It felt like an exhibition game. Probably because it was. A low-scoring slog in the first half saw Syracuse stagnant on offense. Saint Rose got some looks, but could never string together makes. Slowly, the Orange settled into the game and pulled away.
There was only one thing that made SU’s 80-49 victory feel special: The coaches son, Buddy Boehiem. From the onset, the debuting freshman drew the largest reactions from the crowd. The excitement only grew with every basket. He finished 7/13, with 19 points. It wasn’t just a catch-and-shoot clinic, as some would expect. Buddy showed the ability to hit the three off the dribble, use his shot fake to create from midrange and get to the rim. He played admirable defense as well.
It’s not fair that the Brewster Academy product has to battle a stigma that comes with being the coaches son, but it’s a reality. And tonight at the Carrier Dome was about Buddy showing he belongs.
Report Card:
Buddy Boeheim: A
See above.
Tyus Battle: D
Battle was held without a field goal for nearly 35 minutes. With all three of the Orange’s point guards out with injuries, Battle had to step in and play the one. Jim Boeheim said after the game that Battle is better off the ball. When asked if he agrees with his head coach, Battle laughed. “I’m a scorer,” he said. Let’s chalk up Battle’s curious performance to playing out of position.
Oshae Brissett: A
Despite Buddy’s statement game, Brissett was the best player on the floor for Syracuse. He finished with a double-double and led the team with 22 points. Brissett had some great finishes at the rim, but also flubbed some easy layups. Touch around the rim was a major emphasis for Brissett in the offseason.
“I’m still working on it and I’m still finding my spots. but I’m going to get it,” he said.
Elijah Hughes: A-
Poise, confidence, swagger. That’s what Hughes showed tonight. He carries himself like a scorer and has the talent to back it up. Hughes scored 19 on 50% shooting from beyond the arc. Sloppiness with the ball in the first half bumps him down a grade point.
Paschal Chukwu: B
Just about what you can expect from Chukwu from a stats perspective: five points, eleven boards. What was not expected was when he dove into the courtside seats in the second half.
Fizz exclusive: this is the man (plus drink and poster) who took the brunt of Paschal Chukwu flying into the seats. pic.twitter.com/iZuf9aJVA1
— Orange Fizz (@OrangeFizz) October 26, 2018
Bourama Sidibe: C+
His knees looked ok, but he was pretty much invisible out there.
Marek Dolezaj: C
The sophomore has supposedly worked on his range, but he never let it fly tonight. Dolezaj always does the right thing with the ball, but he was too passive against Saint Rose.
Robert Braswell: C
The potential is clear. He’s big and athletic with a quick release and range. But Braswell really looked like a freshman tonight. He was timid in any situation that wasn’t catch-and-shoot. Even then, he missed both of his three point attempts.
Ky Feldman: A
Drained a three with under a minute to go. I can’t not give some love to a walk-on after an exhibition game.
