Syracuse is going to be a tough

[mviale]

Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and their center are all solid players.  This is no cupcake - tells you how tough the BE is when Cuse is #10 in the conference.

[muwarrior87]

will all depend on how tired we can make them. the more we run the better w/ their shallow bench, imo.

[MUFanInGreenBay]

Can't forget Donte Greene who has the most upside as a future NBA player on their team. I will be actually very surprised if we win this game. They're fighting for their NCAA tourney lives. They need this game and at least 2 or 3 more wins in the BE tourney to have a shot at getting in.

[ecompt]

I figure we'll have to run a lot and try to get off shots before they get set in that zone, which they play very well. If we don't hit at least eight three-pointers, we'll lose.

[NavinRJohnson]

Stopping them on their end, rebounding, and beating them down the floor at every opportunity will be the key. Syracuse rebounds well, but they also turn it over a ton, and the game will hinge on those two points. I have heard a lot about how Syracuse will be fighting for their lives and that will make it tougher, but the fact is, they are fighting for their lives because they haven't won very many games. They have some talented players, but they just aren't that good. Are they somehow going to play better or harder than MU because they are desperate? It may help them for a while, but I honestly think MU is going to blow their doors off in the second half. Talent and depth are going to win this one, not desperation.

[Captain Suizo]

I agree.  They didn'y look too sharp against the Hall last night and had a bit of trouble closing out.  Our uptempo game will grind them out.

[tower912]

I see this as a loss.   Guards as athletic as ours, a tough zone defense with long athletes on the perimeter.   Our only advantage is our depth.   If we can rebound and run, we have a chance.  Otherwise, 'cuse by double digits.

[downtown85]

I see it as an easy win, we always play well against teams that play zone defense and have a talented front line.

[NavinRJohnson]

I see it as an easy win, we always play well against teams that play zone defense and have a talented front line.

Yeah, I guess you're right...we really looked like crap on Saturday. 

[1990Warrior]

Xs and Os question:
How do we attack Syracuse's 2-3 zone?
I always here that there is a weak spot in the middle.  Presumably, our response should be to pass the ball to Lazar where he could either shoot or make another pass.  For some reason we do not do this when we play zone.  What will/should we do?

[tower912]

Wes or Lazar to the ft line is a good place to start.   Quick ball movement, inside out passing, penetrate from the guard position when the defense is slow in a shift, make shots.

[Captain Suizo]

The good news is they miss more shots than us and tyrn the ball over.

MU can break down the zone if Wes, McNeal or Lazar drive low and bounce pass to Barro.  Barro's issue is he can't always handle the laser quick pass to the chest which just results in turnovers.  McNeal has to actually make that pass rather than trying to draw the foul.  Still, if we get the steals, the Cuse will be glad to let us score, they just don't get back in transition.

[AlumKCof93]

It will all come down to defense.  If we come out with defensive energy and make them work on each possession, then we should be in good shape.