Syracuse matches up with Brown on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Carrier Dome (TV: ACC Network). Ahead of the game, we caught up with our friends over at Ivy Hoops Online to get a preview for the game.
(Be sure to check out TJO’s Syracuse scouting report for this matchup at Ivy Hoops Online):
The Juice Online: Tell us about Ivy Hoops Online.
Michael Tony: Ivy Hoops Online is a blog that has provided a colorful take on Ivy League basketball since 2011.
TJO: What are the major storylines with Brown coming into this season?
MT: This is one of coach Mike Martin’s best rosters in his decade at the helm in Providence, coming off the 2020-21 season that wasn’t for the Ivy League. The Bears are well-positioned for their first Ivy League Tournament appearance since the tourney was introduced for the 2016-17 season. (Berths go to the top four finishers in the eight-team conference.)
TJO: Who are Brown’s standout players?
MT: Bruno boasts a strong defense led by an All-Ivy frontcourt consisting of stat-sheet-stuffing forward Tamenang Choh and shot-blocking extraordinaire and 2019-20 Ivy Defensive Player of the Year Jaylan Gainey. Leading Brown in scoring is rookie guard Kino Lilly, Jr., who has been coming off the bench to provide a deep-shooting spark, and Loyola Chicago transfer Paxson Wojcik, another capable long-range shooter. Holding it all together is sophomore guard Dan Friday, the team’s leading shot-taker and skilled ball distributor who stood out with a 21-point performance in just 27 minutes of play in Brown’s 94-87 loss at North Carolina on Nov. 12.
» Related: The ACC is down this year. Can Syracuse take advantage?
TJO: Tell us your predictions for the game.
MT: Brown should be no easy pushover for the Orange, at least early on. Bruno looked impressive by nearly pulling off a massive upset at the Dean E. Smith Center without Choh last month and coming up just short in a 54-52 loss to Colorado at the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas on Nov. 22. The Bears are adept at forcing turnovers and cleaning the defensive boards, but expect them to struggle with Syracuse’s exceptional length and fade in the second half in a 75-65 loss to the home team.
Make sure to check out the Syracuse scouting report for this matchup at Ivy Hoops Online.
For more Syracuse coverage, Like our Facebook page, follow us @TheJuiceOnline and listen to our podcast.
