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NCAA Basketball: 2019 NIT Season Tip-Off preview and predictions

By Donovan Darlington

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 06: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball as Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends 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)
SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 06: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball as Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends 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) /

Syracuse

Record: 4-1

After a sad outing against the reigning NCAA National Champions, the Virginia Cavaliers, in the first game of the season, Syracuse has gotten some things together. That night, Syracuse was held to only 34 points, and many analysts labeled their offense as nothing more than an atrocity.

Well, on a positive note for the Orange, it seems that Virginia’s defense is just extremely good per usual. Now, the competition Syracuse has faced ever since has obviously not been of the same caliber as Virginia; however, we seem to have an idea of where their scoring comes from.

Junior forward, Elijah Hughes, has led the Orange in scoring so far, averaging 17.2 ppg, while also contributing 4.6 rpg. Outside of Lamar Stevens for Penn State, Hughes is one of the top frontcourt threats in this tournament. He has the experience necessary to win big games, and he will have to be the go-to guy for Syracuse this week.

In addition to Hughes, guards, Buddy Boeheim and Joseph Girard III, are also big weapons on offense. The two average 14.4 and 10.6 ppg, respectively. They will have to step up even more because the competition they will see in Brooklyn is higher than the competition they have played great against the last few games.

When I look at Syracuse and compare them to the rest of the field, I see a team that is going to have to play great defense if they want to win. I just don’t think Syracuse is as strong on offense as the other teams they will face. The good thing is, we know that defense has been huge in allowing Syracuse to earn key victories in the NCAA Tournament in the past.

I think sound defense will allow them to be competitive in the NIT Season Tip-Off. They can use it to remain tough in situations in which their offense is not capable of pulling away. A strong defensive showing in the tournament and making a statement that their offense can be competitive will be huge in allowing them to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume this season.

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