Syracuse (20-13, 10-8 Atlantic Coast) opens play in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday against Baylor (19-13, 10-8 Big 12). The Orange will look to build off a run to the Sweet 16 from a year ago, likely with one-seed Gonzaga waiting on Saturday if SU can get past the Bears.

Here’s what our beat writers think about three major topics heading into the Tournament.

1. What is the most important factor to replicate last year’s Sweet 16 run?

Charlie DiSturco: We have yet to see a game where Syracuse looks like a complete team. You can argue the upset over then-No. 1 Duke, but even then Oshae Brissett shot poorly and Elijah Hughes went scoreless in the second half. We saw in the ACC tournament that the Orange have the capability to compete without Tyus Battle. Even without Frank Howard, who is indefinitely suspended, Syracuse has the talent — when it clicks — to make a statement win. We just haven’t seen it completely come to fruition.

Matthew Gutierrez: I think Paschal Chukwu and Oshae Brissett need to assert themselves inside. SU can beat a team like Baylor without their offensive output but not a team like Gonzaga. Getting more than one win will require some sort of offensive output in the paint from Chukwu, and more good high-post play by Brissett.

Billy Heyen: It sounds simple, but Syracuse needs to score. Last year, the Orange’s defensive performance in the NCAA Tournament was historic and near-impossible to replicate. They’ll defend well, again, and maybe points won’t be overly important against Baylor. But to get to the Sweet 16, the Orange will need to get past a fast-paced Gonzaga team. Beating the Bulldogs won’t come without an offensive performance like the ones SU had at Duke and at North Carolina. But if Frank Howard is finally up to full speed and Tyus Battle is fully healthy, maybe it could happen.

2. With Frank Howard’s absence, who will need to fill in for the Orange? Who will see the biggest minutes-increase?

C.D.: Buddy Boeheim will definitely be the biggest beneficiary of the news. He has been the team’s most reliable 3-point shooter as of late and will likely start on Thursday. Games can quickly change momentum with a couple of deep 3s and Buddy has the talent to do so. He’ll see the biggest minutes increase, but also look for Jalen Carey to come off the bench and try to use his athletic, fast-paced skill set to provide a boost to this SU offense.

M.G.: In addition to Buddy, I also would say Carey. If he gets some time, whether for matchup reasons or foul trouble, it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the big stage and any ball pressure. More than anything, SU needs him to take care of the ball. If he scores, that’s a plus. He’s capable of being a big contributor next season, and we could see glimpses of that with Howard out.

B.H.: Well, it seemed like Buddy Boeheim might lose minutes with Tyus Battle’s return, but that doesn’t look true anymore. I’d expect Battle and Buddy to be the starting backcourt, and for Buddy’s play from the ACC tournament to continue. Buddy’s said his eyes light up when he sees an opponent in zone, and Baylor plays a lot of 2-3. He should be able to space the floor and knock down shots against the Bears, and his opportunity to play more minutes in ACCs because of Battle’s absence could look crucial in retrospect.

3. Can Syracuse keep up its hot 3-point shooting from the ACC tournament?

C.D.: Yes. Buddy Boeheim and Elijah Hughes have been and still are shooting well from 3. That has not changed since conference play, though Hughes has been more streaky at times. However, these two are sharpshooters and that’s their job. Oshae Brissett and Tyus Battle are the bigger question marks. If Syracuse limits Brissett’s attempts from 3 and Battle focuses on drive-and-kick outs more so than pulling from 3, I think this team should be able to find success from beyond the arc against Baylor on Thursday.

M.G.: I agree. Buddy and Hughes can shoot the ball well. What’s more interesting is how much the 3-point shooting boost has done for this offense. Last year, Brissett, Battle and Howard were the guys who had to take 3s, and now they can — but they don’t have to. They can attack and go close to the paint area, or they can drive and kick to a shooter. The addition of Buddy and Hughes has helped the Orange, and hot streaks from them in the Big Dance could push this team to an upset over Gonzaga.

B.H: The lack of Frank Howard hurts this, but Buddy Boeheim is the key here. He’s the Orange’s best shooter and he’s in rhythm of late. His confidence is high after the ACC tournament. Most likely, he’ll start with Howard out, and he’ll have to hit shots for that absence to be neutralized. Add in the potential for a hot streak from Elijah Hughes and that bodes well for SU.

Published on March 21, 2019 at 10:45 am