Syracuse Basketball: Oklahoma State crystal ball predictions

Ryan Lee, contributor (5-0)

Syracuse Basketball takes on Oklahoma State Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. To say the Orange are coming off a statement win is an understatement. The 97-46 dismantling of Bucknell has given many in Central New York hope.

Bucknell will not be mistaken for a juggernaut and the class of the college basketball landscape. But beating teams like them so easily after struggling against Cornell will hopefully be a sign of what is to come.

This also comes on the heels of Virginia Tech taking down Michigan State, a national title contender, Monday night at the Maui Invitational. The Hokies are currently grouped in the same group as the Orange in the ACC so seeing them take down a foe like the Spartans can be taken in a couple of ways, both probably being correct.

First, Syracuse has a long way to go as we saw when they played Virginia to start the season. To get to the level they need to beat a team in the top 10, they will need to build off their performance against the Bison and come ready against Ok. State. Second, the top teams in the country might not be as mighty as teams of the past.

There is no Zion Williamson leading a highly powered Duke team. Or a team like Virginia from a year ago with redemption on their mind. The top is down this year, leaving opportunity for teams like the Orange and their three competitors in New York City this week.

Hosting an NIT Tip-Off Tournament trophy will be a great early season accomplishment for Syracuse. First, they need to get by Oklahoma State. The Cowboys heading to the Garden might have the most to prove this season.

According to Bartorvik.com Oklahoma States’ Barthag, or power rating, chance to beat an average Division I opponent, ranks them 53rd in the nation while Syracuse is 60th. Syracuse and Oklahoma State rating close makes sense when you compare their Adjusted Offensive Efficiency (AdjOE) and Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (AdjDE).

Both teams have hung their hates defensively this year ranking in the top 51 of AdjDE, (Oklahoma State: 51st Syracuse: 40th), according to Barttorvik.com. Kenpom.com is even friendlier too both teams as Syracuse is bumped to 19th and the Cowboys to 37th. To break down the others’ stout defense, each team will rely on their experienced anchors.

Oklahoma State is essentially returning their entire starting lineup from a year ago. Two sophomores, Isaac Likekele and Yor Anei, are returning and three seniors, Lindy Waters III, Thomas Dziagwa, and Cameron McGriff, from a 12-20 team a year ago. Anei was the only of the five who did not start all 32 games from a year ago but he played all 32 and started 29.

This Cowboys’ team had poor results a season ago but they were competitive in several games in the Big-12.  Including a four-point loss at Texas Tech and down to the wire contest with Kansas, Baylor and Texas.

The worry for Syracuse will be can they keep Oklahoma State from getting out offensively. The Cowboys are scoring 71.2 points a game but only doing it on 42.7 percent shooting from the field and 30.3 percent from beyond the arc. Their defense will show up there is no doubt there.

So this team will remind you heavily of the Orange. An offense that will show in spurts but a defense that will lead the way. This could very well be a close game just because of that. The winner will probably be who shows up the end.

More specifically, who is more impactful in the last few minutes Elijah Hughes for the Orange or McGriff for the Cowboys?

Syracuse fans have seen Hughes lead the squad all year long like expected, but Oklahoma State’s leading scorer has been one of the main culprits to their poor offensive outputs this year.

The senior who shot poorly a season ago, less than 40 percent from the field and 30 percent from three, has been even worse so far this season.

In 30 minutes a game McGriff is down from just over 12 points a game to eight. McGriff is converting from the line, 13-for-14 so far this season, and 76 percent on 127 attempts last year means he has the touch to get going.

Even with McGriff’s struggles this year do not be surprised when he gets it going against the Orange. Madison Square Garden and New York City have not been as kind to the Orange.

Since the 2010-2011 season, Syracuse is 13-9 at the Garden and 14-12 in NYC. Since joining the ACC however, they are 3-5 at the Garden and 4-8 in the Big Apple. The chances are less now and the teams frankly, have not been as good but it seems as some of the Orange’s worst performances now happen when they travel to the big city. This includes losing last year to UConn and Oregon in the 2K Classic.

Even though we are feeling better about this Syracuse team, there is just something about an experienced team facing the Orange in New York that has been worried.

Oklahoma State 64 Syracuse 58