is quick to defend is his defense, the 2-3 zone he’s perfected over 38 years.
“We’re second in the league in defense. We held Georgia Tech to 31 points in the first half, we held Virginia to 27 [in the first half]. I don’t think this a defensive problem.”
Sure, holding opponents to less than 60 points per game looks great in a vacuum. But the zone hasn’t threatened its opponents very much during Syracuse’s last 3 losses. Did Georgia Tech’s offense look like it was on its heels at all on Tuesday? If anything it looked like the more composed unit. Holding a team to 31 points looks alright on paper. But against the Yellow Jackets, SU forced just nine turnovers. Against UVA, just six. Syracuse forces nearly 14 per game and only mustered 15 in two. Trevor Cooney said the defense is lacking intensity.
‚ÄúIt just wasn‚Äôt active. We turned to [the press as well] at times, and early in the season we were able to force teams to make tough decisions and we were able to turn it over. That was when it was active, and it wasn‚Äôt active [against Georgia Tech].”
The Jackets flashed excellent ball movement all night long. The Cavaliers did the same on Saturday. And Syracuse hasn’t been able to force the turnovers it has normally done all season long. Yes, Tech only scored 67 points. But that’s because Head Coach Brian Gregory’s team was consistently working the shot clock down to five or 10 seconds. The Yellow Jackets looked poised and in total control on the offensive end. They weren’t rattled by SU’s defense.
The second problem with the zone lately has been the inability to locate the big men on the baseline and the free throw line. UVA and GT had two terrific forward combos. Mike Tobey (6’11”, 255 lbs) and Akil Mitchell (6’9”, 235 lbs) tracked down 10 total offensive rebounds and scored 18 of their combined 23 points on lay-ups or dunks.
Fast forward to Tuesday night against Georgia Tech. Daniel Miller (7’0”, 275 lbs) and Rob Carter Jr. (6’9” 250 lbs) pulled down 15 total boards and 16 of their combined 27 points were also on lay-ups or dunks. Tyler Ennis observed the biggest problem with the zone after the loss a few nights ago.
“It’s rebounding. We can get a lot better. Us guards as well, helping out the bigs. It’s tough, you got the guards crashing in for offensive rebounds, and I think anyone at the top could do a better job helping.”
The rebounding issue is in large part thanks to Jerami Grant’s absence. He grabs about sevens per game. But neither CJ Fair nor Michael Gbinije have done a specular job to help contain their opponents on the glass. The backside of the zone is a very vulnerable spot right now.
Just remember how many Dan Miller dunks we witnessed on Tuesday.
Syracuse has struggled against some of the ACC’s most complete centers. Miller compiled six blocks in addition to his 15 points. UVA outrebounded SU by 10. Even Garrick Sherman of Notre Dame (16 points, 8 rebounds v. SU on 2/3) and Jabari Parker (17 PPG, 9.5 RPG v. SU in two games) had some of their better games against the Orange. The defense needs a break. It needs Jerami Grant to come back healthy for the tournament. Because if not, Syracuse’s once “season of destiny” could come crashing down early in the NCAA Tournament.
Posted by: Kevin Fitzgerald
119 responses to “Syracuse Can’t Overlook Its Defensive Problems Heading Into Postseason”
There’s a problem in the baseline, with forwards not paying attention to bigs getting behind them, and not establishing rebounding position. There’s also been a problem all season long with slow close outs on three point attempts. They got lazy. They also aren’t as active, as Cooney said, in the passing lanes. The one time during the UVa game when they got active in the passing lanes, they took the lead late in the first half. That intensity did not carry over into the second half. Unfortunately, they got destroyed inside without Grant, but Rak should’ve been able to do more in both games. He doesn’t rebound enough, and doesn’t really do anything enough.He’s been nothing short of a disappointment.
I am a stone in your shoe DA!!SUFB info please!! Enough already!!
Do not forget the kids of PSABUSEDU!! THE NCAA DID!!
Terry…
Cuse is hosting as a possible preferred “walk on ” candidate Donnie Foster from Bradenton’s IMG academy… Maybe as a center/guard Oline prospect, he’s 6’2″ 310 lbs.
It doesn’t appear anyone offered him out of high school.
@orangeinva;
Where did you get that information from? That’s great news. When is that visit going to happen?
Ron,
drug induced dream flashback…
Or I put together info on Scout..saw a tweet..looked him on recruiting sites.
Ron, the visit is happening now. He is a teammate of Ward’s in Florida. He is originally from Georgia I believe. Most feel he got lost in the shuffle when he changed schools for his last year. Some feel he may be slow and out of shape. I have seen a couple photos and in some he’s huge and others, he’s out or shape looking (round is a shape). I like the move overall.
Ron since others have grabbed onto our IPF conversations, I thouhgt I would take a momment to clear something up that bothers me (it is being talked about in lacrosse circles as well). The budget for the IPF is not the $17m everyone thinks. The construction budget is more like $10. I have said this before. The building will be no frills, just a 100 yd field. There are little to no spaces beyond that other than a proposed apparel shop. Some of the remaining money is for design fees, and management fees, and for other work they are doing to improve academic spaces in the Iacono building I believe. There is also talk of a walk of fame or 44 shrine or something.
As to the hoops, I noticed like Ed did that the wings were slacking the most on D. I noticed it during the BC game. I attributed it to BMK being out and Rak not being able to QB the D, but it didn’t seem to improve after that game. In the UVa game, the zone didn’t seem to be working as a unit. The Cavs would get a big to the elbow or top of the key and Rak would jump up on him. Problem was that the guards didn’t turn to harrass as they often do and no wing tracked the cutter as they were too afraid of the 3pt shooter. The worst part is that the guy at the top of the key was missing most of his shots from there. We seemed to turn it a bit when Rak or BMK laid off the distributer at the top of the key and sat back, letting him take a shot. He eventually got hot, but for most of the game, he couldn’t hit the backboard and it also helped us grab the glass as we were in a better position.
Look UVa hit some bombs that probably shouldn’t have been defended, so I can’t be too upset about that. The wings are not playing with any intensity and it could be because they are tired. That is where I think the biggest concern is. Additionally, the guards need to rebound better. Opponents are shooting from deep creating long rebounds. Our guards need to eliminate those second chance shots and start the run, especially if everybody is trying to slow us down. This is where Triche and MCW were excellent (as well as Waiters).
Yeah absolutely right no frills for the IPF!! Look at the MELO center??? Just this site shows the overwhelming support for SUBB and lack of concern for the SUFB program. Been over or nearly a week of NO SUFB info!! Like I said now and latter down the road. I’m going to be a stone in the shoe of SU kind until SUFB is at least on level ground with the SUBB program. This site shows that SUFB is below popularity of SUBB and the IPF does to by a band-aid method to cover up SUFB lack of facilities!! And to no longer see this issue as an issue your blind. The nation is a college football junkie. SUFB lags behind nationally because the administration and fans just don’t support the SUFB program. And it never will until SU makes these program equal. This site proves me right. Man up DA do your job and inform us SUFB fans properly!!
The preferred walk on is old news but news any way. Might be a decent get. I heard his height is the down side to some. But looks like a bull to me!! Thank you orangeinva/Malone for the info anyway. You guys should write for the FIZZ!! At least you care about SUFB!! LOL!!
After reading what”orangeinva”posted about Donnie Foster,I took the time and looked him up. If he decides to come to Syracuse as a walk on player and if he does his job in practice and impresses the coaching staff,at some point a scholarship will be offered to him. I appreciate the information that @MALONE has offered also. I still believe that Shafer will bring in 2 or 3 more players for 2014 before all is said and done.
As far as the new IPF building goes,you have to pay the people who designed the building and the people who will manage the construction of the building. That’s taught in engineering 101 isn’t it?
I know most people wanted more to the building. A 100 yard indoor field is huge. They are stock piling the steel frame work up to Skytop,and I’m telling you it’s going to be big. The only other things that could be added to the building would be offices for the coaching staff. I personally would like to see a “WALL OF FAME” or a room designed around the Hall Of Fame in Akron Ohio,with a picture and a bust of the players and a CD made giving us all the information on each member that are being immortalized as one of the greats to ever play at Syracuse. I believe that alone would help with the recruiting of top athletes each year.
@Terry&Russell;
These comments were taken from an article posted on syr.com website this morning.
1. Thirty-five of the 61 offers (57 percent) are to prospects with a four-star rating or better according to the 247Sports composite rankings
2. Fifteen states are represented, led by Florida, New Jersey and Georgia
SU already has 18 offers out to prospects in Florida, by far the most out of any state. But it was interesting to see New Jersey rank second with 10 early offers. New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania are both deep regions in the Northeast this year, and SU is hoping to reap the benefits.
I though Shafer had 15-20 offers out to the recruits in NJ.
@Terry;
It kinda looks to me like we’ve turned the tables on this thread by talking about football.
I think by doing so,we may have upset Chris a little more today than what we did on Wednesday.
@Malone;
After the new IPF building is completed,I think it only natural that the mens and womens lacrosse teams practice there also.
The mens and womens soccer teams and the womens softball teams can use Manley Field House as their practice facility.
Stop and take a look at the amount of money the university will be saving if it works out like I’ve mentioned above.
After the football season is over with and the dome gets converted over to basketball,they won’t have to pay the dome crew ot to turn it back into a football facility so that the lacrosse teams can hold practices for their games. That transition converting the dome from one sport to another happens quit often each year. Having the new IPF building completed(I believe) will save money and cut down on the amout of headaches trying to schedule practices for all of the different teams.
Ron, your last observation is a brilliant one. I wonder if the cost savings associated with the repeated changeover is truely being considered or appreciated. I assume if it were, the money shortfalls early in the IPF fund drive would have been overcome more quickly. That being said, I am sure the University didn’t want to make it appear as thought there was cash in store if there were willing donors. If nothing else, it is a good gauge to learning how much the alumni and local community value the program.
There are two tactics on a basketball court that do not require exception talent levels that Boeheim ignores. Blocking out under the basket for better rebounding opportunities and screens on the offensive side of the game. Setting up screens for Trevor allows him to square up on the basket and improve his release on the ball.When Coleman’s legs allow him to get on the court his value in blocking out could be exceptional.
Ron the NJ offers that are out are high end guys with a lot of action already. I love that we are out to two HUGE O-linemen that are top ten in NJ and possibly the nation. Wimbush is the dreaded ATH that is primarily a dual threat QB. He seems high on PSU to me. I think more NJ offers will come and the one I’d like to see is the D-Tackle from Fanwood/Scotch-Plains. I believe Russ mentioned him a few times. Heavy Rutgers country, but I can’t see them having a hold on anyone these days. There is a chance, if offered, but he has a lot of blue bloods after him too. His name is Rashan Gary and he’s class of ’16, and already he’s the 3rd highest rated recruit in NJ. He’s 6′-5″ and 285 lbs with offers from Bama, OSU, FSU, Fla, Mich, PSU, S.Carolina, Miami, etc.
@Malone;
Two players that I would like to see come to Syracuse out of NJ,is the big DL playing for Don Bosco prep who is 6’9″ 285 lbs is a senior this year. I forgot the kids name but he’s considered one of the top LB’s in the starte and Syracuse was the first to offer him.
Do you think Bobby Acosta’s ties to New Jersey will pay dividends for Syracuse?
I think they can and will, but not with the northern parocials. I am not saying we won’t get DB or BC kids, we have in the past, (Mungwa) but I think Acosta’s ties are closer to the shore and south and with more public schools than private. That is OK as there is a lot of talent there. I would really like to see some of our alumni, like Darrell Parker or D.Darius step up and help mend connections in the Camden area. I think Rodney Williams will be an ambassador.
Sorry, can’t forget Nate Hemsley
I remember Nate as a well spoken indiviual,articulating the english language well getting his point across to whom ever was listening.
I remember Nate putting a hit on Donovan McNabb in the 1995 spring scrimmage game where I thought McMabb wouldn’t get up after the hit. When I had a chance to talk with him I told him that his job was to protect him not destroy him. He was one of the best ILB’s ever to play at Syracuse.
I think Donovan Darius was probably the best Safety ever to play the game here. Like you’ve mentioned,both would be great people to represent the university.
OH WELL another dumb struck day of no SUFB info. Plenty to digest elsewhere but to the fizz they have the “flu” of no SUFB program info!! To just stay in bed and do nothing for weeks!! I’ll just have to get a courser stone for DA and his staff’s shoes!!
Syracuse football recruiting: Donnie Foster commits to SU as walk-on.
Welcome to the orangenation,I hoipe you enjoy your stay here young man. Good luck and give em hell.
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