Syracuse Basketball: 3 keys for the Orange against Georgetown

1.  Own the 3-point line

The Orange haven’t been the greatest 3-point shooting team this season. They’re shooting 29.1 percent from behind the arc as a team in 2018-19, a huge step back from where they were a season. ago.

In 2017-18, Syracuse shot 31.8 percent from 3-point range with Battle, Brissett and Howard all shooting over 30 percent. Through the first eight games this season, Battle is shooting 34.6 percent but Brissett is shooting just 27.8 percent and Howard is shooting 19 percent, as mentioned earlier.

Despite those numbers, the Orange have an opportunity to improve that percentage on Saturday against Georgetown. The Hoyas are allowing opponents to shoot 35.5 percent from the 3-point arc.

The Liberty Flames shoot 11-of-18 (61.1 percent) from behind the arc as a team against Georgetown despite falling 88-78 in the end back on Dec. 3. Allowing that many 3-pointers against a more talented Syracuse Orange squad could do them in.

The Hoyas have lost one game entering this contest, but the Orange are clearly the toughest team they will face on Saturday. Georgetown’s youth and inexperience should come into play although James Akinjo and Mac McClung are two very explosive and talented guards. There’s also Jessie Govan on the interior as well.

With homecourt advantage though, the Orange will look to repeat last year’s results which saw them defeat the Hoyas in overtime, 86-79. Get ready for a good one!