Syracuse basketball welcomes Cornell to the JMA Wireless Dome for its first game back from the UKG Legends Classic in Brooklyn.
The Orange (3-2) have yet to play a game that was decided by more than 9 points, while Cornell (4-2) is coming off a 16-point win on the road against Iona.
Syracuse basketball has won the last 43 meetings against the Big Red. The Orange hope to use this matchup to bounce back after two straight losses.
Game Information:
Teams: Syracuse (3-2) and Cornell (4-2)
Tip-off time: 7 p.m. EST
Watch: ESPN+/ ACCNX
Listen: Syracuse Sports Radio Network
What to know about Cornell:
Cornell makes the trip to the JMA Wireless Dome following an 84-68 win against Iona. In New Rochelle, the Big Red were led by Cooper Noard who scored 20 points while knocking down three triples on the year. Noard is averaging just over 10 points and is one of three Cornell players averaging in double figures. Jake Fiegen is currently the statistical leader for this Big Red squad. The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 15.5 points per game.
Cornell’s offense’s most important aspect is its ability to score fast-break points. Through six games this season, the Big Red are averaging just above 17 points per game in transition. They are currently ranked 20th in this category, and this will be a huge point of emphasis against a Syracuse basketball team that has struggled early in the season with transition defense.
Cornell will also rely on their three-point shooting. They put up just over 30 triples per game, which is 22nd in the country in that statistical category. But the Big Red has not been consistent from behind the arc. In their win over Iona, they shot 40% from three. Earlier this season, however, in a loss to La Salle, Cornell shot just 18% from behind the arc. If Cornell can score on the fastbreak and shoot a consistent number from three, they can give Syracuse basketball a run in the JMA Dome.
Latest on Syracuse basketball:
Syracuse basketball returns home after losing two games at the UKG Legends Classic in Brooklyn. The Orange lost to Texas basketball in the first round and in the third-place game to Texas Tech basketball by single digits. Although they left the Barclays Center without a win, the Orange showed they have improved in a few areas.
First, the free throw line was a major problem for the Orange in their first-round matchup against the Longhorns. They shot just 50% on 18 attempts, in the four-point loss. But in the third-place game against the Red Raiders, Syracuse basketball improved from the line, going 24-28.
But the main focus for the Orange should be on the three-point line, both offensively and defensively. The Orange are shooting a poor 25% from behind the arc, this puts them inside the bottom 15 in the NCAA in that category. The most triples that the Orange have made in a single game this season is 8 against Colgate, and have made five or fewer in three of their games thus far. On the defensive end, their opponents are shooting over 30% from behind the arc. This is not a terrible number but that puts them just outside the top 175 in the country.
If the Orange want to bounce back against Cornell, it will all start with their effectiveness on both sides of the ball from deep.