Those who know me well know that I bleed Orange through and through, and that I’m optimistic about Syracuse basketball the vast majority of the time.
Unfortunately, though, after seeing the ‘Cuse defense get lit up over three games at the 2021 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, I’m not feeling super positive about how this team will fare over the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign.
Putting my Orange-colored glasses to the side, what has transpired for the ‘Cuse (3-3) over the last four games is really, really concerning.
Entering 2021-22, the Syracuse basketball roster had a large make-over, with three transfers and a promising freshman coming in, and six guys leaving the program for one reason or another.
And the scouting report seemed to be that the Orange would put up a lot of points, but that a perceived lack of athleticism and a questionable 2-3 zone could spell trouble for the ‘Cuse. Through six games, that scouting report appears to be on point.
Syracuse basketball is in the midst of a rough non-conference patch.
To recap, immediately prior to heading to the Bahamas, the Orange got pasted, 100-85, by New York neighbor Colgate on the Hill, in a contest where the ‘Cuse defense was totally exposed.
Then, at the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis, Syracuse basketball lost to VCU, the Orange got by Arizona State, and then the ‘Cuse was crushed by No. 19 Auburn.
It’s not just that Syracuse basketball went 1-2 in the Bahamas and has lost three of its past four non-conference games. What concerns me the most is that this Orange roster apparently needs to score a ridiculous number of points to beat average Power 5 conference groups, which is problematic given its upcoming docket.
Case in point, Arizona State is not a great team by any stretch of the imagination, and the ‘Cuse allowed 84 points to the Sun Devils. Auburn floated 89 points on the Orange.
And VCU had been averaging about 51 points per affair prior to its duel with the ‘Cuse, and the Rams hung 67 points on the beleaguered Syracuse basketball defense, which at present is allowing almost as many points (77.2) as the offense is scoring (78.7 points) per game.
On top of these recent results, check out what the Orange has coming up. First is a home date with a good Indiana squad in the 2021 ACC-Big Ten Challenge, then at Florida State, versus Villanova in New York City, and at Georgetown.
If the ‘Cuse goes 2-2 in that stretch, I’d be content. But then Syracuse basketball would find itself at 5-5 to start 2021-22, and that kind of record leaves a lot to be desired, as more concern, understandably, will arrive among my fellow Orange fanatics.