WBB vs Syracuse

The Ladies play Syracuse tonight at 8PM in the Carrier Dome. The game is on ACCN. Syracuse is 9-10, 3-5 in the ACC. They have losses to #3 Oregon, #5 Stanford and WVA(receiving votes) out of conference. In conference, they have losses at #5 Louisville, at Miami, and at Wake Forest; and home to Georgia Tech, Duke. They have beaten #14 Florida State and Notre Dame at home and Pittsbugh on the road.

The two teams are fairly well matched in height. Syracuse has 7 players that average 20+ minutes per game. Their tallest player starts but only plays about 20 minutes per game. Kiara Lewis has 17 straight double digit scoring games. Emily Engstler has 7 double-doubles this season. Those two will be on the court most of the game along with Gabrielle Cooper. Several players are averaging nearly 3 fouls per game.

As I noted above, they seem to foul frequently; opponents have shot 27 more free throws than Syracuse in ACC play. They have been out-rebounded by about 2.5 rebounds per game. They average about 12 assists and 16 turnovers per game.

Syracuse has not been a good 3 point team in ACC play, averaging only 27% from three. They shoot 37% overall. They have allowed 42% overall and 37% from three. Only Lewis and Engstler average scoring in double digits in ACC play. Their top five scorers will all attempt 2 to 5 three pt shots per game; but only Engstler and Hyman average above 30%.

Stats for those who like to look at them:

It seems like I always feel VT should be able to win these games when I do the write-up; but I have been wrong more than I like, especially for the men. I think this is a winnable road game for the ladies; but they will have to play a complete game. They can't take five minutes off each half where they look like they forgot how to play the game and start throwing the ball away.

Go Hokies!