Syracuse Basketball Carries Sweet Momentum Into Kansas Clash

The Syracuse basketball outfit outlasted a solid Maryland group on Monday night, but now the Orange faces highly rated Kansas. ITLH breaks this duel down.

I’ll try to put my fervent passion aside and remain objective in making this next statement.

You have to feel at least a little excitement for how the SU hoops team has fared so far in the 2017-18 campaign.

Sure, wins over respectable mid-majors like Iona, Oakland, Texas Southern and Toledo are nice.

But what the ‘Cuse lacked a year ago, and what it desperately needs this go-round to enhance its chance at making the Big Dance, is some marquee conquests in the non-conference slate.

Head coach Jim Boeheim and his boys got one this past Monday night, displaying heart and true grittiness in squeezing out a 72-70 victory against Maryland inside the Carrier Dome.

Junior point guard Frank Howard is performing at a super duper level. Sophomore wing Tyus Battle, though clearly not at 100 percent after injuring his back a week ago, came through in the clutch yet again. Our freshmen are playing as if they are seasoned veterans.

Lots of positive things circling around Central New York.

However, if you thought the Terrapins proved a tremendous test, wait until this Saturday rolls around.

That’s when Syracuse (6-0) squares off with No. 2 Kansas (6-0) on a neutral court in Miami. This

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rematch of the 2003 national championship game is part of the Hoophall Miami Invitational.

Make no mistake about it – the ‘Cuse has its work cut out for it. The Jayhawks, who wrapped up 2016-17 at a mark of 31-5 and reached the Elite Eight, will undoubtedly amount to heavy favorites in Saturday’s tilt.

They already own an impressive triumph versus Kentucky, a top-10 bunch.

Kansas is generating about 95 points per contest and shooting lights out, including from downtown. The Jayhawks share the ball extremely well and produce a lot of steals.

In other words, SU must get into beast mode on defense, prevent easy looks from 3-point range, crash the boards, and limit its turnovers. A tall order, for sure.

The Orange also has to improve its efforts from long range and the charity stripe.

In all honestly, I don’t expect Syracuse to best Kansas and its fantastic head coach, Bill Self. Particularly if Battle is still hampered by his back injury.

The key is for our guys to not lose their composure, should the game begin to get out of hand. Should SU manage to keep the score close toward the end, perhaps the Jayhawks will start to sense a bit of pressure.

No matter the eventual outcome, what we want is for the ‘Cuse to hold its own and continue to gel as a cohesive unit. That will serve the Orange well as it inches further along toward Atlantic Coast Conference competition.

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All-time, Syracuse possesses a 3-2 advantage over Kansas.

I don’t want to get too greedy, but a repeat of that epic 2003 event sounds juicy to me.

So long as the final result is the same.

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