Syracuse Basketball: Alan Griffin, Kadary Richmond go full beast mode

If Syracuse basketball junior small forward Alan Griffin and freshman combo guard Kadary Richmond can replicate what they did to Virginia Tech this past Saturday afternoon on a consistent basis, the Orange is going to prove a tough team to beat moving forward.

Griffin, the transfer from Illinois, and Richmond put forth tremendous performances as the ‘Cuse knocked off No. 16 Virginia Tech inside the Carrier Dome.

Known often more for his offense, Griffin played his best defensive game of the 2020-21 campaign versus the Hokies, according to head coach Jim Boeheim. Griffin registered 15 points, but he also had 10 rebounds and a ridiculous seven blocks.

Richmond, meanwhile, has been known more for his defense in his short Orange tenure, relying on his athleticism, length and instincts to drum up deflections and produce steals in the squad’s 2-3 zone.

Against the Hokies, though, Richmond was an extremely efficient scorer, hitting on 5-of-6 from the field, 1-of-1 from 3-point land and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe in tallying 13 points in just 15 minutes of court time. That’s mighty impressive.

Syracuse basketball newbies Alan Griffin and Kadary Richmond shine.

Boeheim, in his post-game Zoom call with media members after Syracuse basketball crushed Virginia Tech, 78-60, said that Richmond gives the Orange a “big lift” at both ends of the floor.

Senior big man Marek Dolezaj, in his own virtual call, said that Richmond is “huge for us” as the ‘Cuse seeks to keep its two-affair success streak going.

Griffin, who struggled last Tuesday in the Orange’s domination of Miami, played with a ton of energy against the Hokies. He seemed less reliant on hoisting up 3-point attempts, as Griffin connected on seven field goals, but only one from deep.

Most importantly, Griffin crashed the boards hard, and Syracuse basketball needs that. When the Orange fares positively in the rebounding department, it bodes well for the team.

Sophomore forward Quincy Guerrier is a double-double machine, and we all know what Dolezaj can do when he’s aggressive. Yet if Griffin can score, hit the boards and play great defense, that’s colossal for the ‘Cuse.

Plus, as it pertains to Richmond, he will undeniably keep on excelling at the defensive end. However, if Richmond can also generate a credible amount of points scored game after game, that’s critical, particularly as starting guards Joe Girard III, a sophomore, and Buddy Boeheim, a junior, have proven a tad inconsistent in 2020-21.