A quick take on Syracuse’s 78-55 win against Providence:
WHAT HAPPENED: Syracuse has been a team of runs this season, and Saturday night was no different. The Orange led 17-16 with 5:57 left, and roughly four minutes later, the score was 32-16. It would only get worse in the second half for the Friars, as SU opened with a 9-2 run to make it 47-23 and led by as many as 30 points. Providence was held to just 33.9 percent shooting from the field and 3-for-14 from downtown in the loss.
With the win, SU coach Jim Boeheim won his 875th game, one win from tying Adolph Rupp for fourth place in the all-time win column for Division I coaches. The win also improved Syracuse to 19-0 on the season and 6-0 in the Big East, tying a school record for most wins to start a season set by the 1999-2000 team.
ANALYSIS: Providence guard Vincent Council didn’t play because of a coach’s decision tonight, and it showed. Without Council’s ball handling and 16 points a game, the Friars were no match for Syracuse’s defense, as they committed 22 turnovers. The Orange switched to a full court press at the end of the first half, which allowed it to take control of the game and SU completely overwhelmed Providence from there. While the Friars couldn’t figure out the zone (SU had 12 steals and 11 blocks), Syracuse took care of the ball, committing just eight turnovers.
HERO: It was balanced scoring for the Orange again as Kris Joseph (13), Scoop Jardine (10) and Dion Waiters (12) were all in double figures. Mookie Jones also scored a season high 10 points.
ZERO: Taking over point guard duties for Council, Bryce Cotton couldn’t get his offense going. He was 1-for-6 from downtown, and finished with nine points.
WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse stays at home and will host Pittsburgh on Mon., Jan 16 at 7:30 p.m. TV: ESPN.
