With senior big man Marek Dolezaj in first-half foul trouble and junior small forward Alan Griffin unable to really get things going against Miami on Tuesday night from the Carrier Dome, Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim went with an intriguing line-up that may prove an advantageous option during the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.
Boeheim utilized a three-guard line-up with freshman combo guard Kadary Richmond and sophomore point guard Joe Girard at the top of the 2-3 zone.
Junior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim slotted over to the wing. Then sophomore Jesse Edwards was at center, with sophomore Quincy Guerrier at the main forward position.
It’s not a line-up combination we’ve seen a whole lot of in the present term. Edwards, for one, hasn’t played a ton in 2020-21, but he suited up for more than 20 minutes versus the Hurricanes and performed admirably.
Guerrier did his usual thing of scoring and rebounding with terrific frequency. Given Dolezaj’s absence and Griffin’s struggles, this three-guard line-up along with Guerrier and Edwards really did a number on Miami, which held an early 11-2 edge but would ultimately get smoked by the ‘Cuse, 83-57, on the Hill.
Syracuse basketball employed an interesting and effective line-up versus the Hurricanes.
When Boeheim and Girard are on fire shooting the ball, as they both were in the Miami affair, it’s tough to take either of them out. Yet Richmond is so good defensively, making deflections and picking up steals. And he can efficiently get into the lane on offense, setting up his teammates nicely for buckets.
After succumbing to that early deficit against Miami, Richmond and Edwards provided a crucial spark. Then, the Orange really got rolling with its three-guard line-up along with Edwards and Guerrier, Jim Boeheim said in his post-game Zoom call with media members following the team’s defeat of the Hurricanes.
Obviously, Dolezaj and Griffin are key pieces of the ‘Cuse roster, so I’m not implying this three-guard set with Edwards and Guerrier should be the main line-up all the time. But, without question, it’s an effective alternative.
Girard is a point guard, although when he was playing off the ball against Miami, with Richmond running the point, Girard could focus on getting into the lane and looking for his shot.
Jim Boeheim said that this was a good line-up, and the team’s ball movement was solid. He said that he took Griffin out for a while because he was dribbling too much and shooting step-backs.
Syracuse basketball, Boeheim added, will have the most success when it moves the ball well, as his players will end up getting better shots. And versus the Hurricanes, Girard and Buddy Boeheim made a lot of their shot attempts.