Thoughts Or Predictions For Syracuse Game?

[shadow force]

I'll admit I haven't seen Cuse play once this season. What do the Cards need to look out for? Which players are dangerous? Etc.

I'm very curious to see how CCM tackles the Cuse zone. For some reason we had CC in the middle of the zone against Duke. I realize it is two different teams but it seems Nwora or someone else would be better situated there if Mack plays it that way.

 

[KerryRhodes]

Cards will trail at the half.
Cards retake the lead in the 2nd half.

Cuse will press, Cards will flub it up.
It will come down to the last shot.

Cards hold on to win 70-67

 

[Cue Card]

I haven't seen the Orange play this year either but one thing we know for sure is they'll play half court zone defense.

That means we need to avoid falling in love with the 3 point shot. IF the right people are open then I'm fine with the 3 pointer, but we need to keep the post in play too, and we need to attack the offensive rebounds because it's difficult to rebound in a zone defense.

This team NEEDS to go there expecting to win. I'm not sure they will have that mindset but if they do, then they can win. It won't be easy. Syracuse is fighting for their post season lives.

 

[LouisvilleKid79]

Watch out for Battle and Brisset. Cuse has big guards that more than likely will cause the Cards problems. This is not one of Boeheim’s better teams but I’m expecting their size and length to cause the Cards some problems. Boeheim does not typically press but I will be surprised if he does not spring it on the Cards in spurts or key times throughout the game.

Obviously need great ball and player movement (spacing) against the zone but will probably need to knock down a few deep ones due to Cuse’s size and length. I think the Cards have a decisive advantage inside. Will the Cards be able to get it in inside?

Cuse is coming off a bad loss to NC State and will be desperate for another quality win. I have a bad feeling about this one. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[UL_1986]

Cuse can be dangerous. Battle is a player and their big man Chukuw gave Duke fits.

 

[LouisvilleKid79]

Cuse can be dangerous. Battle is a player and their big man Chukuw gave Duke fits.

Yes, they can. Battle is a baller. It feels like the Cards will be catching them at the wrong time.

 

[shadow force]

Watch out for Battle and Brisset. Cuse has big guards that more than likely will cause the Cards problems. This is not one of Boeheim’s better teams but I’m expecting their size and length to cause the Cards some problems. Boeheim does not typically press but I will be surprised if he does not spring it on the Cards in spurts or key times throughout the game.

Obviously need great ball and player movement (spacing) against the zone but will probably need to knock down a few deep ones due to Cuse’s size and length. I think the Cards have a decisive advantage inside. Will the Cards be able to get it in inside?

Cuse is coming off a bad loss to NC State and will be desperate for another quality win. I have a bad feeling about this one. Hope I’m wrong.

Thanks for the rundown on Cuse. I was already iffy about this game at the Carrier Dome before, but your first paragraph definitely gives me some concern because they are all things this team has struggled with. The big guards, length, zone, and probable pressing could give the Cards all they can handle.

If the team can leave there with the W it would be huge. This is a big test for Mack and the team. Interested to see how they respond.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

They will win the hanks were shaked off against Clemson. I've seen cuse play a lot this year Cards as long as they hit some threes will be alright. Battle will get his not a typical cuse team this year.

 

[UL_1986]

Yes, they can. Battle is a baller. It feels like the Cards will be catching them at the wrong time.

Hope not. We need another solid road vidtory and beating them and BC on the road would do wonders for our seeding. ND is a must win as well.

 

[KozmasAgain]

It will be interesting since Syracuse doesn't like to press I like that. If we can control the tempo and limit turnovers I think we win. I thought last season was supposed to be Boeheim's last year what happened?

 

[UL_1986]

It will be interesting since Syracuse doesn't like to press I like that. If we can control the tempo and limit turnovers I think we win. I thought last season was supposed to be Boeheim's last year what happened?

That dude will probably never retire.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

The Cuse zone is so unique the Cards would need to bring one of their better efforts to get this one on the road.

As others mentioned the size of their guards is concerning. Battle and Howard are 6-5 and 6-6. Issues!

 

[nccardfan]

It will be interesting since Syracuse doesn't like to press I like that. If we can control the tempo and limit turnovers I think we win. I thought last season was supposed to be Boeheim's last year what happened?

He wants to coach his son Buddy one more year.

 

[HoptownCat93]

It's simple, hit 3's at the level you guys are capable of...and you win easy.

This is a Nwora game. A matchup nightmare for a lot of teams....and he has the size to see over that zone and hit the 3-ball. Sutton as well.

If I'm not mistaken...McMahon has played Cuse very well the past 2 years?

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Another issue is Cuse really needs this one. They have dropped a few lately and they have a rematch with Duke on deck.

 

[Morgantown Card]

This is the type of Syracuse team that will sneak into the NCAAT, everyone will bitch about it, and then they'll go on a run and knock out a 1 or 2 send on their way to the S16 or E8. LOL! Never underestimate a Hall of Fame coach.

 

[WhatMeWorry]

As others mentioned the size of their guards is concerning. Battle and Howard are 6-5 and 6-6. Issues!

Their size can open them up to drive bys by the smaller, quicker guards.

 

[yum center]

The Cards need to run in this one to beat the Syracuse zone down the court. When they don't, take care of the ball and hit the open three. It seems like the Cards are at their best when they are running. In the Duke game, they were dominating when they were running out. Then, all of a sudden, they stopped and Duke made their comeback. I say Cards by 9.

 

[WhatMeWorry]

I hope to see Sutton positioned at the free throw line in the middle of that zone. Feed the ball in to him and he can turn and drive, pass out, or shoot. CCM had Cunningham their against Duke, but I think you need more height and the strength to drive to the rim. Nwora can do the.same thing, but he isn't as secure with the ball, so I would go with Sutton first. also, Nwora's passing is suspect.

 

[KerryRhodes]

I hope to see Sutton positioned at the free throw line in the middle of that zone. Feed the ball in to him and he can turn and drive, pass out, or shoot. CCM had Cunningham their against Duke, but I think you need more height and the strength to drive to the rim. Nwora can do the.same thing, but he isn't as secure with the ball, so I would go with Sutton first. also, Nwora's passing is suspect.

Not just Sutton, but Malik, Ryan and Darius.
Rotate that middle shooter.

You can hit the baseline player when the zone creeps up like in the 2013 Big East Tourney Title game.

If any of you Cards fans have never seen that game, WATCH IT. Cardinals classic !

 

[ULdoug]

Their guards size and ability to just drive on their own is concerning. We have had difficulty stopping that. Will require good team help d without excessive fouling. And i agree with other posts..... need to make 3s against that zone

 

[nccardfan]

I shudder when I hear people say to beat the zone you have to make your 3’s. To beat the zone, you have to pass the ball and find the open man with the best shot whether it’s a 2 or 3. To make your 3’s implies you have settled. I can see it now. Malik and Enoch hoisting a bunch of 3s.

 

[Louis III]

You said it NC, you have to PASS against the zone, dont try and dribble through it. Making sound passes to the FT and baseline parts of the floor are critical.

 

[shadow force]

I think Mack will have a solid game plan for Cuse. Now whether the Cards can close it out is still to be seen.

 

[CardX]

It's still funny to me to hear "Louisville and Syracuse in an ACC showdown." ESPN's matchup predictor has it at 51.5% in Louisville's favor. In other words, it's a 50/50 game. The Cards have won in the Carrier before. Syracuse, ironically, has dropped 4 home games this season. I think it will be good for the Cards to be playing away, and not receiving standing ovations each time they break the press. I bet they play loose.

 

[LouisvilleKid79]

Game day. Curious to see how Mack attacks the zone. Who does he have flash to the high post? CC seems to small but I think you see him there at times. I think we will see different guys flash in and out of the high post with Sutton, Enoch and Williams flashing up the most.

Protecting the ball will be crucial as it is always...seems to be a weakness for this team at times this season. As others have said, the key will be ball movement to get good looks from the 3 and good looks from the short corner/baseline. I think Cuse's size/length and the fact that they will be looking to bounce back coming off a loss to NC State make this a tough one. Both teams have tough games this weekend as well.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

We win this plain and simple

 

[Louisvillian]

Tyus Battle absolutely destroyed us last year and he’s not a good matchup for us this year.

Better take good shots and get back in transition tonight.

Cards- 71
Cuse- 70

 

[Louisvillian]

To make your 3’s implies you have settled.

Not if it’s your best shot, as you mentioned right before that. It also pulls the zone out if your hitting them and opens up the baseline and free throw area. Like running to set up the pass and vice versa in football. Move the ball, take what the defense gives you and make them pay.

Nobody on here is advocating jacking up a bunch of threes as a strategy.

 

[nccardfan]

Not if it’s your best shot, as you mentioned right before that. It also pulls the zone out if your hitting them and opens up the baseline and free throw area. Like running to set up the pass and vice versa in football. Move the ball, take what the defense gives you and make them pay.

Nobody on here is advocating jacking up a bunch of threes as a strategy.

That’s against a normal zone not Boeheim’s. Looks like the team and coach Mac didn’t get your memo.

 

[KerryRhodes]

Cards will trail at the half.
Cards retake the lead in the 2nd half.

Cuse will press, Cards will flub it up.
It will come down to the last shot.

Cards hold on to win 70-67

Yeah I was close

49 points. Garbage.

 

[Louisvillian]

That’s against a normal zone not Boeheim’s. Looks like the team and coach Mac didn’t get your memo.

BS. We got great looks the whole first half from the 3 point line and just missed one after another. And no... I’m not talking about the desperation 30 ft threes at the end of the half by McMahon.

After Syracuse went up double digits in the 2nd half and saw we couldn’t make a shot from the free throw line or inside, Boeheim extended the zone out, knowing the only way Louisville gets back in the game is making threes. Smart.

Our game plan was good in the first half. Execution and talent at key spots were not. It happens.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Cards were never comfortable. It's not quite like playing GA Tech's wishbone once a year but the Syracuse zone's legend grows by the day.

The reality is the UofL guards are limited - and some teams have the personnel to expose them. Syracuse had it.

I think UofL has played over their heads (sorry for repeating this everywhere) and the Duke game just took their mojo.

Hoping they can dig in and grind in the BC/ND games - BC played the Cards tough once already so you can't just expect to show up and win that one.

 

[LouisvilleKid79]

BS. We got great looks the whole first half from the 3 point line and just missed one after another. And no... I’m not talking about the desperation 30 ft threes at the end of the half by McMahon.

After Syracuse went up double digits in the 2nd half and saw we couldn’t make a shot from the free throw line or inside, Boeheim extended the zone out, knowing the only way Louisville gets back in the game is making threes. Smart.

Our game plan was good in the first half. Execution and talent at key spots were not. It happens.

Yes, Boeheim extended the zone out. Cuse was playing high on the zone. I thought the Cards missed a few lob opportunities over the zone.

 

[PervisTheGreat]

Appeared to me that Nwora was pressing somewhat with his family being there and all, maybe I’m wrong.

It’s amazing to see this team play at a level like they did against NC and them at times can’t make a 12 foot open shot.

Hope they get this straightened out but the rest of the season doesn’t give much time for fine tuning their game.

 

[ShortCreek]

He wants to coach his son Buddy one more year.

I’m hearing three more. The kid is a freshman, right? Plus, he can’t hang onto his hot wife if he’s home grouching around the house under her feet.

 

[nccardfan]

BS. We got great looks the whole first half from the 3 point line and just missed one after another. And no... I’m not talking about the desperation 30 ft threes at the end of the half by McMahon.

After Syracuse went up double digits in the 2nd half and saw we couldn’t make a shot from the free throw line or inside, Boeheim extended the zone out, knowing the only way Louisville gets back in the game is making threes. Smart.

Our game plan was good in the first half. Execution and talent at key spots were not. It happens.

Yeah man, we would have won if we hit all those 3’s! You’re great at game analysis... not.

 

[Louisvillian]

Yeah man, we would have won if we hit all those 3’s! You’re great at game analysis... not.

What a dumb response to my post. I never said we would have won but Jesus, even Mack said it’s hard to beat a team like Syracuse when you miss so many open 3 pointers and other shots from the high post in the first half. My original post before was pointing out what a stupid statement you made by saying, and I quote “to make your threes means you’ve settled”. So what the hell does that even mean? Don’t take open threes even when you catch the zone out of place? And if you do, making them means you’ve settled? Hell, even Pitino used to say that when you play Syracuse, you’re going to have to hit a fair amount of threes to beat them (and that’s when we had Russ and Siva for goodness sakes. You also blabbed about worrying about Enoch and Malik Williams jacking up a bunch of threes. Did that happen? No. Malik was 1-1 on threes and Enoch never attempted one. Good call.

Obviously we struggled with their length and quickness in that zone and later we let it effect our defensive effort. That shouldn’t happen but it did.

 

[nccardfan]

What a dumb response to my post. I never said we would have won but Jesus, even Mack said it’s hard to beat a team like Syracuse when you miss so many open 3 pointers and other shots from the high post in the first half. My original post before was pointing out what a stupid statement you made by saying, and I quote “to make your threes means you’ve settled”. So what the hell does that even mean? Don’t take open threes even when you catch the zone out of place? And if you do, making them means you’ve settled? Hell, even Pitino used to say that when you play Syracuse, you’re going to have to hit a fair amount of threes to beat them (and that’s when we had Russ and Siva for goodness sakes. You also blabbed about worrying about Enoch and Malik Williams jacking up a bunch of threes. Did that happen? No. Malik was 1-1 on threes and Enoch never attempted one. Good call.

Obviously we struggled with their length and quickness in that zone and later we let it effect our defensive effort. That shouldn’t happen but it did.

Man, you get touchy when you’re wrong.. try lightening up a little.