Syracuse was downed by Villanova, 67-53, in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Here are some quick hits from the game:
- This game looked like an exceptionally bad matchup for the Orange defense on paper. Villanova entered the game shooting 42.2 percent from three-point range with 47.4 percent of their field goals coming from long range.
- Prior to meeting the Wildcats, the average SU opponent attempted 49.6 percent of their shots form beyond the arc, making 34.9 percent, a number driven down by Florida State’s icy perimeter shooting in Syracuse’s last game. 28 of Villanova’s 37 first half shots were threes and they finished the game with a program record 50 three-point attempts among their 77 shots.
- All those three-point attempts made for a lot of offensive rebounds for the Wildcats. Villanova grabbed over half their misses, collecting 27 offensive boards compared to SU’s 25 defensive rebounds. The ‘Cats turned those opportunities into 25 second chance points and held an overall 57-36 rebounding margin.
- Jimmy Boeheim and Joe Girard III were most of the Orange offense in the first half. They combined for 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including connecting on all three of their combined attempts from deep.
- Jesse Edwards and Frank Anselem have quickly become very good at closing out on shooters in the corners. It is a rarely spoken about, but very important, part of the SU defense getting better in a hurry. Unfortunately, the Wildcats took advantage late, sending multiple players to the offensive glass to get easy offensive boards.
- In the first 13 games last season, Buddy Boeheim shot 71-for-193 (36.8 percent) overall and 28-for-95 (20.5 percent) from three. Through nine contests this year, he’s 53-for-140 (37.9 percent) and 16-for-62 (25.8 percent), respectively.
- Cole Swider continues to struggle shooting the ball, as well. Through nine games, Swider is hitting 38.1 percent overall and 28.8 percent from deep.
- Jesse Edwards finished 8-for-15 at the free throw line. No other Syracuse player attempted a foul shot.
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- The Orange will take on their second old Big East rival in as many games on Saturday when they travel to Georgetown. The Hoyas (3-4) host Maryland-Baltimore County on Wednesday night before welcoming SU to town.
- Aminu Mohammed is one of four Hoyas who averages double digits in scoring, leading Georgetown with 14.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Dante Harris is right behind Mohammad at 14.0 points per outing and also paces the squad in assists (4.7 per game) and steals (2.0 per game).
- Saturday’s matinee is scheduled for a noon Eastern tip-off with FOX handling television duties.
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