Can the Orange bounce back in Dallas?
The Syracuse Orange (12-17, 6-12) are in Texas to play their first ACC game against the SMU Mustangs (21-8, 12-6). Tip off is at 9:00 pm tomorrow on ESPNU and here’s what we’re watching for:
Kevin: Pull back on the reins
We know Syracuse is going to have trouble stopping SMU’s offense, which is ranked 26th in efficiency by KenPom. What the Orange can’t do is keep turning the ball over and give the Mustangs room to run free. The best chance is to slow this game down and try and see if SMU can break out of the mud.
Mike: Know the assignment
Building off Kevin’s point: the Mustangs lead the ACC in steals, are second in offensive boards and FG%, and knock down a ton of threes. It’s a nasty combination to have put together. We’ve seen all season that once SU’s defense breaks down, nothing they do seems to get it back in shape, so everyone needs to be committed to their role from the jump if there’s any chance for an Orange upset.
Szuba: Defensive rebounding
Syracuse, for the most part, has done a good job of keeping opponents off the offensive glass this year. That will be tested against SMU, a team that ranks No. 10 in the country in offensive rebounding percentage. Syracuse has given up backbreaking rebounds at critical junctures of games this season. If the Orange manage to somehow keep this one close, rebounding will be key.
Dom: Feed what’s working
This was probably the most frustrating thing for most against Virginia Tech — Syracuse did very well in the first half running things through Davis and Lampkin inside and focusing on paint scoring. But in the second half, Syracuse never went back to going into that well. The key theme is going to be making a gameplan on offense and sticking with it because the Orange will need sustainable scoring considering the defensive struggles and how potent SMU’s own offense can be.
Max: Manage the turnover margin
I would be shocked if Syracuse wins the turnover battle tonight. SMU’s defense generates steals at an 11.3% rate per KenPom, the best of any ACC team in conference play. On the flip side, the Orange are atrocious with ball-handling against ACC foes, committing the second-highest turnover rate on offense while forcing the fewest on defense of any conference school. SU must take more care of the ball tonight if it wants a reasonable shot to win.
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What will you be watching for in this one?