Syracuse basketball looking for spark in uncharacteristic season
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (BVM) – The Syracuse University men’s basketball team is struggling to find a rhythm this season. After making an impressive run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament last year, they could find themselves on the outside looking in of this year’s field of 68.
The team has a record of 9-10 overall and 3-5 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, placing them 11th in the conference. In a season where the conference only has one ranked team, Syracuse is staring at the opportunity to take a big leap forward. Up to this point, they have fallen flat.
Luckily for them, there is still more than enough time to kick start their season. The Orange are only three games behind ACC leaders Miami and Florida State, two teams that they have played down to wire in their previous meetings this year.
Syracuse has shown some uncharacteristic shortcomings to start the first half of the season, many of which are very uncommon for a team led by legendary coach Jim Boeheim. At times, Syracuse has looked the part of a top-25 team, but have had trouble with consistency throughout the season.
Their patented 2-3 zone defense, made famous by Boeheim and synonymous with Syracuse basketball, has been bombarded from behind the arc in the latter parts of games. Teams have taken advantage of the lack of athleticism Syracuse has on the perimeter, doing damage from behind the arc.
With three new starters in the frontcourt, growing pains were expected on the defensive end. Syracuse ranks near the bottom statistically in scoring defense, allowing almost 76 points per game. The team’s defensive woes leave them little margin for error on the offensive end, which isn’t a blueprint the team hopes to continue.
The Orange have been able to overcome these deficiencies at times this season, playing in many tight games. On Saturday, some of the team’s shortcomings were exposed by one of the nations top teams. In a matchup against Duke, the Blue Devils took advantage of the opportunities on the offensive side, jumping out to a final score of 79–59. Duke exploited Syracuse’s perimeter defense and lack of length at the top of the zone, consistently taking and making open three pointers. When teams are able to hit threes against Syracuse, the defense becomes a bigger issue.
It is not quite the time to hit the panic button after the loss, but the Orange do need to start winning games if they want a chance to improve on their unlikely tournament run from a season ago. Every game on the schedule carries major weight, especially when playing the likes of Duke, North Carolina, and Miami. After losing their last game to Duke, the Orange are looking to get back on track against rival Pitt.
Boeheim’s teams often play their best basketball of the season in March, when it matters most. The experience of the coaches and players may guide them back to the Big Dance, but the team is in need of some much needed wins.
