Syracuse basketball zone to be tested by ACC’s top 3-point shooting team

Syracuse basketball heads to Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va., on Saturday night for an Atlantic Coast Conference clash with Virginia Tech, and each team is on a roll.

Both the Orange (13-11, 7-6) and the Hokies (14-10, 6-7) have captured four league wins in a row. The ‘Cuse has knocked off Wake Forest, N.C. State, Louisville and Boston College. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, has defeated Pittsburgh twice, Florida State and Georgia Tech.

So something’s got to give on Saturday evening. Entering the weekend’s slate of games, Syracuse basketball is No. 7 in the ACC standings, while the Hokies are tied for eighth place with the Seminoles.

At the moment, according to bracketologists, the Orange and Virginia Tech aren’t in the conversation for a berth in this spring’s Big Dance. However, each team has built up some nice momentum, and Saturday’s encounter is a pivotal one for both squads.

The Syracuse basketball zone has a huge challenge ahead.

While the Hokies’ overall record at present is only one contest better than the Orange’s, Virginia Tech is a dangerous team on both ends of the floor.

For example, the Hokies currently are No. 2 in the ACC in scoring defense, allowing just 62.0 points per affair. They’re also No. 5 in the conference in 3-point field-goal shooting defense, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for a ‘Cuse offense that takes a good amount of 3-pointers.

Additionally, Virginia Tech itself is an excellent shooting group. The Hokies connect on 47.9 percent from the field as a whole, which is No. 3 in the ACC.

What’s more, Virginia Tech hits on a stellar 42.1 percent from beyond the arc, which is No. 1 in the conference. According to data on the ESPN Web site, 40.7 percent of the Hokies’ field-goal attempts are from long range in the 2021-22 campaign.

By comparison, 38.7 percent of the overall shots taken by Syracuse basketball are from 3-point land, and the Orange is connecting on 38.0 percent from downtown, putting the ‘Cuse in the ACC’s top 3 in that category.

With the sad news that Syracuse basketball junior center Jesse Edwards is injured and out for the remainder of 2021-22, Orange fans will obviously be keeping a watchful eye on how the ‘Cuse fares in the paint on offense and defense.

Rebounding is often a hot-button issue for the Orange, although the ‘Cuse has more than held its own on the glass for the majority of its ACC games.

Plus, Virginia Tech isn’t a great rebounding unit. Syracuse basketball averages 36.2 boards per contest, while the Hokies collect just 31.7 rebounds.

All-time, the Orange is 11-5 versus Virginia Tech, including a 78-60 triumph at the Carrier Dome in January of 2021. Saturday’s bout presents a huge opportunity for the ‘Cuse to pick up a marquee road win.

At the time of this writing, the Hokies were No. 43 in the NET rankings, as compared to No. 83 for Syracuse basketball. That means if the Orange can stun Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, it would amount to a coveted quadrant-one victory for the ‘Cuse.