Observations: Syracuse defense rallies against Notre Dame
Down by 17 points in the first half, Syracuse rallied for a 77-69 victory over Notre Dame. This is the Orange’s third victory in its last four games.
Here are some observations from the victory.
Defense is stepping up its efforts.
Syracuse’s defense looked completely overmatched early in the first half. Notre Dame shot 50 percent from the floor in the first half and took a 42-33 lead going into the break.
Notre Dame guard Markus Burton led the way with 22 points in the first half alone and, at one point, scored more than the entire Syracuse team.
But Syracuse made several adjustments out of intermission and held Burton to just six more points the rest of the game. And it wasn’t just Burton, as the Orange only gave up 27 points in the second half.
Orange head coach Adrian Autry credited guard Jaquan Carlos, saying he played his “best defensive game in a (Syracuse) uniform.”
“I just think it was my preparation,” Carlos said. “I just came in with the right energy and did everything the team needed me to do.”
JJ Starling rebounds against his former team.
With 6:25 remaining, Syracuse pulled within 60-57 after a layup by guard JJ Starling. It was part of a personal 8-point run for Starling, and three free throws tied the game at 63 just over a minute later.
After a dismal 4-point game in an 85-61 loss to Louisville earlier in the week, Starling bounced back with 21 points against his former team.
“I was just aggressive,” Starling said. “My teammates, my coaches, they tell me to go to J-Star, and you know, I feel like that’s what I did.”
Free throws remain a concern.
Syracuse won despite its (still) difficulties from the free throw line.
The Orange went 21-34 (61 percent), leaving 13 points off the board. Jyare Davis (1-5) and Eddie Lampkin (3-7) particularly struggled. On the other side, Kyle Cuffe went a perfect 10-10 on the charity side.
This problem is a recurring theme in Syracuse. On average, they shoot 69 percent from the free throw line, which is second-worst in the ACC.
Mr. Energy
In 21 minutes, Cuffe makes the most of his time. He finished with 13 points, and added two rebounds, an interception, an assist and even a block.
But what he contributed most is something that cannot be quantified.
“Energy,” Cuffe said. “That’s really it. I just bring that energy.
The energy was on full display when, with 16 seconds left and the Orange clinging to a 69-67 lead, he committed an illegal screen foul on Burton.
From there, he added six more free throws to preserve SU’s third ACC win of the season.
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