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

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Feb 24, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Kaleb Joseph (14) dribbles as Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Demetrius Jackson (11) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Slow the Game Down

Notre Dame averages 79 points per game. That’s good for 58th in the country. Conversely, Syracuse averages just 70 points per game. Defensively, Notre Dame allows 69 per game to Syracuse’s 64.7 (38th in the country). Basically that all boils down to us wanting this game to stay at a slower tempo.

Notre Dame is a very good shooting team. In fact, they lead the ACC at 49.9% and are 7th in the nation overall. Syracuse does not want to get into a shooting contest with them, because we will lose. They have 5 guys shooting 36% or better from 3-point range. As Mike Brey’s teams have always done, they know how to put the ball in the basket.

Syracuse needs to play slow and methodically. We need Gbinije to run this game at his pace. Sure, if he sees an opening he needs to attack, but if it doesn’t look like a high percentage play, he needs to take his time and look for a good shot or pass.

Cooney needs to not jack up his off-balance 3’s if he doesn’t make the first couple. If he’s hot, let em rip. If he’s not, defer to your teammates. Malachi Richardson has been an absolute stud lately, so get him the ball and let him make things happen. Use up some clock, get Notre Dame out of their offense, and make every possession count.

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Defensively they need to play solid on the perimeter and try not to let Notre Dame get the ball inside. If they do, give them the 15-footers and guard the rim. No easy baskets. No layups. Give up the mid range all day if it means not giving up the rim rocker.

If this game is in the 60s, I pretty much guarantee Syracuse wins. If it’s in the 70s, it’s 50/50. If it’s in the 80s, I have to think Notre Dame has the distinct advantage. In the end, I predict that the Orange keep the game low-scoring and once again shut down a high powered offense. I think the Irish will miss Jackson too much to pull out a win on the road, and Syracuse basketball wins an impressive 67-61 game.

Check back after the game for a recap of all the action.

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