Syracuse (13-5, 4-1 Atlantic Coast) topped Pittsburgh (12-6, 2-3), 74-63, on Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome. Tyus Battle led the Orange with 22 points and four players scored in double-digits.

Here are three quick takeaways from the Orange’s second-straight win.

Nothing too pretty, but it’ll do

Both Syracuse and Pittsburgh entered Saturday coming off major upset wins. For the Orange, a victory at No. 1 Duke proved they can beat anybody. For the Panthers, a win over No. 11 Florida State meant they’d taken a step closer in head coach Jeff Capel III’s turnaround attempt. Yet, both teams’ performances Saturday belied their recent wins. Neither squad played with the fluidity or resolve they showcased earlier in the week.

Syracuse entered the break leading, 28-25, after blowing an 11-point advantage as halftime neared. The Orange had scored 20 points more in the first half at Duke, a telling stat of the SU offense’s early struggles Saturday. Stagnancy had replaced movement.

“Move the ball!” SU head coach Jim Boeheim yelled midway through the first half.

In the second frame, Syracuse cobbled together enough baskets to beat the Panthers, who are a young, defensive-minded team that hosts SU in two weeks. The 2-3 zone was quality, which, combined with Pitt’s shooting slump, doomed the Panthers.

Trifectas for days

Will Syracuse lean more heavily on 3-pointers moving forward? The Orange shot 44 percent against the Blue Devils, and they continued their hotness from deep for the second-straight game. Junior guard Elijah Hughes drilled a 3-pointer to start the contest, thanks to a drive and kick by Battle

The offense goes as Battle’s aggression goes. Freshman sharpshooter Buddy Boeheim knocked down four-straight 3s, and senior point guard Frank Howard added two 3s as well. Five SU players hit 3-pointers, meaning the Orange appear to have more consistent options from deep. That’s important come the more difficult conference games ahead.

Limited turnovers

Syracuse committed 14 turnovers in the game, above their season average (12.4) entering the game. Senior center Paschal Chukwu had four turnovers alone, causing Boeheim to yell toward him: “What are you doing? Slow down, grab the ball. Just hold the ball.” Chukwu’s lack of control aside, Syracuse didn’t let Pitt’s pesky trio of guards take the ball away, or generate offense off takeaways.

Without Chukwu’s struggle to command the ball and make accurate outlet passes, the Orange played a relatively clean brand of basketball en route to their fourth conference victory.

Published on January 19, 2019 at 4:07 pm

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