Syracuse Orange
Big East Conference (31-2, 17-1)
Jim Boeheim has done this before. “This” could be making the NCAA tournament. It could be trying to advance to the Final Four with anything less being not good enough. It could be winning so many games to the point of monotony. Or, this could mean dominating the Big East conference and setting himself and his team up with a very impressive seed. The “this” that Boeheim or any Orange member has not done before is doing all of it as their last Big East hurrah, on their way out and to the ACC. Some folks may grip too heavily to the sanctity of conference alignment. However, losing rivalries and long-standing traditions is also nothing to be taken lightly. Like Pittsburgh, Syracuse will want to make a mark in what will most likely be their final Big East appearance.
Big Wins: 11/25 vs Stanford (69-63), 12/2 Florida (72-68), 2/8 Georgetown (64-61)
Bad Losses: 1/21 at Notre Dame (58-67), 3/9 vs Cincinnati (68-71)
Coach: Jim Boeheim (36 seasons at Syracuse)
Why They Can Surprise:
A National Title should be Syracuse’s aim, as it was to start the year, simply because they are so darn talented. With Fab Melo and his 2.9 blocks per game manning the center of the famous 2-3 zone, and length all around the rest of the court, scoring on the Orange is often a chore. 6’4” guards Brandon Triche and Dion Waiters are not your ordinary backcourt mates. Even with point guard Scoop Jardine in the game, he gives up little size to anyone at a comparable 6’2”. The problem for opposing teams is that stopping Syracuse’s offense is also quite difficult. Led by a bevy of scorers, Jim Boeheim’s club can attack opponents from a number of points on the court, from starters and bench players alike. Cuse’s star, Kris Joseph, is great but they do not rely on him to carry the load, as evidenced by the scoring up and down the roster.
Why They Can Disappoint:
A national title or Final Four is hardly a guarantee though. Syracuse seems to be too talented for its own good. On a number of occasions this season, they have built up big leads only to see their inferior opponent battle back and make a game of things. Or they simply took a long time to start playing, almost taking their opponent for granted right from the opening tip. Two out-of-conference examples come to mind: November 23 versus Virginia Tech and December 17 at North Carolina State. Neither team had any business battling with the Orange, and yet both games were close up until the late stages of the second half. If Syracuse is not able to stay focused and play full 40 minute games come tournament time, they may be primed for an upset, especially if the zone gets lazy on the defensive end.
Probable Starters:
Scoop Jardine, Senior, Guard, 8.3 ppg, 4.7 apg
Brandon Triche, Junior, Guard, 9.3 ppg, 2.7 apg
Kris Joseph, Senior, Forward, 13.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.7 apg
C.J. Fair, Sophomore, Forward, 8.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Fab Melo, Sophomore, Center, 7.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Rakeem Christmas, Freshman, Forward, 2.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Dion Waiters, Sophomore, Guard, 12.6 ppg, 2.6 apg
James Southerland, Junior, Forward, 6.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 75.3 (32nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.2 (24, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.0 (43, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.4 (10, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (155, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.3 (162, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.6 (149, 9)
Rebound Margin: -1.0 (227, 14)
Assists Per Game: 16.0 (15, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.6 (11, 3)
*Fab Melo was suspended for the NCAA Tournament on 3/13
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
Syracuse 2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Indiana State
Syracuse 2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Marquette
Syracuse 2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Vermont
Syracuse 2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Gonzaga
Syracuse 2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Butler
Syracuse 2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Stephen F Austin
Syracuse 2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arizona State
Syracuse 2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Oklahoma
Syracuse 2008 NIT First Round win over Robert Morris
Syracuse 2008 NIT Second Round win over Maryland
Syracuse 2008 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Massachusetts
Syracuse 2007 NIT First Round win over South Alabama
Syracuse 2007 NIT Second Round win over San Diego State
Syracuse 2007 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Clemson
*all team stats through 3/4
