Today is one of the biggest days ever for Syracuse basketball, as both the men’s and women’s teams have a chance to make history and reach the Final Four in the same season.
Happy Easter! As if stuffing ourselves full of ham, marshmallow peeps, giant chocolate bunnies, and polish deliciousness weren’t enough, we’ve got two Syracuse basketball games to feast on. First, at 3:30 pm the Syracuse basketball women take on the Tennessee Volunteers for a chance to make their first Final Four in program history. Then at 6:09 pm, the men take on the Virginia Cavaliers to make it back to the Final Four for the first time since 2013.
Both matchups are a chance for revenge, as the women fell to Tennessee 57-55 in just the second game of the season, and the men lost at Virginia 73-65 in a game that was just a single possession difference into the last minute.
Let’s talk about the women’s matchup first. Honestly, this is a very winnable game for them. While Tennessee did have the upper hand early in the season, it was before both teams were really able to gel. And while Tennessee had a nice run down the stretch, winning six of their last seven, it pales in comparison to Syracuse basketball. The women’s team won 14 of their last 15 games, including a run to the ACC Tournament Finals where they played a very competitive game against Notre Dame.
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Tennessee is an excellent team with some size inside and a tough man to man defense that could give Syracuse problems. Bashaara Graves at 6’2″ and Mercedes Russel at 6’6 will be the focal points of a Tennessee team that relies on interior post play to dominate teams. Brianna Day is going to have to really step up and limit the easy buckets on the inside if Syracuse basketball wants to advance.
Against Ohio State, Graves and Russell combined for 39 points and 24 rebounds, a staggering number that doomed the favored Buckeyes from the tip. Look for the lady Vols to work the ball inside and test the defensive pressure of the Orange early and often.
On offense, Syracuse basketball needs to get the ball in the hands of their stars, Alexis Peterson, Brittany Sykes, and Brianna Butler. The trio have been very good for the Orange all tournament, none moreso than Peterson. She is averaging 24 points per game while shooting 48.8% from the field.
Another name to keep an eye on is Maggie Morrison. Morrison has been the sharpshooter for Syracuse basketball all season. She’s only 5/17 on 3’s in the tournament, so don’t be surprised if she finds her touch and lights it up today against the Vols.
Next: Syracuse Men Advance to Elite Eight
Syracuse is going to need to shoot the ball well to advance. Tennessee, with their size, will make it hard to get second chance points and will probably pull down some offensive rebounds of their own, so SU is going to need to be very focused on both ends.
I truly do think the Orange have the upper hand however and have been the hotter team down the stretch. After beating South Carolina, I think this team has limitless confidence and I expect them to step up and get the job done. I think this game is a bit more offensive than the first meeting, and Syracuse basketball pulls of the win 66-61.
The Syracuse ladies will be dancing on.