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Syracuse Basketball: Key takeaways from crushing loss to Oklahoma State

By Rudi Richards

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 20: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a made three-point basket as teammate Buddy Boeheim #35 gestures against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 20, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 20: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a made three-point basket as teammate Buddy Boeheim #35 gestures against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 20, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 23: General view of the seat reserved for head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange prior to the game against the Duke Blue Devils at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 23: General view of the seat reserved for head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange prior to the game against the Duke Blue Devils at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

1. Syracuse’s slow starts will set the tone

Starting off slow has been a consistent problem with the Orange way too much over the last couple of seasons. Sometimes it can be overturned as the game progresses, but on occasion – like last night – it can set the tone for the entire game.

The game started with Oklahoma State putting together 11 straight points. Jim Boeheim called a time out before even two minutes had passed, and even after that, the next points came from a Cowboy three-point shot. When you face opponents of a better or even similar stature you can’t afford to start a game like this. If you’re going to lose you’ve got to at least make it a competitive match-up, and this starts from tip-off. Not five minutes in. Not after the half. At the beginning of the game. Syracuse’s first field goal of the game came at the 13:33 mark. It took them almost six and a half minutes of basketball took to knock down a shot. That’s ridiculous no matter who you’re playing. The Orange did score seven free throws in that time, but it just seemed like lazy basketball at times. It was rushed again and no match for the Cowboys.

Astonishingly, the Orange were able to answer with 12 straight points of their own, through the free throws, a lay-up from Elijah Hughes and a Buddy Boeheim three. The Orange were able to go up by nine points at the midway point of the opening half, but after that, they started to look sluggish again. The Cowboys finished the half with a 27-6 run, and that was pretty much that for the Orange.

The second half was contested pretty well, but every time it looked like the Orange were pulling their way back into it, Oklahoma State just went on another quick run. And, in the end, the deficit created by the first half of play gave Syracuse no real chance of getting a comeback win. You can say it was an up and down game for the Orange, and both sides really, but after beginning the game so poorly, it seemed like ‘Cuse used up all their energy to get back into the lead after being down double digits after a few minutes of play – and it did really set the tone for the rest of the match-up.

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