A quick take on Syracuse’s 74-73 overtime win over Georgia Tech at the Carrier Dome:
WHAT HAPPENED: With Syracuse clinging to a 74-73 lead with 22 seconds to go, Buddy Boeheim was doubled teamed near the sideline and lost the ball out of bounds. But Georgia Tech could not take advantage, missing three shots in the final 17 seconds as the Orange escaped with a win in a back-and-forth contest. The Orange appeared to have taken control in regulation, up 59-53 with 5:23 left after a Cole Swider layup. But Syracuse went scoreless in the final 3:57, which allowed the Yellow Jackets to force overtime.
ANALYSIS: Syracuse’s quest to avoid a losing record for the first time in Jim Boeheim’s coaching career picked up a big boost. SU moved to 15-12 and 9-7 in ACC play with four games left in the regular season, in need of just one more win to finish at least one game over .500. But the Yellow Jackets are also the last team with a losing record Syracuse will face in the regular season. The Orange plays the top four teams in the ACC (Notre Dame, Duke, North Carolina and Miami) to finish, with two of those games (UNC and Notre Dame) on the road.
HERO: Syracuse received a huge boost from Bourama Sidibe, who chipped in five points and five rebounds, splitting time with Frank Anselem, who had 10 rebounds after halftime. The two were in foul trouble the entire evening, with Anselem fouling out, and Sidibe finishing with 4 fouls. Swider and Jimmy Boeheim combined with 38 points and 22 rebounds.
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ZERO: Syracuse’s starting backcourt of Joe Girard and Buddy Boeheim shot a combined 8-35, but all of Buddy Boeheim’s 15 points came after halftime.
WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse has a quick turnaround, and will travel to Indiana to play Notre Dame on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (TV: ESPN News). The Fighting Irish are 19-8 overall and 12-4 in ACC play, though they are coming off a 79-74 road loss to Wake Forest on Saturday.
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