Rapid Reaction: SU Remains Winless In The ACC Tournament, 62-57

The Syracuse basketball team couldn’t find a way to clinch their first ACC tournament win in program history. SU just couldn’t overcome

SU got off to a slow start in the first half overall and the Hurricanes turned that into a eight point lead going into the half. Another reason for that was John Gillon (0-2 from the field in the first stanza).

Why is that relevant? Well besides the fact that head coach Jim Boeheim said that Gillon is the heart of this team. Where Gillon goes is where SU goes. Here’s some more analytical data that I researched on this phenomenon.

SU is 8-1 when Gillon scores at least 14 points. While his assist-to-turnover ratio is about 5-to-1 in those games. Gillon finished this game three-for-nine from the field, two measly assists, and three turnovers.

Another key metric is SU’s prowess from downtown. The Orange are 17-3 this season when they

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shoot at least 35% from downtown. That record will persist because the Orange didn’t reach that barometer.

One more nugget to get too before we talk about the future of this program. Tyler Lydon as selfless of a superstar that you’re, I’m starting to question the star power. Throughout the game you’re willing to give up the rock so someone else can shine.

Which on the surface is an outstanding trait to possess, yet this is being done to a fault. SU needs their “projected” first round pick to play like one. That means scoring, this guy refuses to pull the trigger on a consistent basis. This game (2-for-7, five points) that’s not good enough.

Here comes the slice of realism, the only reason if Lydon left this year and becomes a first round pick is potential. NBA teams love guys like Lydon on paper anyway. But if SU is going to make the tournament and do anything while they’re there, they need Lydon to step up to the plate and put himself out there.

It’s going to be a long next five days for the Syracuse basketball program as they nervously await Selection Sunday for the second straight year. It’s a confusing resume: multiple top-10 wins, some horrible losses, and also losers of five of their last seven.

The non-conference slate is terrible, they haven’t won on the road, and they’d be trailblazers from that standpoint as Voice of the Orange, Matt Park, indicates here:

"Matt Park via Twitter“FINAL: Orange suffer 62-57 loss. IIRC, 14 losses is the most any at-large has had. None have made it with <3 road/neutral losses. Cuse 2-11.”"

Next: SU Falls Just Short Of UK In Race For Home Attendance Crown

We’ll keep you posted right here on ITLH with all the coverage leading up to Selection Sunday. Plus we’ll have more post-game reaction from this one, stay tuned.

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