Miami's Storm Can't Bring The ORANGE Down

Syracuse improved to 15-5 all time versus the Hurricanes
on Saturday January 4th

  Miami did everything right against Syracuse this afternoon by controlling the pace and tempo for the entire game. 'Cuse was not able to stretch their legs out and run on Miami because the hurricanes were able to hold possessions late into the shot clock, slowing every glimpse of momentum Syracuse would have. Also oddly enough, Miami played an extremely effective 1-2-2 zone on the Orange that limited them to a dismal 25 points at half. Down four during the break, The U continued to move the ball well and knock down some valuable threes while slowing down the Orange. They also could compete with Syracuse around the rim and off the glass (MIA: 27 rebs, 6 blocks/SYR: 29 rebs, 3 blocks) allowing them to take the lead for a  vast majority of the second half.

Syracuse on the other hand could not ignite an offensive spark whatsoever. The Orange were suffocated by Miami's offensive possessions and what little shots they did get off, they could only hit 36% of them. That is just never going to go well when you're also 3-15 from long range. Syracuse desperately even stretched their zone out to a full court press 5 minutes into the second half just to try and force some steals for easy buckets. For you members of the Coonsquad out there, Trevor unfortunately did not perform his best today going 2-12 from the floor, all from behind the arc might I add. I love Cooney as much as I've admired every other great college shooter but I like it when he attacks the hoop or at least looks to score in other ways every once in a while. He can make himself more 1 dimensional than he actually is and that can hurt a team especially when you're playing 39 minutes like he did today. However he did manage to finish the game with 11 points.

Jerami Grant started his first game of the season this year

with Dajuan Coleman out with a knee injury

Thankfully C.J. Fair (15 pts)  and Tennis (10 pts, 7 asts)  provided some late game heroics. Fair banged a corner three and hit another clutch layup late in the second half while Tyler had 2 marvelous takes to the basket that each resulted in scores for the Orange in their final possessions. Despite a rough outing, Syracuse proved they're a difficult team to beat even when things aren't going their way. Syracuse wins 49-44.

Things we learned: No game is a sure thing in the ACC