Syracuse Basketball: Big men need to step up for SU to reach full potential

The Syracuse basketball team seems to be missing a certain something in 2018. If they don’t find it fast, this team will never fulfill their true potential.

***The following conversation is based on actual events that actually took place. Only the names, conversation, and context have been changed.***

Let me start this off by saying hello my name is Paul A. Esden Jr, I stand at 5-foot-3 (on a slanted hill), I’m a former basketball player who was a key part (debatable) of a championship team nearly a decade ago.

Now let’s continue to go around the room, how about you guys over there?

"“Hello my name is Paschal Chukwu, I’m 7-foot-2, and I can’t dunk a basketball.”"

It’s okay Paschal, the first step is admitting there is a problem. Don’t worry, you’re with a group of people who love and respect you, this is an open place. Now who’s next?

"“Hello my name is Bourama Sidibe, I’m 6-foot-10, and I’m allergic to the rim, so I struggle getting a basketball anywhere near it.”"

I’ve got good news and bad news:

• The good news is Syracuse is 10-4 overall, 2-0 in true road games this season with wins vs Ohio State and Notre Dame, and 1-0 in the ACC.
• The bad news is the prognosis the rest of the way. Let’s be honest with ourselves, Notre Dame was a wounded animal, who had no home court advantage whatsoever on Saturday with students out for winter break, Syracuse had to win that game and they found a way. But considering the alarming signs that continue to rear their ugly head, I’m concerned moving forward.

Syracuse had its’ most prolific shooting day from beyond the arc on the season (12-of-29 or 41.4 percent from three point land), but it was what they didn’t do that is the most troubling.

Syracuse didn’t attempt a free throw in the first half of the Notre Dame game. According to Donna Ditota of Syracuse.com, Syracuse’s first free throw attempt came with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the second half.

How did that happen? Do the referees suck? Maybe, but the real reason is the Orange don’t have any big men that can do anything down there.

Paschal Chukwu is 7-foot-2 and he possesses a ridiculous wingspan, yet he struggles to dunk a basketball. Just so everyone in the room is aware, a regulation basketball rim is 10 feet from the ground.

Common core math tells us that the rim is just 2 feet and 10 inches above Paschal’s head and unless he has t-rex arms, he should be able to easily put the ball in the cup without much energy whatsoever.

Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim spoke to the media about this subject after the game:

"“We got the ball to Paschal in great positions, he’s got to make something happen down there. I mean we got him the ball right there, you can’t get any closer. Bourama got some good rebounds, but he has to finish. You can’t get any closer then these guys are getting.”"

The point is, Syracuse made a ton of threes against Notre Dame and they have the talent to put up points this season. But they haven’t shown they can do it on a consistent basis so far this season.

The more sustainable offense exists in the paint and at the charity stripe, if Syracuse can churn points from inside and get to the foul line, the sky is the limit. The conversation starts and ends with Chukwu and Sidibe, there’s no secret sauce here, they just need to get the ball in the cylinder.