No matter the broadcast team, it’s a good bet that at least some of any Syracuse Orange men’s basketball game’s commentary will focus on the 2-3 zone. When it’s effective, a lot of that harps on why it’s so tough to beat. When it it isn’t, the bigger narratives are around how opponents can specifically beat it (even if not that specific iteration of it).
Over on Hoops Vision, Jordan Sperber tackles the zone head-on, taking a look at what actually works for opposing offenses looking to decode it. And what decidedly doesn’t. Most notably, he dives into the idea that getting the ball into the high post is the key to winning — and how that’s not always an effective strategy (plus how Jim Boeheim’s actually ready for this specific plan of attack).
It’s worth reading the whole article, as Jordan utilizes quite a few gifs and important data points to elaborate on his points. You can check out that, plus the rest of today’s links below.
Kryptonite or Cliche? (HoopVision)
First and foremost, Syracuse makes it difficult for an offense to comfortably get the ball into the high post. The Orange are — by design — consistently one of the tallest and longest teams in the country. Last season, Syracuse ranked 28th in kenpom’s average height, which was actually their smallest team since the 2008-09 season. Second, Syracuse almost always has a long and lanky center playing the bottom of the zone.
Syracuse commit Kamari Lands on decision to open his recruitment: ‘I want the opportunity to be recruited with NIL’ (Syracuse.com)
Reached by phone shortly after posting his decision on social media, Lands explained that he wanted to be recruited again so he could hear from coaches about his opportunities under the NCAA’s new legislation allowing athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since the NIL bill came out,’’ Lands said. “I haven’t had the opportunity to be recruited in that way.’’
Syracuse’s Black stopping in mid-flight to help Orange soar (Watertown Daily Times)
The sixth-year senior said that he will hold off on such moves this fall as he focuses on approaching the end of SU training camp and inching closer to the Sept. 4 season opener at Ohio. “I myself felt like I was responsible for that 1-10 season, not being the leader that I should have been,” Black said after Friday’s practice. “I should have been more vocal. I should have helped out bringing along the whole team instead of just my position group.”
ACC Field Hockey: UNC Again Favored in Coaches’ Preseason Poll (The ACC)
UNC received six first-place votes and placed atop this year’s ACC preseason poll with 48 total points. Boston College (30 points) was picked for a second-place finish, while Virginia picked up the remaining first-place vote to hold the No. 3 spot with 25 points. Wake Forest (24 points) finished fourth in the voting, while Duke, Louisville and Syracuse tied for fifth place with 23 total points each.
Dajuan Coleman: Where is He Now? (All Syracuse)
“Take it day by day…That’s one thing I did,” Coleman said. While playing college basketball can be a very rewarding experience for some, Coleman stresses the importance of focusing on your mental health. “Surround yourself with a good support system, stay engaged with the game, try to watch as much basketball, learn as much as you can,” Coleman said.
The pandemic ripped Syracuse football apart. Six seniors won’t walk away after a season of turmoil (Syracuse.com)
ACC 2021 football preview: Can anyone top Clemson? Mack Brown, UNC take aim. Predictions, players to watch (The Athletic)
Spencer Mahoney ‘Very Excited’ for Syracuse Offer (All Syracuse)
Former Syracuse football players Lee Kpogba, Drew Tuazama land at EMCC (247Sports)
Corner kicks propel Syracuse to 2-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson in season-opener (Daily Orange)
Jaguars 2021 Training Camp: Urban Meyer on camp battles, including Andre Cisco’s (Jaguars.com)