Paul A. Esden Jr. (5-2)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 65-48
What the freaking hell Syracuse?
Cornell really? No offense to Jimmy Boeheim who led a heroic effort from the Big Red, but this is Syracuse we’re talking about here.
The Orange escaped with victory when they should’ve blown out Cornell. It’s very disconcerting considering this team was in the Final Four and National Championship conversation prior to the season starting.
Now Syracuse plays an inferior Northeastern team that has an impressive win over Alabama, but is obviously not in the same class as the Orange.
Syracuse’s biggest issue is offensive, they have the talent they just have to figure out how to maximize it. The best thing they can do is rededicate themselves to the paint. The closer they’re to the basket, the better chance they have at converting it. I’m not a scientist or anything, but that seems like that makes sense to me.
You can win with just Oshae Brissett and Tyus Battle (45 of Syracuse’s 63 points in Cornell game) in some games, but not all games. Syracuse needs to step it up to realize their full potential.