If Syracuse basketball can replicate defense against Clemson, watch out

Throughout the 2020-21 campaign, Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim certainly has not been shy in calling out his players when their defensive performances are sub-par.

Just last week, when the Orange fell on the road to Duke and then Georgia Tech, Boeheim laid into his starting forwards, junior Alan Griffin and sophomore Quincy Guerrier, regarding their play in the 2-3 zone.

But on Wednesday night inside the Carrier Dome, the ‘Cuse defense was stifling in the team’s 64-54 victory against red-hot Clemson, which had entered this pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference clash having won five in a row.

According to ESPN statistics, the Tigers (15-6, 9-6) connected on roughly 34 percent from the field as well as from beyond the arc.

Now, in all fairness, Clemson isn’t an overly imposing offensive group. However, let’s give some credit to the Syracuse basketball defense as well.

The Orange was active in its 2-3 zone, and thankfully, the ‘Cuse (15-8, 9-7) held its own on the glass after getting crushed on the boards in a two-point triumph over North Carolina on Monday evening in Central New York.

Syracuse basketball looked solid on defense in defeating Clemson.

Griffin caught fire in the second half versus the Tigers, collecting the majority of his game-high 22 points to go along with 10 rebounds. For me, though, since we all know that Griffin can light up the scoreboard, what proved more reassuring was the defensive play from him, Guerrier and the rest of the ‘Cuse line-up.

“Our defense was the difference tonight,” Boeheim said in his Zoom call with media members following the team’s 10-point conquering of Clemson.

Boeheim said that the forwards still make some mistakes on defense, but they are definitely getting better. He added that the Orange guards did a really good job of rotating in the 2-3 zone, which was the key versus the Tigers, as ‘Cuse defenders covered Clemson shooters well and didn’t allow them to get comfortable from long distance.

In addition to protecting the 3-point line, the Syracuse basketball zone didn’t get overpowered as much inside like it did versus the Tar Heels, according to Boeheim, who praised the defensive performance of senior power forward/center Marek Dolezaj.

Dolezaj, despite dealing with an injured finger, was “tremendous” on defense in the interior, Boeheim said.

The ‘Cuse 2-3 zone absolutely continues to improve, and if it performs at a level similar to the Clemson affair moving forward, that is an extremely positive sign for the Orange’s post-season chances.