Syracuse Basketball: 2019-20 keys for success at home against Colgate

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Jay Huff #30 of the Virginia Cavaliers alters the shot of Marek Dolezaj #21 of the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome on November 6, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Virginia defeated Syracuse 48-34. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 06: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange looks to pass the ball between Mamadi Diakite #25 and Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on November 6, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Virginia defeated Syracuse 48-34. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

2. Get better screens for their perimeter shooters

This goes pretty much hand-in-hand with the first key to the game. Getting separation is important for Syracuse to create better looks, but, this has got to be a team effort. When coming up the court to start a possession, the bigs and even the wings need to be available to screen before cutting on more occasions.

To get the likes of Buddy Boeheim and Hughes to be knocking down shots at a better tempo, screens are going to be a huge factor. Whether it’s Bourama Sidibe or wing players like Quincy Guerrier and Marek Dolezaj, Syracuse has got to use their strength more efficiently out of the paint, not just inside of it.

This Orange team is pretty small, on the whole, and a lot of the line-ups that Boeheim likes to go with are smaller than most – it’s been a similar occurrence the last few years. While there’s going to be plenty of need for the frontcourt players to get inside, ‘Cuse has got to utilize their length and strength that they do have to better effect, when it’s one the floor. Get wing play more mobile, coming back to help the perimeter players – as shooting the three is something that’s going to be a huge thing for this side, it’s going to be important to get separation on the edge of the arc.

This is obviously something that has to be managed accordingly – as Syracuse showed in their opener their weaknesses not only trying to create shots but on the offensive boards too. While the team did collect eight rebounds, there were plenty of times where the Orange were boxed out, and plenty of shots thrown up where there was nobody crashing.

The Orange needs a clear balance between potential screen-setters on the perimeter and guys getting near the bucket for an offensive rebound opportunity. This is going to merit Orange wings needing to help with the screen game, not just the bigs.

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