NEWS NOW: Over North Carolina Syracuse Displays Heart and Unity in Victory
NEWS NOW: Over North Carolina Syracuse Displays Heart and Unity in Victory
Syracuse Shows Heart, Togetherness in Win Over North
You could have written off Syracuse Men’s Basketball’s chances of making it to the big dance, but they quickly re-engage you. Tuesday night inside the JMA Wireless Dome, coach Red Autry and the Orange held on for a decisive victory over the No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels, 86-79. The fact that Syracuse lost by 36 points last month—the worst point difference for the team in the previous 20 years—made them more motivated going into the contest. In contrast to the sixth-best defence in the nation, SU reversed the trend, shooting 62.5 percent (30-48) from the field as a team and 47 percent (8-17) from three. For the most part of the second half, Coach Autry used the 2-3 zone.
Syracuse, who were tied at 42 points at the half, used a balanced attack with four players scoring at least eight points to keep conference leader R.J. Davis to just three points. SU played incredibly well in the first half and was determined to play a full 40 minutes on the floor, so they weren’t upset that the score wasn’t much higher. We discussed in the locker room that getting stops would be crucial. We believed that [UNC] was unable to effectively protect us and prevent us from pursuing our goals. They are undoubtedly a strong team and among the best in the nation. Our intention was merely to cause them discomfort in contrast to their usual routine.
