Syracuse Basketball Looks to Right the Ship Against UConn

Fresh off their first loss of the 2017 season, Syracuse basketball is looking to grab win No. 8 on Tuesday night against UConn in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Tuesday night will mark the 94th time in which Syracuse and Uconn play each other. The Orange have, for the most part, had their way with the Huskies, leading the head-to-head series 55-38.

However, Kevin Ollie’s squad has won two of the last three matchups since Syracuse departed from the Big East, and joined the ever so competitive ACC in 2013.

For the 16th time, Syracuse and UConn will battle things out at MSG. Through 15 meetings, neither team has been able to declare New York theirs, as the Orange have won eight times, and the Huskies seven. Tuesday night’s meeting will either give Syracuse a steady 9-7 lead or result in UConn knotting things up at eight.

Despite being in separate conferences, the two schools have gone out of their way to try and play each other as frequently as possible.

This past September, it was announced that the two teams will be participating in next years 2K Tournament, that will take place at none other than Madison Square Garden.

Syracuse and UConn enter Tuesday night with six wins, and both teams expect to leave the Garden with a seventh.

Syracuse must contain Jalen Adams

Adams, UConn’s clear-cut best scorer, is coming off a 31-point effort on 59% shooting (13/22) in the Huskies’ thrilling 84-81 overtime victory over Monmouth on December 2nd. The junior guard is averaging over 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists on an efficient 45% shooting.

Syracuse has fell victim to two straight three-point outbursts from Maryland’s Kevin Huerter (7/9

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from three) and Kansas’ Devonte’ Graham (7/13 from three). Adams enters Tuesday night shooting 34% from deep, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him also take advantage of Syracuse’ 2-3 zone.

Syracuse should start their best five players

During Syracuse’ 19-4 run in the second half of Saturday night’s loss to Kansas, forwards Oshae Brissett, Marek Dolezaj, and Bourama Sidibe worked exceptionally with backcourt pair Frank Howard and Tyus Battle. This combination thrived against Kansas, so we know it can thrive against any team in the NCAA. Make it happen, Jim.

Howard Washington must continue playing with confidence

Following Geno Thorpe’s departure from Syracuse, freshman guard Howard Washington became the primary backup for Battle and Howard. In eight minutes against Kansas, Washington played with as much confidence as any player on the floor, and it seemed like he didn’t even realize he was playing against the second best team in the country.

Although Washington missed both of his three-point attempts, his scoring should click sooner rather than later. When the time comes that Battle or Howard is either hurt, tired, or flat out struggling, Washington will be more than ready to play.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Tyus Battle’s back is sore from carrying this team

Syracuse must continue rebounding

After outrebounding the Jayhawks on Saturday night 36-31, Syracuse proved that they can keep up with any team in the NCAA. While they haven’t shot nearly as efficiently as most would have hoped, it is their rebounding on both ends that has allowed them to win six of their first seven games, and keep Saturday’s loss closer than it should have been. If the Orange can keep crashing the boards, their chances of winning grow stronger and stronger.

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