Syracuse basketball defense needs work, but next foe abysmal on offense

Okay, so Syracuse basketball fell over the weekend on the Hill to New York state neighbor Colgate for the first time in decades. It happens. It does sting, though.

It’s a bad loss for sure, but not because the Raiders aren’t any good, because they’re actually really, really good. Rather, what is concerning for the Orange (2-1) is that its 2-3 zone defense, often lethal in years past, was totally exposed by the crisp passing and excellent shooting of Colgate players.

And the ‘Cuse rebounding efforts also left a lot to be desired. Coming into the 2021-22 campaign, the scouting report on Syracuse basketball seemed to be that the team was going to score a lot of points, but its defense, rebounding and athleticism were question marks.

Alas, while falling to Colgate by 15 points at home, after having a 15-point lead in the first half, is frustrating and concerning, let’s all take a deep breath. There is still a ton of hoops to get played in 2021-22.

Let’s take a closer look at VCU, the next opponent for Syracuse basketball.

This Wednesday in the early evening, the Orange will battle VCU out of the Atlantic 10 Conference in the first game for the ‘Cuse in the 2021 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis.

Even though some Syracuse basketball fans have already predicted the Orange to the NIT, I’m not in that camp. In fact, I think that the ‘Cuse is going to beat VCU (2-2), which most recently lost at home to Chattanooga by two points.

In the 2021-22 stanza, the Rams have defeated Saint Peter’s and Vanderbilt, and they’ve been beaten by the aforementioned Chattanooga and Wagner.

Plus, while the Syracuse basketball defense isn’t playing super great, one could argue that VCU is having an even bigger challenge in putting points on the scoreboard.

According to ESPN’s Web site, the Rams are averaging a paltry 50.8 points per game, while connecting on 40.4 percent from the field, 61.5 percent from the charity stripe and a sub-par 26.3 percent from beyond the arc. They’re also committing a whopping 17.5 turnovers a game.

Colgate hit on better than 40 percent from deep versus the Orange, and the Raiders made 18 baskets from 3-point land. Unless something weird transpires, I can’t foresee VCU registering similar numbers against the Syracuse basketball 2-3 zone.

Some of my fellow ‘Cuse hoops fans are adamant that the Orange’s rough loss to Colgate means that Syracuse basketball will automatically go 0-3 at the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis.

Personally, I feel that the ‘Cuse will conquer VCU. After that, who knows.