Know Your Opponent: Syracuse

By Matt Bowers

Syracuse (Cuse.com)
Location: Syracuse, N.Y.
Rankings: No. 51 KenPom, NR AP
Record: 16-12, 9-8 ACC
NET/SOS: No. 59 NET, No. 41 SOS
Carolina Series History (Last Meeting): UNC leads, 12-4 (UNC 93, Syracuse 85 on February 26, 2019, in the Smith Center

It may feel a little strange with just three games remaining in the regular season, but North Carolina and Syracuse will face off for the first time this season on Saturday in the Carrier Dome. This weekend marks UNC's first visit to upstate New York in two years (since the 2017-18 season).

The Orange and Tar Heels last met just over a year ago in Chapel Hill when Carolina pulled away late and won, 93-85, behind a season-high 34 points from Coby White's six three-pointers and 10-for-10 effort at the free throw line.

One thing to remember about the Tar Heel win over the Orange last year, however, is that UNC had trouble with Syracuse's defense, shooting just 40.3 percent (well below the norm for last year's No. 1-seed team). Carolina's 34-for-37 performance at the free throw line certainly helped, but even a strong offensive team can struggle against 'Cuse. That's especially true in the Carrier Dome, where the depth behind baskets in the cavernous dome can affect shooting performances.

Since that UNC win a year ago, Hall-of-Famer Jim Boeheim's team has continued to make its name with defense, as its zone has done for decades. Syracuse is fourth in the ACC in field goal percentage defense at 40.5, sixth in three-point field goal defense and fourth in turnover margin.

At the same time, its adjusted offensive efficiency of 111.5 is in the top 30 nationally in the KenPom rankings.

Fighting to boost its credentials for a possible NCAA Tournament bid, the Orange easily beat Pittsburgh, 72-49, on the road on Wednesday night. Elijah Hughes scored 25 points and Bourama Sidibe had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Still, Syracuse is only 2-6 in Quadrant 1 games this season and may need a strong ACC Tournament showing to bolster its chances.

Hughes, a fourth-year junior wing, leads the ACC in scoring at 18.8 ppg. He leads Syracuse with 104 assists and is second in the ACC in minutes played per game. Hughes' all-around game is impressive: He hits 34 percent of his three-pointers, 80 percent of his free throws and grabs over five rebounds a game.

Second-leading scorer Buddy Boeheim, the son of the head coach, sprained his left ankle in the win over Pitt and missed the final 25 minutes of the game. His status for Saturday's final home game of the season is uncertain.

Freshman guard Joseph Girard III scores over 13 points per game and has hit 64 three-pointers (third on team). Junior big man Marek Doloezaj scores in double figures most games and is second on the team in rebounding at 6.7 rpg.

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Coby White

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