Major ACCT implications in this one
The Syracuse Orange (11-16, 5-11) are back home and looking to snap a three-game losing skid when they face the NC State Wolfpack (11-16, 4-12). The game is critical for ACC Tournament qualifying so will we see more urgency from the Orange. Tip off is at 7:00 tomorrow on ESPNU and here’s what we’re watching for:
Kevin: Intensity and focus from the jump
It’s been an awful season, but missing the ACC Tournament would be a terrible way for the program to enter the off-season. NC State enters the game off a win over Wake Forest and they certainly don’t want to go from Final Four to sitting home for the conference tournament. This means the Orange need to come out ready to play, and be focused on the little things. The sloppy turnovers need to go, the intensity on defense for a full 40 needs to be there and Syracuse can’t let one bad play fester into more. A win over NC State gives Syracuse a bit of breathing room in these last two weeks so the coaches and team need to leave it all out on the floor in this one,
Mike: Playing with a Purpose
Nightmare season or no, this group can avoid the misfortune of missing the conference tournament by scraping out a key win or two in this final stretch. The Orange have one game in hand against NC State and the Wolfpack are the worst team record wise SU will face the last four contests. With the extra rest from their week off, Syracuse needs to treat this as a “win-or-go-home” situation and stretch their best lineup as long as needed. No excuses.
Dom: Execution from the go-to guys
NC State went over a month without a win, then over the weekend, came out of nowhere to stun Wake Forest and put a dent in its tournament hopes. NC State boasts a bottom-three offense, but a top-six defense in the conference. It’s do or die time as Mike noted, and that means the Orange need to count on Starling and Lampkin to both put together two great halves and generate enough good looks for the offense.
Max: Rest = Success?
It’ll be eight days between last week’s Pitt loss and tomorrow’s battle against NC State, tied for the longest break between games for Syracuse this season. Will we see increased energy for the Orange with an ACCT bid on the line? The Wolfpack haven’t won a road game all year (0-10 with neutral site contests included), so, like Kevin said, SU needs to come out and set the tone in a must-win game.
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What will you be watching for tomorrow night?