Syracuse tipped off against North Carolina as -2.5 point favorites due to potential top NBA Draft pick Caleb Wilson’s injury. In an opportunity to grab a ranked win, the Orange faltered once again in the Dome.
- This wasn’t Donnie’s day
Caleb Wilson was missing from North Carolina’s lineup, leading fans to think SU was going to receive a strong game from Freeman. The sophomore ended the day with nine points, and didn’t score any points through the first half. Tar Heel center Henry Veesaar did end up playing, but Freeman should’ve been more effective against an undermanned UNC lineup.
2. The slow starts continue to hurt the Orange
The first five to seven minutes of each half looked like a figuring thing out period. The defense would allow easy three pointers and let an undermanned North Carolina squad get into the groove. The defense didn’t open the game to compliment a fast offensive start in the paint. Syracuse should’ve put the pedal to the metal from the jump.
3. SU continues to struggle from behind the arc
The Orange shot just over 17% from three-point land today, not strong enough to beat one of the top teams in the ACC. Syracuse’s roster has guys like Kingz, Betsey, and Starling that were billed as shooters: why have they struggled so much this season?
4. Basketball is a game of runs, Syracuse ended up on the wrong side of that
Overall, there were just too many times where North Carolina went on a big run and the Orange were unable to stop momentum. SU would go multiple minute stretches without a basket, and the Tar Heels would capitalize with transition points.
Syracuse heads to Wake Forest next Saturday, facing a Deamon Deacons squad that is 6-8 in ACC play. Tipoff is at 5:45, make sure to stay locked in with the Fizz for full coverage.
