The Syracuse Orange (5-3) are finally back in action tonight as the St. Joseph’s Hawks (6-3) visit the JMA Wireless Dome. It’s another 9:00 pm tip on the ACC Network and here’s what we’re watching for:
James: Rebounding
St. Joe’s team rebounds well, grabbing 40.2 rebounds per game to Syracuse’s 35.9. Interestingly, not one Hawks player grabs more than 5.3 rebounds per game. St. Joe’s doesn’t go super tall, so can a bigger Syracuse team get on the glass and ward off the Hawks? This should be an opportunity
for Nate Kingz, Sadiq White and William Kyle to build off of last game.
Dom: Offensive consistency
With the non-con schedule mostly easing up the rest of the way, now is the time for some of the Orange to build some successful runs on offense. The most interesting trend so far this year: compared to preseason expectations, Syracuse is a vastly better defensive team, but worse on offense. The game against Saint Joseph’s is the first of a run (outside Hofstra) where it plays low-ranked defenses. Especially looking to see if J.J. Starling (43.8%) and Naithan George (39.1%) can see an uptick in efficiency and get some rhythm going over the next few weeks.
Kevin: Get out and run
The Hawks have played a pretty weak schedule and their defense efficiency ranks 159th in KenPom and they’ve given up 74 points a game. There is some concern about Syracuse’s half-court offense- especially after a week off and without Donnie Freeman. How can you ease those concerns? Rebound, create turnovers and run the floor. I’d like to see Syracuse push the tempo in this one and try and get points in unsettled situations.
Max: Free-throw discrepancy
You could make this point for basically every game, but the difference in free-throw shooting from these two teams is staggering. The Hawks shoot at an 80.5% clip from the stripe (ninth-best in Division I per KenPom), while the Orange are an abysmal 57.3% from the line (365th, dead last). Syracuse is the much more talented team, but struggles from the line could prevent Autry’s team from pulling away.
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Now it’s your turn, what will you be watching for?
