Syracuse vs. Buffalo: Key storylines for the non-conference game

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange speaks to his team during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: CJ Massinburg #5 of the Buffalo Bulls reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Buffalo’s three-point shooting vs. The 2-3 zone

How good Syracuse is as a team ultimately depends on how effective that legendary 2-3 zone is against opponents, particularly on the perimeter. Teams who can shoot well on the zone has a great chance of beating them. When UConn defeated the Orange, they made 12/21 shots from three-point range.

Syracuse allows an average of 27 three-pointers attempted against them, which is well above average. But the defense of 31% ranks in the top-100 in the country. That matches up similarly to Buffalo, who attempts 27 three-pointers in their own right. They make over nine a game, at a 34% clip.

There are three Bulls that the Orange needs to worry about on the perimeter. CJ Massinburg leads the team with 17.6 ppg, while shooting 43% from deep on 6.2 attempts per game. He had a career-high 43 points in the overtime win over West Virginia, with nine made three-pointers leading the way.

Sophomore guard Jayvon Graves is the next best shooter on the team at 37%, while Jeremy Harris actually leads the team in attempts at 6.5 a game. He’s only shooting it at a 28% clip but the 6’7 wing is suited to handle the zone and force the Orange to account for him. 6’10 big man Montell McCrae has shown an ability to spread the floor, making 12/23 so far this season. That could affect how 7’2 big man Paschal Chukwu defends as the anchor of the zone.

Expect the Bulls to shoot a high number of three-pointers, with some even going from the NBA range. Massinburg has the potential to go off on his own but there are other Buffalo players that can/will produce as well. The key number of made three-pointers in this game is 10 for Buffalo. If they can reach double figures, odds are good they can win the game.