By Tommy Kane

Published: March 15, 2019

Volume III: Issue V

The Syracuse Orange (20-13, 10-8 ACC) men’s basketball team defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers (14-19, 3-15 ACC) on Mar. 13, 2019 in the second round of the ACC Tournament. The score was 73-59.

In the third round, on Mar. 14, 2019, the Orange lost to the Duke Blue Devils (27-5, 14-4 ACC), 84-72. The loss knocked Syracuse out of the 2019 ACC Tournament.

Both games took place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., the home of the ACC Tournament.

Syracuse Star, Tyus Battle (G), was out both matches with a tailbone injury sustained against the Clemson Tigers on Mar. 9, 2019. He is expected to return for the start of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

Huge Defeat Against Pitt

Buddy Boeheim Fires a Three

Syracuse really controlled the game against Pittsburgh in the second half. The first half was a bit more evenly matched between the two foes, who knew each other from the Big East.

Buddy Boeheim’s (G) 20 points helped the Orange get past the Panthers. He scored his career-high in points. He went 6 of 13 (46.2%) from the field and helped with six rebounds and four assists.

Frank Howard (G) and Elijah Hughes (F) also stepped it up for the Orange in Battle’s absence. They both put up 18 points. Howard hit 5 of 12 (41.7%) and Hughes hit half of his shots (6 for 12).

Pascal Chukwu (C) was a huge factor on the rim against the Panthers. He corralled nine rebounds, as well as helped the Orange by making all of his shots, going 2 for 2.

Pittsburgh led the Orange after the first half, 36-30. Jared Wilson-Frame played a huge role throughout the match, scoring 24 points and going 8 for 16 (50%) from the three-point line, but he got little help from the rest of his team. Syracuse bounced back in the second half to get 43 points, while the Panthers only got 23 points.

In the end, the Orange shot substantially better than the Panthers. Syracuse made 43% of their shots while Pittsburgh made only 33%. Both teams shot 44% from the three-point strike, but the Orange did a better job on defense.

Difficulty Against Zion’s Blue Devils

Zion Williamson of Duke Helped the Blue Devils Beat the Orange

Syracuse, as typical in their past two games against Duke, had a difficult time and ultimately lost the game.

The Orange popped out to a quick lead early in the first half but fell apart once Zion Williamson got going for the Blue Devils. Syracuse stuck with Duke through most of the second half, even cutting the lead numerous times. With the last eight minutes of the match, Duke ran away with the victory.

Howard had a fantastic game from the field. He scored 28 points and went 11 of 20 (55%), also going 4 for 9 (44.4%) from the three. He played almost the whole game and arguably had his best game in a Syracuse uniform.

Boeheim was still a factor in this one, getting off to a slow start but scoring 15 points in the end. The freshman shot 5 for 9 (55.6%) from the field. Oshae Brissett (F) helped out with 14 points and seven rebounds as well.

The Orange played solid, but couldn’t stop Williamson as he went a perfect 13 for 13 and broke an ACC Tournament record for most shots completed without missing. Williamson completed a double-double due to earning 14 rebounds. R.J. Barett, an underrated presence, scored 23 points as well to help elevate the Blue Devils to the semi-finals.

Syracuse shot just below 50% (48%), but Duke shot better at 54%. The Blue Devils killed it on the boards compared to the Orange, outrebounding them by 11. An interesting take is how awful each team shot from the free-throw line. SU went 59%, while Duke barely did better at 68%. Both teams are not known for being great at the line.

Was it sloppiness or great defense? Duke committed 18 turnovers, and Syracuse turned the ball over 17 times. Not the most characteristic performance in that category for both squads. Still, both teams are known for playing lock-down defense. As many know by now, Syracuse is known for its difficult 2-3 zone.

Despite the result, and without Battle, Syracuse proved in this game that they belong in the field of 68, as well as proving that they will not be an easy win for any team no matter the seed.

Tournament Hopes

This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone, but the Syracuse Orange will make the 2019 NCAA Tournament with little difficulty. The sweating out days on Selection Sunday is finally over for now. The hard part will be where they are seeded because that can affect who they will play if they advance the first round.

The Orange are most likely looking at an 8 or 9 seed, but wouldn’t rule out ranges as high as a 7 and as low as a 10. As an 8 or 9 seed, Syracuse would have to likely play the 1 seed in the second round if they manage to advance. There is a reason as to why 8 and 9 seeds don’t go too far, but nonetheless, it is possible with any team.

Obviously, looking at the toughness of Virginia, UNC, Duke, Gonzaga, Tennessee etc., it is possible the Orange may set up a date with any of these teams. It is in their best interest to try and avoid an ACC team because they know the Orange more than other conferences. In the past, Syracuse has been able to beat difficult teams due to the “Zone”. It is hard to prepare for such a game-changing defense. This year’s team is not the best at the “Zone”, but nonetheless, know enough to rattle out of conference teams (even ACC teams).

Selection Sunday is on Mar. 17, 2019, at 6 PM EST. The first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament starts on Mar. 21, 2019. The First Four play-in games are Mar. 19, 2019, and Mar. 20, 2019. As usual CBS, Tru TV, TNT, and TBS will be broadcasting the games.

GO SU!

Stats

Game Summary Against Pittsburgh

Game Summary Against Duke