Let’s not lose this one ok
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The Syracuse Orange (4-4) are back in the JMA Wireless Dome tonight to host the UAlbany Great Danes (6-4). The game tips at 7:00 on ESPN2 and here’s what we’re watching for tonight:
Kevin: Where’s the tempo?
After promising that Syracuse would play faster than last year, the Orange have been unable to get up and down the floor in the last. Against their P4 opponents they have struggled to push the ball and it’s led to challenges scoring in the half court. Maybe the Orange would be as porous in a pressing defense as they are in the half court, but I’d like to see them try something to get out and run. Without JJ Starling, Syracuse lacks shot creators and I want to see Adrian Autry try and get his players into the open floor more. Tonight would be a good time to try something to get some energy into the team and the fans.
Max: Three-point shooting
This was the main takeaway from South Bend, as the Orange failed to make a three in a game for the first time in over 10 years. Now sitting at 352nd (of 364 DI teams!!) with an abysmal 26% three-point percentage, I need to see some shots fall from deep to start believing in the Orange again. UAlbany is hovering around the 35% mark as a team and is led by Kheni Briggs, who has drilled 18 of his 36 attempts. Failure to execute from distance will put the Orange behind the 8-ball once again.
Sam: If they don’t get right now...
UAlbany is a decent team in America East this year, led by talented guards in Byron Joshua and Amar’e Marshall, while Justin Neely has been awesome coming back from injury. However, Dwayne Killings’ teams have never been very good on the defensive end and have been especially bad defending the three this year. The Great Danes have lost shooters with screens all year (342nd in off-ball screen defense per ShotQualityBets.com) and are allowing opponents to shoot nearly 38% from deep. Syracuse is in a massive shooting slump misrepresenting even a modest true talent level. If the Orange can’t get the shooters going against UAlbany’s porous defense, I’m not sure when they ever will.
Dom: Feast inside
UAlbany is allowing the highest field goal percentage to opponents of any team in the America East. Syracuse will, as Sam mentioned, need to capitalize on those open looks from three to really take advantage. But part of that will have to come from putting pressure on the rim and have that be the foundation for the offense. If UAlbany chooses to put more bodies around the basket, then that’s where the kickout for three options are on the table. Lampkin, Freeman and Davis are the players I’m most confident in at this point to play well and that trio will be vital if Syracuse wants to come away with a win.
Mike: Get some confidence back
I’m sure the SU locker room is not at its best and with the classic rivalry game against Georgetown on deck, that needs to change now. The Orange just went a whole 40 minutes without sinking a three but fortunately face one of the worst teams in the country at defending the arc. Sorry to repeat Sam a bit, but yeah, if ‘Cuse can’t get shots to fall tonight I don’t know when they will. I’ll also be less subtle and just say Chris Bell needs to step up and contribute something on offense; the freshman should not have to carry the load even with Starling out.
Szuba: Lineups and depth
We know Autry wants to deploy his bench and play with depth. To his credit, he’s stuck with that philosophy. Yet, Syracuse’s depth this season seems more about finding someone who can provide a lift or searching for a lineup that works. What does the rotation look like at this point in this season and what lineups will we see out there tonight? While sometimes matchups can determine playing time, we’re nine games into the season and still don’t have a clear answer to what the rotation is and what players play best with one another.
