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NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga stumbles, Indiana’s MVP and other takeaways

By Brian Rauf

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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<> at Carrier Dome on December 8, 2018 in Syracuse, New York.
<> at Carrier Dome on December 8, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. /

1) Syracuse‘s record might not be much better than it was last year

The past three years have followed a very similar pattern for Syracuse.

Start with a talented roster, underachieve during the regular season, be on the bubble in March, then make long NCAA Tournament run if they get in.

But this season was supposed to be different for the Orange. Pretty much everyone returned from last year’s Sweet 16 team, so they should be one of the ACC’s best teams, right?

Well, it hasn’t turned out that way so far. Syracuse dropped to 7-3 on the season following a home loss to Old Dominion on Saturday in which this group’s limited offensive abilities reared its ugly head again. They’ve eclipsed the 80-point mark one time this season, and that came against Morehead State.

It’s really puzzling. Tyus Battle, Frank Howard, and Oshae Brissett are all good players but they don’t shoot the ball well. Syracuse ranks 270th in the country in effective field goal percentage so, no matter how good their defense is, their upside is going to be limited.

This team is still good enough to make the NCAA Tournament and, once they get there, that zone is good enough for them to go on another run through a region. However, it’s becoming clear that their regular season record won’t be all that impressive because their offense hasn’t improved and will cost them games.

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