Syracuse had its four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday afternoon against Virginia Tech, 71-59. Here are some quick thoughts from the game:
- For the third straight outing, Syracuse shot 34 percent or better from three (37.4 percent) while holding their opponent to 30 percent or worse from beyond the arc (29.6 percent). Normally a recipe for success, the Orange dropped to 55-5 in the last nine seasons when accomplishing the feat. Virginia Tech is responsible for two of those five losses (North Carolina two, Notre Dame).
- While Frank Anselem ripped down a career-best 15 rebounds in his first career start, the Hokies put him in difficult spots on defense time and time again. With five different guards who had made at least 21 threes on the season seeing action for Virginia Tech, the other four defenders had to protect the perimeter, leaving space in the paint and at the foul line area. The Hokies ended the game with 11 baskets around the restricted area of the paint and in, including five dunks.
- SU, on the other hand, did very little inside, getting just five scores close to the basket while missing 13 shots around and inside the restricted area.
- The Orange attempted four free throws in the game, the first time all season they shot fewer than ten.
- Bourama Sidibe saw action in his fifth game of the season, logging two rebounds, a block, a turnover, and three fouls in 3:29 off the bench.
- Joe Girard III is now 13-for-24 from three-point range in the last four games, boosting his season-long mark to 43.5 percent from beyond the arc.
- While his minutes per game have remained consistent, Jimmy Boeheim’s rebounding numbers have eroded in the last seven games. After averaging 6.4 boards over the first 18 games, he is grabbing just 4.4 rebounds per outing in the last seven.
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NEXT UP:
The Orange have their open date in the middle of the coming week, so they are off until next Saturday when they will host Boston College to close their season series with the Eagles (9-14, 4-9). SU claimed the first matchup this past Tuesday, grabbing a 73-64 road win on the strength of Joe Girard III and Cole Swider combining for 40 points. Jaeden Zackery had 18 points to lead BC, while DeMarr Langford Jr. and Quinten Post each had 14 points.
Boston College, who has lost five of their last six contests, will play at Notre Dame on Wednesday prior to facing the Orange.
Saturday’s tip is set for noon Eastern between SU and Boston College with ESPNU handling television duties.
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