In its simplest form, the ups and downs of Syracuse’s season can be broken down into two stretches of games. From the Barclays Center through the Orange’s loss at Georgetown, SU’s defense didn’t do enough to win. 

In that five-game stretch ending in mid-December, Syracuse went 1-4 and allowed more than 80 points three times. 

That was SU’s first act. In their second — the Orange’s five-game winning streak spanning back to a road win against Virginia on Jan. 11 — SU allowed more than 70 points just once, an 84-82 win at Notre Dame. 

“A month ago, two months ago we didn’t play good defense,” forward Marek Dolezaj said after Syracuse defeated Pittsburgh last Saturday. “But now we do.

For the Orange (13-8, 6-4 Atlantic Coast), it hasn’t been a system overhaul on defense. It’s still Jim Boeheim’s famed 2-3 zone. And with that consistency means the same holes: An opening in the high post or room for cutters along the baseline. Defenders have more ground to cover than ever to defend the 3-point arc. But the young Syracuse team, which returned two regular starters from a year ago, learned the zone and adjusted their positioning. They turned Syracuse’s season around. 

Syracuse’s defense had obvious flaws in early December. It started with opposing team’s big men. The Orange failed to cover the post and were hammered by Oklahoma State’s Yor Anei (19 points and 8 rebounds), Penn State’s Mike Watkins (15, 16) and Iowa’s Luke Garza (23, 9). 

By the time Syracuse played Georgetown on Dec. 14 the issues spread beyond just inside, and the Orange allowed 89 points to the Hoyas. Georgetown guard Mac McClung scored 26 points, most of which came in the first half, forcing Syracuse’s guards up. This left the high post to SU’s center Bourama Sidibe, who didn’t rush the Hoyas’ offensive players quick enough to prevent a score or second pass. 

“They are such a threat inside and outside, and they have guys who can get in the lane,” Boeheim said after the Georgetown loss. “It was very difficult to defend them.”

Roshan Fernandez | Asst. Digital Editor

But in the last month, following home losses to Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, Syracuse has figured out how to defend a team like Georgetown, or any team that scores the ball well for that matter. 

In general, it’s been a more active approach on defense and minor detail shifts. Syracuse’s forwards are positioned up the court, further away from the hoop. When the ball enters the high post, the danger zone of Syracuse’s defense, Orange players are more aware of what can happen. Wing players immediately anticipate a pass to the corner or a cutter down low. Sidibe is quicker to attack the ball and prevent a shot while the guards step down from the top corners of the zone to influence entry passes as well.

“We’re a little bit more up on the shooters and our hands got to be wide,” forward Quincy Guerrier said. “We just got to move to the right spot.”

Elijah Hughes said after the win at Virginia Tech that a lot of Syracuse’s improved defense is understanding the opponent’s personnel. When SU played Virginia, it packed in the zone more and protected the inside against a bad shooting team. When the Orange returned to play Virginia Tech and Notre Dame, they pressed out on the 3-point line. The result in Blacksburg was a long 3-point attempt on the final possession of Syracuse’s win. In South Bend, Syracuse forced Notre Dame to shoot 12% worse from beyond the arc than the Fighting Irish had in the first matchup. 

In recent games, Syracuse’s defense has looked like the fortifying zone that has stifled so many teams in March over the years. Both Boston College and Pittsburgh appeared lost on the offensive end. They passed the ball around the perimeter and took long 3-pointers late in the shot clock. The two teams combined shot 11-for-51 from deep. 

“Our defense is way better,” Guerrier said amid the five-game winning streak. “When we play well on defense, our offense is better too.”

Published on January 29, 2020 at 10:45 pm

Contact Josh: jlschafe@syr.edu | @Schafer_44