Post Game Analysis: Syracuse defeats IUP: 83-65
By Josh Peelman
5.) Syracuse’s offense and defense has a ways to go
The 2-3 zone was hardly a factor and that seems hard to believe. Boeheim actually abandoned the zone for a pressure defense most of the game which led to multiple turnovers, and fast break scores. Boeheim knows this team is built with lots of length and height. He used that to his advantage.
The pressure defense alone turned the game around when Syracuse struggled to score to open up the game. It quickly put Syracuse back in the driver seat and made IUP have to pass rather than set up their offense.
The one big problem from all of this is we barely saw this team in the 2-3 zone facing a half court offense. We will need more of that in the next couple games. We cannot beat the Duke’s of the world this season if we play defense in the half-court the way we did to open up this exhibition game.
The good news is that the turnovers in the press allow lots of opportunities to get fast break points and set up the offense. It gave Gillon the chance to get comfortable running the point when Frank Howard struggled. It also showed us how this team can put up points in a hurry if they need to. This team can score with just about anyone and we can go up to 8-9 deep. Its possible my prediction of going 10 deep was too big a stretch for the rotation, but that remains to be seen.
Either way, the Orange can win games whether its Lydon leading, or Battle, and maybe even White. All are capable of putting this team on their backs and winning so we’ll have to see how that plays out.
I’m so glad basketball season is finally here and I’m sure you are too. Be sure to check back with Inside the Loud House for more news and analysis as the Syracuse basketball season progresses.
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