With Tyus Battle on the bench due to what would be diagnosed after the game as a lower back bruise and Paschal Chukwu joining him on the sideline with four fouls, Syracuse had to dig deep on defense.
Syracuse put together their best performance of the young season on Monday night, putting away Oakland at the Carrier Dome in Hoophall Miami Invitational action, 74-50.
Syracuse may not have the offensive firepower to muscle its way past the ACC’s elite this season, but the Orange may be able to remain competitive with its scrappy play on defense.
Syracuse, with what is almost an entirely new roster, needs its veterans to contribute, and graduate transfer Geno Thorpe showed that he fit the role in Syracuse’s 80-67 win over Texas State University Saturday night.