A quick take on Syracuse’s 75-61 win over Boston College on Sunday afternoon:
WHAT HAPPENED: Syracuse, trailing 41-39 with 15:43 left in the second half, went on a 11-0 run shortly after to take control of the game. The run came exclusively from SU’s pair of elite freshmen, Malachi Richardson and Tyler Lydon, with the two combining for three 3-pointers to give the Orange a 57-45 lead with 10:06 left. BC would get no closer than nine the rest of the way.
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ANALYSIS: It wasn’t a particularly sharp defensive performance for the Orange on a frigid afternoon in Boston, with BC shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 9-18 from downtown. SU struggled to locate freshman Matt Milon, who had the best game of his college career, hitting 5-7 from downtown for 25 points. When SU started defending Milon in the second half, the Eagles turned to Dennis Clifford. The big man punished the smaller Orange inside for 16 points and eight rebounds. But Syracuse responded with plenty of its own offense, with 46.2 percent shooting from the field, 11-23 from downtown, and a surprising 16-18 performance from the free throw line. It also outrebounded BC 31-25. Syracuse’s win was its eighth in the last nine games, but things will get harder from here on out. The Orange play at Louisville before hosting Pitt and NC State, and then close out the season on the road against North Carolina and FSU.
HERO: Lydon continued his solid play lately, leading the Orange with 20 points to go with five rebounds. Richardson chipped in 15 points and five assists. Credit should also go to all of the Syracuse fans for braving the cold and making the trip up to New England. The Orange was serenaded with “Let’s Go Orange” chants throughout, and even a “We Want Tacos” chant in the game’s closing minutes.
ZERO: Eli Carter and Darryl Hicks combined for 2-13 shooting from the field. For Syracuse, Dajuan Coleman didn’t score and was whistled for two travels.
WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse travels to Louisville on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. TV: ESPN.
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