Syracuse Basketball: Liking What I’ve Seen So Far – Mostly

As the Syracuse basketball squad gets set to host Toledo tonight, the Orange has performed admirably, by and large. ITLH digs a little deeper.

The SU hoops outfit is four games in to the 2017-18 campaign. It’s early. I get it. However, I can’t help but feel some cautious optimism about head coach Jim Boeheim’s crew.

In all fairness, wins over Cornell, Iona, Texas Southern and Oakland are nice, but daunting opponents lurk in the horizon.

There’s Maryland. Kansas, a top-five team as it currently stands. Connecticut. And Georgetown (yuck). A bit further down the pike, Atlantic Coast Conference competition looms.

So, despite my fanatical passion for the ‘Cuse, and a solid start to this stanza, let’s not anoint

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Syracuse a Final Four contender. Heck, SU isn’t even receiving votes in either national poll.

All of that said, the Orange (4-0) faces off with Toledo (3-0) on Wednesday evening from the Carrier Dome, and if the ‘Cuse can best the Rockets, it will prove a sweet Thanksgiving break for our boys.

Earlier this week, Syracuse blasted Oakland at home, 74-50. The Golden Grizzlies are a relatively high-octane offensive unit, and the 2-3 zone absolutely locked down on the Oakland players.

Meanwhile, on offense, sophomore wing Tyus Battle continues to show why he’s one of the premier shooting guards in the country. This stud is averaging 23 points a contest. Tremendous.

Junior point guard Frank Howard seems to have gained a bunch of confidence. He nabbed a career-high 18 points, along with six dimes and only two turnovers. Heck yeah, my good man.

Paschal Chukwu, a junior center, entered beast mode versus the Golden Grizzlies, compiling career-highs of 12 points, 11 boards and eight blocked shots. He is slowly blossoming into an imposing force on the defensive end of the floor.

Some Canadian flavor has been added to the mix…

Freshman forward Oshae Brissett, who had struggled from the field, hauled in a strong effort, collecting 11 points and nine rebounds.

Another freshman forward, Marek Dolezaj, is fast becoming my favorite dude on the roster. He just hustles non-stop, and does all the little things that don’t necessarily get reflected in the box score. It’s no wonder that Boeheim is giving him a ton of minutes.

What concerns me is redshirt freshman forward Matthew Moyer. He’s got to step up. I have no idea why he’s toiling this much, but we need larger contributions from him.

In totality, SU must improve from the charity stripe. Those freebies will prove critical during closely fought duels that will inevitably occur in the near future.

Our next opponent, Toledo, can light up the scoreboard. The Rockets average almost 86 points per affair. Toledo also defeated Oakland, albeit by 13 points, 87-74.

Four Rockets players average double-figures in scoring, led by junior guard Jaelan Sanford, who puts up roughly 23 points every time out.

The ‘Cuse and Toledo have squared off twice before, with our beloved Orange securing victories in both battles.

The Rockets, out of the Mid-American Conference, are coached by Tod Kowalczyk, who is in his eighth term at the helm there. Kowalczyk’s group doesn’t turn the ball over a lot. This should prove interesting against Syracuse, which is generating points in droves off of turnovers.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History

SU is expected to emerge triumphant in this one, but nothing is ever guaranteed. Let’s keep the momentum on our side, ‘Cuse Nation!