HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: SYRACUSE (13-8) AT VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (12-8) AT 7PM ACCN

HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: SYRACUSE (13-8) AT VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (12-8) AT 7PM ACCN

Rematch with the Orange in 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 🏰🔥ℹ️: https://t.co/QWJDVGA1ea🤝: @CarilionClinic pic.twitter.com/S3NJdmWSgt— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 28, 2023

Syracuse (13-8, 6-4 ACC)
vs. Virginia Tech (12-8, 2-7 ACC)
January 28, 2023
Cassell Coliseum
7 p.m. ET
ACCN
Virginia Tech Sports Network

TV Broadcast
ACCN
Play-by-Play: Wes Durham
Analyst: Dan Bonner

Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey
Analyst: Mike Burnop

Current Spread: Hokies -6.5
Over/Under: -141

A Different Day...
The Hokies are home against Syracuse teetering between working back to respectability and season over. The Hokies have Cattoor back in this one which is the major difference from the prior game.

The Orangemen are coached by Jim Boeheim. He began his college coaching career in the Stone Age at Syracuse as an assistant coach in 1969 and has been there ever since. He took over at Syracuse in 1976 and has a 1011-434 overall (427-269 in ACC) record guiding the Orangemen.

Syracuse really only has one semi quality win over Notre Dame. All of their other victories are against lower tier ACC and bottom 100 overall teams. Since facing the Hokies they have gone 3-3 with wins over GT, Louisville and Notre Dame. Their losses are to UVA, UNC and Miami.

This team is led by guards Joseph Girard and Judah Mintz, who combine for 33 points, 5 rebounds and assists. Jesse Edwards will also play a major factor in defending the paint.

Defensively, the Orangemen employ the Packline Defense, which focuses on taking away an opponents shot while not giving up easy driving lanes. There is also a huge focus on preventing the high post pass and disrupting return passes from the high post to the top of the key, leading to turnovers. The most critical person in this defense is the center Jesse Edwards, who has shown he is able to sag low in the lane to prevent penetration on the baseline as well as when to press up to prevent interior passing.

Also look for Boeheim to employ a significant amount of full to three quarter court defense off made baskets. The Hokies have struggled with pressure which may encourage Syracuse to increase its use as the game progresses.

Offensively, Syracuse usually runs the motion offense, but in the last two seasons have had a greater focus on creating fast break points and moving quickly to get a shot. Their average possession time is one of the shortest in the NCAA. Boeheim relies on creating extra possessions and increasing the overall speed of play to wear down opponents.

The most important part is the amount of movement in the offense. You don't see one guy with the ball while the other 4 guys just stand around and watch. When someone passes the ball, they immediately move to a different spot on the court, and another player moves to replace them.

One common play that Boeheim teams run extensively in the half-court is called the 23 Orange. In this set play, the 4 and 5 start on the blocks with the 3 in the corner. The other two players begin at the top on the perimeter forming the "23" set. As a post flashes high, the ball handler passes to that post and moves to the opposite wing. The post can then pass to the second guard on the perimeter and follow for a ball screen. If the second guard passes out, the post flashes high and looks to make the high low pass to the opposite big. If it's not there, the post dives low as primary brings the ball up, forming the "23 again". This is a common set in Boeheim's motion offense.

Tomorrow night for its game against Syracuse, @HokiesMBB's staff will wear these custom, colorful shoes 👟The shoes were painted by pediatric oncology patients from @CarilionClinic's Tanglewood Center in Roanoke!— HokieSports (@hokiesports) January 27, 2023

The Orangemen Backcourt
Joseph Girard
11 SR G 6-1 195
17.5 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 3.3 Ast

Judah Mintz
3 FR G 6-3 172
15.0 Pts, 2.4 Reb, 4.4 Ast

Justin Taylor
4.6 Pts, 1.9 Reb, 0.8 Ast

Symir Torrence
10 SR G 6-3 200
2.9 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 1.8 Ast

The Orangemen Frontcourt
Jesse Edwards
14 SR C 6-11 215
13.6 Pts, 10.6 Reb, 1.5 Ast

Chris Bell
0 FR F 6-7 180
7.2 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Benny Williams
13 SO F 6-8 215
7.2 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 1.1 Ast

Maliq Brown
1 FR F 6-8 213
5.8 Pts, 4.6 Reb, 0.7 Ast

What to expect from Syracuse?
Short possessions over and over and over on both sides of the ball. Boeheim aims to get you caught up in the pace so you lose focus on your game plan.

The Orangemen are wildly inconsistent in overall scoring. They range from 95 against Oakland to 44 against #16 Illinois. Average against the better teams is around 65 a game.

Perimeter shooting is a not a major part of the Orangemen strategy. They average only 17 attempts per game but do shoot 36% so the Hokies still must defend the perimeter. That said, most readers here know the history that some no name deep off the bench usually comes in to hit 50% in a career night.

The Hokies
Having Cattoor's ability to defend and shoot from three should make a big difference in the flow of this game. He helps to spread the defense and will give Girard a much harder time. I do not expect Girard to break the 15 point barrier.

Last time against Syracuse, Basile played arguably his most complete game. Getting that kind of inside performance again would be a huge boost for the Hokies.

The Hokies will need big games from Kidd and Poteat along the baseline for backside baskets. Breaking the baseline against this defense needs to add 20+ points overall.

Slow, methodical possessions to find open shots. Expect to see Mutts or Basile alternating at accepting passes along the free throw line in an attempt to draw Edwards high in the lane. This is needed to create baseline opportunities. Maddox role continues to be diminished until he shows the coaches he is ready to be out there.
Collins may get involved coming out of the deep corner three to expose open layup opportunities along the baseline.

Highlight of the Duke game
Silly Basile underneath.

Every game is going to be a battle.We're going to make the best of our situation and 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙀𝙏𝙀 🦃😤 pic.twitter.com/7fBt3qVlYA— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 25, 2023

In Closing
The Hokies get a big boost from Cattoor getting close to form from outside The Hokies have a sold out Cassell to motivate them.

Limiting turnovers and lowering Syracuse' overall opportunities is critical to success. Cattoor shutting down Girard will also make a big difference.

Hokies final will come down to the little things, turnovers, free throws and who shoots the three better.

Hokies pull out a nail biter 71-69.

This is a three Popcorn Decision. Too many inconsistencies game to game to be overly confident.

Confidence Factor: