BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: Connecticut @ Syracuse
February 17, 2007
Before the season got started, we might have looked at the schedule and highlighted this as a key game in the Big East season. However, at this point in time, Syracuse and Connecticut just does not have the same meaning as we anticipated. Prior to their recent three game conference surge, Connecticut was in grave danger of missing ghe Big East Tournament. Syracuse still has NCAA Tournament hopes, but they still have some work to do to get there.
Twelve days ago Connecticut dealt Syracuse a tough loss as the Orange once again wilted down the stretch in defeat at Connecticut. The young Huskies made the plays they needed to and earned the win. Now, UConn will have to travel to the 'Loud House' and take on a Syracuse team looking for revenge.
Syracuse has the experience with three senior starters in the frontcourt. In the first meeting, Terrence Roberts and Darryl Watkins were left almost useless by foul problems against their young counterparts. Syracuse needs to get the better of the interior match-up and give Demetris Nichols room to fire-away from the outside in the Dome.
The young UConn guards will have to face the Syracuse 2-3 zone in the cavernous Carrier Dome shooting environment. Not a very good shooting team to begin with, this will definitely challenge the Huskies perimeter talents. This will make it even more important for the Orange to hit the boards, because you know UConn will come after it on the glass.
At home, I think Demetris Nichols has a little too much for the Huskies, but it will be a struggle as the harassing UConn guards and tough rebounders will not let Syracuse get too far ahead of them. The UConn strengths can take advantage of some Syracuse weaknesses, but the Orange and the Dome crowd will look to have a big effort for a February afternoon.
NBE Blogger Prediction: Syracuse 67 Connecticut 63
Before the season got started, we might have looked at the schedule and highlighted this as a key game in the Big East season. However, at this point in time, Syracuse and Connecticut just does not have the same meaning as we anticipated. Prior to their recent three game conference surge, Connecticut was in grave danger of missing ghe Big East Tournament. Syracuse still has NCAA Tournament hopes, but they still have some work to do to get there.
Twelve days ago Connecticut dealt Syracuse a tough loss as the Orange once again wilted down the stretch in defeat at Connecticut. The young Huskies made the plays they needed to and earned the win. Now, UConn will have to travel to the 'Loud House' and take on a Syracuse team looking for revenge.
Syracuse has the experience with three senior starters in the frontcourt. In the first meeting, Terrence Roberts and Darryl Watkins were left almost useless by foul problems against their young counterparts. Syracuse needs to get the better of the interior match-up and give Demetris Nichols room to fire-away from the outside in the Dome.
The young UConn guards will have to face the Syracuse 2-3 zone in the cavernous Carrier Dome shooting environment. Not a very good shooting team to begin with, this will definitely challenge the Huskies perimeter talents. This will make it even more important for the Orange to hit the boards, because you know UConn will come after it on the glass.
At home, I think Demetris Nichols has a little too much for the Huskies, but it will be a struggle as the harassing UConn guards and tough rebounders will not let Syracuse get too far ahead of them. The UConn strengths can take advantage of some Syracuse weaknesses, but the Orange and the Dome crowd will look to have a big effort for a February afternoon.
NBE Blogger Prediction: Syracuse 67 Connecticut 63
posted by NBE Blogger @ 3:12 PM
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