A quick take on Syracuse’s 68-61 loss to Virginia on Tuesday evening in Charlottesville:
WHAT HAPPENED: After an Oshae Brissett jumper with 10:33 left pulled Syracuse to within 44-40, Devon Hall responded with a 3-pointer to give the Cavaliers a seven point lead. Syracuse could get no closer than five points after that, and a dunk from Isaiah Wilkins with 2:47 to give the Cavs a 10-point lead was the exclamation point in a methodical win for Virginia.
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ANALYSIS: Tuesday’s matchup was simply not a good one for the Orange. The Cavaliers came in as the NCAA’s top-rated defense, allowing just 52.5 points per game. That matched up against an already anemic SU offense, which entered Tuesday tied fro 279th in the country at 70.0 points per game, and coming off a performance where it couldn’t crack 50 points at home. The game played true to script, with Syracuse shooting 38.3 percent from the field and 6-21 from downtown. As per SU’s recent pattern, the ball frequently stagnated, with the Orange having more turnovers (11) than total assists (3).
HERO: Kyle Guy punished Syracuse repeatedly from downtown, with five 3-pointers to give him a game-high 22. De’Andre Hunter came off the bench for 15 points.
ZERO: Tyus Battle continued his recent struggles, missing all seven 3-pointers he attempted, going 6-16 from the field for 12 points. The Orange got little from its bench, with its three bench players going scoreless.
WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse stays on the road, traveling to Tallahassee to play No. 24 Florida State. The Seminoles are in action tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. against Louisville. Game Time: 2:00 p.m. ET / TV: ACC Network.
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