Can the Orange show some improvement?
Tomorrow afternoon, the Syracuse Orange (2-0) host the Youngstown State Penguins (1-1) at 1:00 on ACCNX/ESPN+. Fans are not excited about what they’ve seen so far, so what do we hope to see when the game tips off?
Kevin: Effort and Urgency
It’s early in the season and it’s a new team, so some sloppy play is expected. What the Orange can fully control is their own energy and effort. Syracuse needs to be more active on both ends of the floor. This team should be able to cause turnovers and get into transition and I’m hoping that message got across to them after Tuesday night. Let’s see players moving their feet, jumping into passing lanes and getting after loose balls.
Sam: Scoring at the rim
The Penguins were historically a heavy offensive-slanted team with Jerrod Calhoun, but that changed last year, and continues to change with former assistant Ethan Faulkner taking over a roster that features 7-foot-3 sophomore Gabe Dynes. He’s one of the top shot blockers in mid-major basketball and has done a terrific job protecting the rim. The Orange have struggled to score at the rim this year (51.7%, 15th percentile per Synergy), making this an interesting early-season test. Eddie Lampkin got Jeff Woodward in foul trouble early against Colgate, but SU still struggled to finish. Whether Dynes follos suit or not, it should be fascinating to see how Syracuse plans to attack the paint.
Max: No second chances
Granted, they’ve only played two games, but the Penguins have one of the worst effective shooting percentages in the country (37%, 348th). Despite its suspect defense at times, Syracuse’s rebounding has been fantastic, holding opponents to just a 16.7% offensive rebound rate (9th in DI). There should be tons of misses from the visitors, so we’ll see if Orange can continue gobbling up the boards tomorrow.
Dom: Consistency on defense
For those of you who haven’t read Sam’s piece yet, highly recommend you do. Regardless of what happens this year going forward, as Kevin said, energy can always be turned out. Syracuse is expected to win clearly given the talent advantage, and with the Texas game in Brooklyn looming, it’s a golden opportunity to play at a high and consistent level heading into that key matchup. Particularly on defense is where I think most fans want to see some improvement, starting against Youngstown State.
Mike: Don’t disrupt the flow
This is just as much a Red Autry goal as it is for the players on the court. There have been some questionable rotations sent out to the floor these first two games and more than once the tempo that SU had going just disappeared, along with their lead. Everyone has had a little time to settle in and there should be some confidence and comfortability with their respective roles – so let’s see it throughout a clean afternoon of basketball for all ‘Cuse personel.
Szuba: Transition defense
Youngstown State plays at a moderate pace, albeit faster than Colgate. Can the Orange recognize when teams are pushing the pace, communicate and stop the ball in transition? After last game, Eddie Lampkin alluded to the defensive struggles being part awareness and part chemistry, with new players still figuring things out after.
“I would say awareness and I’d say we’re a new team,” Lampkin said. “A lot of teams have been playing together for two years.”
This is an important game for Syracuse to play together and generate chemistry before the competition ramps up drastically next week.
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What will you be watching for?