Syracuse Basketball vs. Notre Dame: 4 Keys to the Game

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Feb 24, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Trevor Cooney (10) dribbles as Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Syracuse won 65-60. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Cooney has a Big Game

Two years ago, Trevor Cooney had a career game against Notre Dame. I have rarely seen a player in that kind of zone. He finished the game with 33 points, hitting an astounding 9-12 from 3-point land. It was one of those performances that will live on forever in the annals of Syracuse history, and he was almost single-handedly the reason that Syracuse won that game.

Last year, he managed just 11 points against Notre Dame and went just 1-6 from 3-point range. Not quite as impressive, yet Syracuse still got the win. Surprisingly, it was an unlikely hero that stepped up for SU, a man that isn’t even at the school anymore: BJ Johnson. Johnson chipped in a career-high 19 points and helped Syracuse win a tough one on the road.

This year, I think it’s time for Cooney to step up again. He has been playing some very solid basketball lately. He had a very off shooting night against Virginia, but played some phenomenal defense. I think he’s due for another big breakout offensive game.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect him to go off for 33, but I could see him getting to 20 or more. It is all going to depend on those first few shots he takes. If he can see a couple go down, it’s going to be a long night for Notre Dame.

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