Five Takeaways: Syracuse 87 NC State 83
Syracuse basketball picked up an impressive road win at NC State Tuesday night. Here are five takeaways from the victory.
1. Chris Bell
Chris Bell was as hot as it gets in the first half, making his first eight three point attempts and scoring 24 of his 26 points on the night. NC State continued to help off of him when Syracuse would drive or cut to the basket, and Bell's teammates found him nearly every time. The only disappointing thing was not running anything for him in the second half given how hot he was. Now, NC State did adjust its defense to prevent the same thing from reoccurring. That does not mean Syracuse could not counter the counter. I really thought he would break the program record for most threes in a game (nine) after hitting eight in the first half. A little disappointing he did not get much of an opportunity to do that.
2. Rebounding
The rebounding was much, much better in this game than against Georgia Tech. Everyone crashed the boards and kept the deficit to just two on the night. Five Orange players had at least three rebounds. Every Syracuse player who played at least 10 minutes grabbed at least three boards other than Judah Mintz who had two. Being undersized, Syracuse is going to have to make it a collective effort each game. It has to be more consistent, no doubt, but this was a good performance on the glass.
3. Quadir Copeland
Copeland was simply fantastic in this game. He closed it out and was superb most of the night. He scored a career high 25 points on 10-12 shooting, was 5-6 from the free-throw line, led the team in rebounding with seven and made several clutch plays on both ends. Copeland can be a bit up and down, but you can also see the potential. When he can gain a bit more consistency, he has the potential to be a superstar.
4. Composure
It would have been easy to sulk after NC State rallied all the way back from a 15 point deficit to take the lead late in the second half. Given everything that has happened with Syracuse this season, the recent loss to Georgia Tech and all the negative talk surrounding the team, a poor reaction to the comeback was the easy response. Instead, this team showed composure on both ends to make clutch plays and secure the win. As much as has been made about the body language and attitudes of this team, it is important to point out when they come together like this. Kudos to them.
5. Just When You Thought You Were Out, They Bring You Back In
Are you not entertained? Every time it seems the season is all but over, they reel you back in. Whether it was the win over North Carolina after losing to Clemson or this win after falling to Georgia Tech. At least they are making it interesting. Now, Syracuse is on the outside looking in for being on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament. However, this win still gives them an outside shot. The Orange has to keep stacking wins and see where things fall. If Syracuse wins out and wins a game or two in the ACC Tournament, it will be in the thick of the discussion. Going 3-1 with a loss at Clemson followed by one or two in the ACC Tournament may also give them an outside shot depending on what others do. The point is, Syracuse lives to see another day for the time being. With games against Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Louisville up coming, Syracuse has to win all three.
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