In the Paint: Duke

IN THE PAINT

su vs duke feb. 22, 2017

d a i ly o r a n g e . c o m

BITTERSWEET

FAKE TRADITIONS

ON THE INSIDE

John Gillon transferred to SU for a bigger role, but he’s had to deal with an up-and-down year. See page 3

When SU moved to the ACC, many pegged Duke as its rival. But one beat writer doesn’t see it that way. See page 5

Taurean Thompson has struggled with foul trouble. But he’s SU’s best interior scorer when on the court. See page 9

2 feb. 22, 2017

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After searching for consistency all season, John Gillon enters

THE FINAL CHAPTER

By Paul Schwedelson senior staff writer

J

ohn Gillon sped past his Syracuse teammates while warming up. The fullcourt jog called for him to expend only a portion of his energy, but Gillon didn’t care. It’s not in his nature to ease up. Twenty-three days before his Orange debut, the newest Orange point guard already vowed to give his all.

“I’m going to go harder than anyone else,” Gillon said to assistant coach Adrian Autry without slowing down.

As Gillon kept running during SU’s first practice on the Carrier Dome floor this season, director of operations Kip Wellman took note.

“That guy is wild, man,” Wellman said to Autry.

Gillon’s wild season had begun. In the third game, he fumbled the ball out of bounds in front of Jim Boeheim. The 41-year head coach immediately subbed out Gillon 24 seconds after he entered. “Are you crazy!?” Boeheim said.

At the next media timeout one minute later, Boeheim spoke to Gillon at the end of the bench.

Afterward, the point guard sat back down and tapped both fists against his head. Assistant coach Gerry McNamara patted Gillon on the knee while he tucked his face inside his jersey.

Gillon repeatedly has made the best of circumstances. He transferred to Syracuse after spending one year at Arkansas-Little Rock and three at Colorado State, twice giving himself a chance to move to a higher level of competition.

But in college basketball’s best conference, the journeyman has had the most turbulent season of any Orange player.

Now with three regular season games left in his career, Gillon’s job is simple: Command Syracuse (16-12, 8-7 Atlantic Coast) from the point guard position and provide the consistency he’s lacked for most of the year. Should he do that, SU will have a chance to squeak into the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season in what would be Gillon’s first-career Big Dance.

“I just try to control what I can control,” Gillon said.

Since taking the reigns of the team by entering the starting lineup on Jan. 4, he’s averaged 12.3 points and a 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio in 34.6 minutes. All season, point guard production has been the biggest question surrounding the Orange. Sometimes, Gillon has been the answer.

Other times, the man motivated by letdowns suffered one after the other.

Against South Carolina, the Gamecocks dared Gillon to generate offense by attacking the basket. He attempted one shot and committed five turnovers in Syracuse’s first loss of the season. The Orange had to “look in the mirror” and improve.

A week later, his grandfather died. Gillon, distracted, didn’t want to use it as an excuse, but in a two-game stretch he went 0-for-4 from the field, didn’t score a point and committed two turnovers. Against Boston University, the day of his grandfather’s funeral, Gillon scored 23 points in what was his best performance of the year. The next day, he flew home to Houston for the burial ceremony.

Despite Gillon’s flashes of potential, Syracuse’s season teetered on catastrophic. Following SU’s 33-point loss to St. John’s — its worst home loss under Boeheim — Gillon said “I’ve got to figure out a way to just (score more).”

Eleven days later, the Orange lost by 15 points at Boston College. Gillon, who shot 2-of-10, knows it’s a point guard’s responsibility to lead, but he didn’t do it. The transition to his third school in five years wasn’t as smooth as he had hoped. While fellow graduate transfer Andrew White fit seamlessly as a key piece in Syracuse’s see gillon page 4

JOHN GILLON is in search of his first NCAA Tournament appearance, something he hasn’t accomplished in his previous years at Arkansas-Little Rock and Colorado State.

ally moreo photo editor

4 feb. 22, 2017

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SU opponent preview: What to know about No. 10 Duke

By Connor Grossman senior staff writer

It’s finally time for Syracuse and Duke. In the most anticipated matchup of the season, the No. 12 Blue Devils (22-5, 10-4 Atlantic Coast) enter Wednesday night’s game in the Carrier Dome having won seven straight, while Syracuse (16-12, 8-7) is coming off a loss on the road against Georgia Tech.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wednesday’s matchup.

All-time series: Duke leads, 5-4 Last time they played: In a 2015-

16 season full of surprising wins, beating the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Arena last January was among Syracuse’s most unlikely feats. SU’s eight-point lead with a little over five minutes remaining was the largest advantage for either team in the game, but Duke still trimmed its deficit to a single point with 34 seconds to go. A couple of defensive stops for the Orange sealed the game, in which Tyler Roberson notched a third-straight double-double with 14 points and 20 rebounds. Roberson set a record for the most rebounds by a visiting player in Cameron Indoor Arena and his 14 offensive rebounds tied Billy Owens’ single-game SU record set in 1990.

31.7 3-point percentage for Duke opponents

The Duke report: This season has been

nothing short of a roller coaster for the Blue Devils. Heralded as the top-ranked team in college basketball for the season’s first two weeks, Duke steadily began a decline, losing three of four games last month. Duke slipped

Duke enters Wednesday night’s matchup ranked No. 10, riding a seven-game win streak. Syracuse, on the other hand, is in the middle of a three-game skid, most recently falling to Georgia Tech on the road this past Sunday. daily orange file photo

to No. 21 in the rankings, but has since responded by winning seven straight. With all the publicity surrounding controversial Grayson Allen, it’s Luke Kennard who’s been the Blue Devils’ best player. He’s one of the ACC’s top scorers, coupled with Amile Jefferson, one of the conference’s best defensive players. The senior forward is among the ACC’s leaders in rebounds and blocks. Up and down the roster, Duke is one of the deepest teams in the country.

How Syracuse beats Duke: The Orange’s split, home-and-away personality is a narrative beaten into the ground. But Syracuse playing better in the Carrier Dome is the only predictable outcome in what’s been a bizarre season. For whatever reason, SU can go shot-for-shot with the

country’s best teams on its home court.

Games against Louisville, Virginia and Florida State are enough reason to think the Orange can hang with the Blue Devils.

But to win, SU will need to unleash one of its best defensive efforts of the season. Duke leads the ACC in field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage during conference play, a specific area of defensive weakness for SU. If Syracuse can neutralize sharpshooters like Jayson Tatum and Kennard, it’ll have a good chance at keeping up.

Stat to know: 31.7 percent — The Blue Devils shoot 3-pointers better than any ACC team in conference play. Duke opponents are shooting a lowly 31.7 percent from behind the arc, a definite concern for Syracuse given how poorly it handled the 3-point

from page 3

cgrossma@syr.edu | @connorgrossman

One hundred twenty-two days since vowing to go hard in October, Gillon fulfilled his plan.

He knows his team needs him as the season seesaws between NCAA Tournament berth and disappointment. He earned his way into the starting lineup by impressing in practice and remains animated while training.

gillon offense, Gillon battled for playing time with sophomore Frank Howard. Boeheim said the Orange “deserved to be right where they are,” and needed better point guard play.

In the season’s first two months, Gillon floundered while rarely playing more than 10 consecutive minutes. The point guard tug-of-war with Howard bothered him. On the court, he wondered when he’d sub out.

On the bench, he wondered when he’d sub in.

“You always want to be in the game if you’re a competitor,” Gillon said. “That’s what I try to be.”

Playing time wasn’t the only thing Gillon was uncomfortable with. The Houston native wasn’t prepared for his first Syracuse snowfall and said he needed to make a trip to Walmart to stock up on proper equipment and clothing. He also wasn’t used to the attention he received from fans.

He’d never played in front of as many people that fill the Dome and a month in to the season, he shot back at Twitter trolls.

After a program-worst five nonconference losses, SU’s players were aware they weren’t living up to the standard established by their predecessors.

“How generational, how deep rooted, how passionate the fans are,” Gillon’s mother, Phyllis, said of what her son had to learn.

“We don’t want to be on the wrong side of history.”

Following the abysmal loss to Boston College on New Year’s Day, Boeheim picked Gillon as the sole point guard in the starting lineup for the first time all season. Eight points, 11 assists, 39 minutes and a win.

Boeheim did it again three days later. Twenty points, 11 assists, 40 minutes and another victory. That’s when Gillon cemented himself as Syracuse’s starting point guard.

defense from a similar Louisville team. The Cardinals boast the best 3-point defense in conference play, and forced the Orange into an 8-for-34 performance from deep.

Player to know: Luke Kennard, guard, No. 5 The 6-foot-6 sophomore is the can’t-miss scoring talent on the Blue Devils. He’s demonstrated an elite jumper around the basket and a selective presence behind the arc. He’s not going to match Andrew White in 3-point attempts, but he might in actual baskets. Kennard shoots 45.5 percent from 3, better than any player on Syracuse. If the Orange can’t get a handle on Kennard defensively — not many teams have — it’s going to be a mighty challenge to keep pace with Duke.

I just wanted to set the tone in practice — set the tone when we play. Just getting on my team as the point guard, I’m not allowing for little stuff to go.

John Gillon su point guard

GILLON earned the starting point guard spot after the Jan. 4 matchup against Miami.

He has averaged 12.3 points per game since starting. ally moreo photo editor

“I just wanted to set the tone in practice — set the tone when we play,” Gillon said.

“Just getting on my team as the point guard, I’m not allowing for little stuff to go.”

He set the tone in the Orange’s recent fivegame win streak, too. Gillon orchestrated two pivotal possessions down the stretch to seal a five-point win over Wake Forest. He scored 21 against then-No. 6 Florida State, including SU’s last 13. His late 3-pointer against North Carolina State sent the game into overtime and he finished with 43 points in what immediately became known as The John Gillon Game.

“Coach Boeheim is a tough coach to play for as a point guard,” White said, “because

you’re expected to run a team that’s expected to win. That’s something he’s finally come to grips with.”

Three straight losses to Pittsburgh, Louisville and Georgia Tech put Syracuse back on a slippery slope entering the final stretch of the regular season. Still, Gillon is motivated by the people who told him he’s too small or too slow, the ones who ruled out an unlikely SU climb back into Tournament contention. Gillon still isn’t afraid to take the last shot in a game — he’s still the wild man Wellman noticed.

“The minute he loses that chip,” former AAU coach Jawann McClellan said, “he won’t be the same player.”

On Friday in the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center, Gillon demanded that two team managers push him harder.

They held cushioned pads to bump players while dribbling toward the rim. The 6-foot Gillon yelled “They’re too small!” and urged them to whack harder. The managers tried but couldn’t rattle him.

He’d already weathered the expectations of a tradition rich fan base, the wrath of a head coach with a short leash and the gauntlet of the nation’s best conference.

Now Syracuse needs Gillon to be steady after a season filled with highs and lows.

“The journey has been,” Phyllis Gillon said before hesitating. “We’re still writing the book … Every game we turn a page, and I think that’s a great analogy of what John’s journey has been. The book is still in progress.” pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds

feb. 22, 2017 5

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Since joining the ACC, Syracuse has tried to start a rivalry between division foe Duke, but the Blue Devils already have their rival in North Carolina. daily orange file photo

SU-Duke rivalry? The Blue Devils are taken

C

ollege basketball is filled with fun matchups. Kansas against Missouri. North Carolina against North Carolina State. Even Syracuse against Duke. They’re all games that garner some attention for one reason or another.

But for a rivalry to thrive, both teams must care mutually. No matter how intense Syracuse plays against Duke, and no matter how many bodies squish into the Carrier Dome year after year, the Blue Devils will hold the North Carolina game in higher regard. No one in Durham yells, “Go to hell, Syracuse!”

Once again, SU students camped out PAUL leading up to the Orange’s (16-12, 8-7 SCHWEDELSON Atlantic Coast) matchup against the Blue BETTER Devils (22-5, 10-4) on Wednesday at 7 CA LL PAUL p.m. Since two epic games in Syracuse’s first year in the ACC, the “rivalry” with Duke has declined in the past three years. But even with an uptick in quality of both teams, magnitude of the game and memorable moments, the Blue Devils can’t serve as SU’s premier rival. Duke’s taken.

“If you’re in that situation, you think your rivalry is just as good as Duke and North Carolina. There’s no question about that,” UNC head coach Roy Williams said. “… But there’s just some extra things that make Duke and North Carolina a little special because nobody else has that.”

Syracuse-Duke doesn’t have the proximity or the history to make it anywhere close to a premier rivalry in college basketball.

The Orange and Blue Devils have been in the same league for only four seasons. The last time they played before that, SU freshmen Tyus Battle, Taurean Thompson and Matthew Moyer hadn’t even celebrated their first birthdays. Outside of a friendship between two Hall of Fame coaches, virtually nothing connects the two programs.

Delaney King, a senior at Duke and line monitor for the Cameron Crazies’ UNC campout, compared Syracuse to Maryland, Wake Forest and N.C. State. They’re semi-big games against opponents that view Duke as a rival, but Blue Devils fans don’t quite reciprocate. When SU visited Durham for the first time in 2014, students were camped out, but only because the home game against North Carolina was two weeks later.

“Duke in general is just one of those schools that everybody wants to hate,” King said. “So I’ve gotten used to it over the four years. People are going to want to see us do badly or beat us and I

see schwedelson page 8

TYLER ROBERSON had arguably the best performance of his career against Duke last season, posting a visitor-record 20 rebounds. daily orange file photo

TYLER LYDON t h e i n de pe n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa pe r of s y r ac us e , n e w yor k

8 feb. 22, 2017

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Q&A with Charlotte Observer Duke writer Jessika Morgan The D.O.: Which under-the-radar player

By Connor Grossman senior staff writer

On Wednesday, Syracuse returns home to play one of its most hyped games of the season, squaring off with No. 12 Duke in the Carrier Dome.

To learn more about the Blue Devils, The Daily Orange talked with Duke beat writer Jessika Morgan of the Charlotte Observer.

The Daily Orange: In such a topsy-turvy season, what is the state of Duke basketball right now?

Jessika Morgan: Duke is closer and closer to the team it had really hoped to be in October. I think there’s a ton more consistency these past few weeks because the team, highlighted by this star-studded freshman class, has had more opportunities to practice at full strength. But even today, Duke doesn’t have all of its guys because veterans Amile Jefferson (foot) and Grayson Allen (ankle) are playing injured and haven’t been able to practice.

What’s scary is that I don’t think Duke is at full strength on the court because of those injuries and because we haven’t seen the best of freshmen bigs Harry Giles and Marques Bolden.

The D.O.: After losing three of four games in January, the Blue Devils are on a sevengame win streak. What’s fueled the recent from page 5

schwedelson think of Syracuse as one of those schools.”

After two classics in Syracuse’s first year in the league, a window cracked open illuminating the potential of the matchup. The Orange broke an on-campus attendance record, set a school record for 21 straight season-opening wins and beat Duke by two in overtime. Three weeks later, C.J. Fair committed the most controversial charge in recent SU history and Orange head coach Jim Boeheim nearly ripped off his jacket in frustration. The meme

TYLER LYDON has been one of the more consistent players on a Syracuse team that is fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth. daily orange file photo

run of success?

J.M.: Duke has more of its pieces in place and guys are starting to settle into their roles. Star freshman Jayson Tatum takes over when he needs to, having a couple of huge second halves during this seven-game stretch. Duke has shared the ball much

more, thus, becoming a lot more efficient from the floor. The Blue Devils averaged about 10 assists during a four-game stretch where they lost three games. The next four, starting at Wake Forest to ignite their current win streak, the team averaged more than 15 assists a game.

still circulates the Internet.

“I remember thinking in that moment, ‘Holy cow, this is going to be fun,’” said Johnny Oliver, president of the student section group Otto’s Army. “It’s a little disappointing the relationship between the two teams went downhill a little bit, but I think there was no place for the quote-unquote rivalry to go because man, that first year, both games were just all-time classics.”

To get back to that level of intensity isn’t easy. Both teams would need to be among the nation’s best like they were in Year One. More important, Syracuse would need to

prove that it’s not just like any other school that gets up for the Blue Devils since most fan bases do anyway.

The title of ESPN’s documentary, “I Hate Christian Laettner,” could be uttered by a North Carolina fan. Or a Kentucky fan. Or a fan of any college basketball team in the country, outside of Durham. Syracuse is no different in that regard.

The Orange’s annual meeting against the Blue Devils could be fun. It’s noteworthy anytime two well-respected programs meet.

It’s invigorating anytime the Dome fills at or near capacity. But Duke-Syracuse isn’t

should Syracuse fans be aware of?

J.M.: Javin DeLaurier hasn’t played since he was in for one minute against N.C. State on Jan. 23, but he can provide a big spark if Duke needs it. The freshman forward is extremely athletic but hasn’t gotten much action in ACC play.

The D.O.: If there’s a way, how can Syracuse beat Duke?

J.M.: Duke has so many individual threats it can use. Even if you shut down a Tatum or Luke Kennard, Grayson Allen can take off.

Matt Jones can take off. Frank Jackson can take off. It’ll be a challenge to contain the guys who can get their own shot, but a super scorer from Syracuse can at least keep it in the game.

The Orange should take advantage if Duke happens to have a major scoring gap, which it hasn’t done lately but has done before.

The D.O.: Any thought on what the outcome of Wednesday’s game will be?

J.M.: I think Duke is rolling. I know ACC teams haven’t particularly done well on the road, but with a road win over UVA and then earlier at Notre Dame, I don’t see the Blue Devils slowing down with so much at stake these next four games. They’ve proven how well they can overcome adversity, and the only thing that may in their way is themselves — and perhaps North Carolina. cjgrossma@syr.edu | @connorgrossman

a true rivalry. At this point, the Orange doesn’t have a true rival, only a deteriorating relationship with Georgetown since leaving the Big East.

Blame conference realignment if you want. Blame greediness for football money.

Blame UNC for occupying a spot in the sport’s best rivalry. Either way, recognize Wednesday night for what it is. A fun game, not a rivalry game.

Paul Schwedelson is a senior staff writer at The Daily Orange, where his column appears occasionally. He can be reached at pmschwed@syr.edu or @pschweds.

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TAUREAN THOMPSON scored 14 points in the first half against Georgia Tech on Sunday night. Throughout the season, he’s proven to be one of Syracuse’s best scoring options among bigs, converting on the inside and stretching the floor with a solid midrange jumper.

courtesy of danny karnik | georgia tech athletics

A

TLANTA – Even guarded by Ben Lammers, Georgia Tech’s best player and one of the best interior defenders in the country, Taurean Thompson had his way.

Whether a turnaround hook, pump fake and drive or mid-range jumper, Thompson proved why he’s still undoubtedly Syracuse’s best interior scorer. The freshman poured in 14 first-half points, the most of anyone on the floor, while hitting 50 percent from the field.

Thompson was one rare bright spot in a stagnant offense for Syracuse (16-12, 8-7 Atlantic Coast) in its 71-65 loss to Georgia Tech (16-11, 7-7) at McCamish Pavilion on Sunday night. While the offense as a whole struggled, especially for the first chunk of the second half, Thompson finished with a team-high 18 points and 12 boards. He also logged his first career double-double while avoiding late foul trouble to give Syracuse’s offense a glimmer of hope before its bout with No. 10 Duke (22-5, 10-4) on Wednesday.

“I felt like they didn’t wanna pressure me a lot,” Thompson said. “It felt like the focal point wasn’t me, so it opened me up for a lot of opportunities.”

This season, Thompson has scored in spurts. He’s done so often at the beginning of second halves, but against the Yellow Jackets the SU freshman operated at will right after the ball tipped.

BONUS TIME

Taurean Thompson gives SU offensive hope against No. 10 Duke — if he can stay out of foul trouble

By Matt Schneidman senior staff writer

After blocking a pair of shots to in the first 4:22, Thompson hit a pair of foul shots after grabbing two offensive rebounds and drawing a foul. Then he cut baseline to flush home a John Gillon feed. Then a catch at the foul line followed by a turn, drive and lefthanded finish with contact.

“I think he was aggressive and confident.

He carried us in the first half,” fifth-year

senior Andrew White said. “It’s just good for him to be out there to kind of give us a spark just because they had a problem defending the interior players, so he did a good job, had a lot of different moves in this game.”

Lammers came into the game ranked second nationally in blocks per game (3.3) and more than lived up to that billing, swatting a game-high seven shots. Thomp-

son was on the wrong end of some, but got his fare share of payback on both ends.

After hitting a long 2-pointer in front of the Yellow Jackets’ bench, Thompson held up three fingers before realizing his foot was on the line, instead putting one finger down and grinning on his way back down the court with Syracuse up seven late in the first half.

Thompson only scored four points on nine shots in the second half, partly because he temporarily exited with 13:13 remaining after picking up his fourth foul.

It’s about the only thing that weighed down the freshman — a consistent problem this season.

Thompson faces that challenge again when the powerhouse Blue Devils arrive in central New York on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Mike Krzyzewski’s frontcourt is powered by fifth-year senior Amile Jefferson, and Thompson likely won’t go as unnoticed as he thought he did against Georgia Tech.

The Blue Devils are among the favorites in Vegas to win the national title, and it’ll take another herculean effort from Syracuse – including a foul-trouble free night from Thompson – to give the Orange a chance to pull off yet another Top-10 upset.

“He’s a 15-point-a-game scorer,” Boeheim said Monday, “if he could stay out of foul trouble.” mcschnei@syr.edu | @mattschneidman

10 feb. 22, 2017

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ROSTERS SYRACUSE No. 1 2 3 4 10 11 12 13 20 21 24 25 32 33 34 35 54

Name Frank Howard Matthew Moyer Andrew White III John Gillon Braedon Bayer Adrian Autry Taurean Thompson Paschal Chukwu Tyler Lydon Tyler Roberson Shaun Belbey Tyus Battle Dajuan Coleman Jonathan Radner Doyin Akintobi-Adeyeye Ray Featherston Ky Feldman

Position G F G G G G F C F F G G C G F G G

Height 6-5 6-8 6-7 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-10 7-2 6-9 6-8 5-10 6-6 6-9 5-10 6-6 5-8 5-10

Weight 205 220 210 178 185 182 225 226 223 226 165 205 258 168 230 150 150

Year So. Fr. Gr. Gr. So. So. Fr. So. So. Sr. So. Fr. Gr. So. Sr. Fr. So.

Hometown / High school Suitland, Md. / Paul VI Gahanna, Ohio / Lincoln HS/South Kent Prep (Conn.)

Richmond, Va. / Miller School Houston, Texas / Strake Jesuit HS Lagrangeville, N.Y. / Trinity-Pawling School Jamesville, N.Y. / Jamesville-DeWitt New York, N.Y. / St. Anthony HS/Brewster Academy (N.H.) Westport, Conn. / Fairfield Prep Elizaville, N.Y. / New Hampton School, N.H. Union, N.J. / Roselle Catholic Brick, N.J. / Christian Brothers Academy Edison, N.J. / Gill St. Bernard’s School/St. Joseph’s (N.J.) Jamesville, N.Y. / Jamesville-DeWitt Huntington Woods, Mich. / Berkeley Uniondale, N.Y. / Uniondale Westport, Conn. / Fairfield Prep/Choate Rosemary Hall Agoura Hills, Ca. / Agoura High School

Name Jayson Tatum Harry Giles Chase Jeter Grayson Allen Luke Kennard Javin DeLaurier Matt Jones Frank Jackson Marques Bolden Amile Jefferson Antonio Vrankovic Sean Obi Jack White Nick Pagliuca Justin Robinson Brennan Besser

Position F F F/C G G F G G C F C F F G F G

Height 6-8 6-10 6-10 6-5 6-6 6-10 6-5 6-3 6-11 6-9 7-0 6-9 6-7 6-3 6-8 6-5

Weight 205 240 230 202 202 220 204 205 245 224 261 255 215 195 194 188

Year Fr. Fr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Gr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. So.

Hometown / High school St. Louis, Mo. / Chaminade College Prep Winston-Salem, N.C. / Forest Trail Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman Jacksonville, Fla. / Providence School Franklin, Ohio / Franklin Shipman, Va. / Saint Anne’s Belfield DeSoto, Texas / DeSoto Alpine, Utah / Lone Peak DeSoto, Texas / DeSoto Philadelphia, Pa. / Friends Central School Delray Beach, Fla. / Pine Crest School Kaduna, Nigeria / Greens Farms Academy Traralgon, Victoria, Australia / Australian Institute of Sport Weston, Mass. / Milton Academy San Antonio, Texas / San Antonio Christian Academy Chicago, Ill. / Latin School

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feb. 22, 2017 11

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PREGAME PLAYBOOK beat writer predictions

working back

After losing three straight games, Syracuse (16-12, 8-7 Atlantic Coast) has an opportunity to improve its NCAA Tournament chances against Duke (225, 10-4) Wednesday night in the Carrier Dome. The Blue Devils are riding a sevengame win streak, most recently defeating Wake Forest, 99-94. Here’s how The Daily Orange beat writers think the game will unfold.

29.6

ICY Tyus Battle’s field-goal percentage over the last four games. Battle had been dealing with flu like symptoms for the last 10 days.

CONNOR GROSSMAN (15-13) duke 74, syracuse 63

BLUE BALLED As tempting as it was to predict another stunner in the Carrier Dome, Syracuse proved it was mortal (barely) by losing in overtime to Louisville. SU will keep it close and tease at another upset for most of the night, but its tournament hopes are essentially laid to rest with a fourth consecutive loss and two regular season games remaining. Duke enters Wednesday night as winners of seven straight, wielding a high-powered offense that will dismantle the Orange’s zone. Expect one of the best atmospheres the Dome has seen this year — just don’t expect a Syracuse win.

27

Battle has averaged 27 minutes per game in the month of February when struggling with the sickness.

23

MATT SCHNEIDMAN (13-15) duke 81, syracuse 72

TRIPPED UP Mike Krzyzewski’s team has won seven in a row, and the Blue Devils look like the national title contender they came into the season projected as. Freshman Jayson Tatum and junior Grayson Allen are firing on all cylinders, and Duke is just too high-powered for this sluggish Syracuse defense to stop. On Wednesday in the Carrier Dome, the Blue Devils will get out to a sizable second-half lead, and this time there are no comebacks to be had.

Battle ranks second on the team with 23 steals during conference play. When healthy, he wreaks havoc jumping passing lanes in SU’s defense.

they said it

free points!

I don’t know how anyone who has watched us all year would ask that.

PAUL SCHWEDELSON (17-11) duke 76, syracuse 54

No lead is safe against them.

Jim Boeheim

PLAYING LIKE DOOKIE Syracuse hasn’t been blown out since midJanuary, but after suffering three straight losses, SU’s struggles have cropped up once again. The Blue Devils are the hottest they’ve been all season with seven straight wins and every contributor healthy. Duke began the year as the top-ranked team in the AP poll for a reason. Now that the Blue Devils have finally hit their stride, Syracuse faces another opponent it can’t match up against. Except this time, for the first time in a while, the Orange will get blown out.

Three Syracuse players — John Gillon, Andrew White and Tyler Lydon — are shooting above 80 percent from the free throw line this season.

su head coach on if backup point guard frank howard was an option in the final minutes against georgia tech

Josh Pastner

georgia tech head coach on su’s ability to come back from large deficits late in games

POINTS PER GAME GILLON

The only games we’ve won, John Gillon has won for us … He’s the best point guard we’ve got by 10 miles.

Fans don’t know enough about basketball … If I got caught up in that it would mess my head up.

Jim Boeheim

John Gillon

su head coach

85.7%

WHITE

81.7%

LYDON

80.9%

su point guard on hearing “airball” chants

by the numbers On the Decline Since joining the ACC before the 2013-14 season, Syracuse has played Duke in relatively low-scoring affairs

FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE

91

78

80

74

7

Duke enters the game on a seven-game winning streak, the longest currently in the ACC

73 76

2016-2017

66

72

62

60

SYRACUSE DUKE

3-POINT PERCENTAGE 2015-2016

1-18-2016

2-14-2015

2-22-2014

2-1-2014

3-20-1998

54 12-6-1989

39.5

78

72

67

12-28-1971

46.6

2015-2016

80

89

2-28-2015

81

3-12-1966

POINTS SCORED

91

YOU TRIPPIN’ After a stellar sophomore season, Grayson Allen’s shooting percentages have dipped this year. Still, he is a threat for Duke.

2016-2017

41.7

35.6

52.3

Luke Kennard’s field-goal percentage this season. The 6-foot-6-inch guard also averages 20 points a game.

12 feb. 22, 2017

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