Syracuse Basketball: Houston’s elite defense & other worrisome statistics

On Saturday night in the Sweet 16 of the 2021 Big Dance, Syracuse basketball will go toe to toe with a Houston team that is one of the most efficient groups on both offense and defense in the sport. And that’s not all the bad news for the No. 11 seed Orange.

The second-seeded Cougars (26-3) will pose a variety of challenges and stiff tests for the ‘Cuse (18-9) in this regional semi-final. Head coach Jim Boeheim has acknowledged the tall task ahead for his roster, and the Orange will have to continue playing stellar basketball to come away with a victory.

First and foremost, Houston only allows 57.9 points a game, which is No. 2 across the country, according to NCAA statistics. The ‘Cuse can score in droves, but save for Virginia, this is probably the stingiest defense that Syracuse basketball will have faced over the course of the 2020-21 campaign.

What’s more, the Cougars are fierce on the boards, and that doesn’t bode well for an Orange squad that sometimes will struggle in the rebounding department.

Nationwide, Houston is one of the top teams in both offensive rebounds per contest, as well as total rebounding margin a game. That definitely is a facet to monitor in this encounter.

Per ESPN statistics, the Cougars grab 40.9 rebounds per affair, with three players averaging at least five rebounds a game. Syracuse basketball, on the other hand, collects 35.5 boards per meeting.

Syracuse basketball will battle a well-rounded Houston unit in the Sweet 16.

Not only do the Cougars play lights-out on defense, but they also average 77.4 points a game on offense as well. Now, one could reasonably argue that competition in the American Athletic Conference isn’t as rugged as in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but regardless, Houston will be a handful for the ‘Cuse.

The Cougars aren’t a terrific shooting team, but they are solid. Houston connects on 44.4 percent from the field, 74.1 percent from the charity stripe, and 36.1 percent from beyond the arc.

One component of this duel that could prove imperative is the Orange picking up some easy buckets out in transition, but that means the ‘Cuse has to rebound with precision and force turnovers.

However, the Cougars are pretty careful with the ball, committing just 10.9 miscues per contest. Additionally, Houston has its own prowess in the steals category, tallying 8.2 thefts a game.

While Syracuse basketball does possess slight advantages in both assists and blocks per bout, by and large the Cougars are better in the bevy of statistical arenas. Winning this Sweet 16 match-up is an immensely uphill climb for the ‘Cuse.