For all the hype about the potential for Syracuse basketball to be an exquisite perimeter-shooting team in the 2021-22 campaign, it was the Orange’s scoring anywhere but beyond the arc that enabled the team to defeat its Central New York neighbor, Cornell, on Wednesday night at the Carrier Dome.
Per ESPN statistics, the ‘Cuse only made six shots from deep in this non-conference contest and connected on just 30 percent from 3-point land.
However, from the field as a whole, Syracuse basketball was 32-of-57, which translates to about 56 percent. What’s more, the Orange went 26-of-37 on attempts from inside the arc, which is an impressive 70 percent.
Now, as Syracuse basketball gets into the heart of its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, the ‘Cuse will need to perform better from deep, and I’d be surprised if the Orange shoots 70 percent inside the perimeter with a ton of frequency.
Regardless, it was an encouraging sight to see as the ‘Cuse knocked off the Big Red, 80-68, on the Hill. The Orange (7-5, 1-0) has likely finished its non-conference docket, and this was a solid triumph over a good Cornell group.
An Orange trio led Syracuse basketball to this 12-point conquest.
Coming into this affair, the Big Red (8-3) was averaging roughly 88 points per game, but the ‘Cuse defense limited Cornell to 20 points below its season average.
Part of the issue for the Big Red is that it didn’t shoot all that great from 3-point range, and Cornell managed to commit nearly two-dozen turnovers.
The Syracuse basketball defense, though, had something to do with that, as the Orange generated 13 steals against the Big Red, which is impressive.
However, it was frustrating to watch the ‘Cuse commit a whopping 16 miscues of its own, with the bulk of them coming in the first half. Syracuse basketball can ill-afford to be turning the ball over that many times.
Cornell players also grabbed nearly 20 offensive rebounds, which is a monster number. But in all fairness, the Big Red is proficient on the glass, and in attempting and missing so many 3-pointers, Cornell was bound to haul in some of these long rebounds.
Senior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim collected 22 points, senior forward Cole Swider tallied 21 points and graduate student forward Jimmy Boeheim, suiting up versus his former team, chipped in 16 points.
With this outcome, Syracuse basketball is 94-31 against the Big Red and has won 41 in a row in this series. The Orange scored a 2-0 record this week in its Ivy League tour, having bested Brown on Monday evening and then Cornell.
Up next for Syracuse basketball is a home ACC match-up with Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 1. Tip-off is slated for 6 pm, with television coverage on the ACC Network.