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Syracuse Basketball: Preview for matchup against NC State Wolfpack

By Brandon Nutting

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: Buddy Boeheim #35 of the Syracuse Orange slaps hands during the first half against the Colgate Raiders at the Carrier Dome on November 20, 2021 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: Buddy Boeheim #35 of the Syracuse Orange slaps hands during the first half against the Colgate Raiders at the Carrier Dome on November 20, 2021 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Syracuse Basketball has a big matchup against NC State. What are the keys to victory for the Orange?

Syracuse Basketball (10-11) will travel to North Carolina to take on the NC State Wolfpack (10-12) at 9 pm eastern time on ESPN2. Syracuse, coming off a 94-72 victory in the Dome against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons last Saturday, will look to get back on the winning track as they face a tough ACC schedule for the rest of the season. Here is the game breakdown for the Orange in this upcoming match-up against NC State.

Players to Watch

Buddy Boeheim will be one of the main players to watch in this game. After coming off a 30-point, 7-assist performance against Wake Forest, he will look to keep up his impressive performance in both his scoring ability and unselfish play on the offensive side of the ball.

Cole Swider and Joseph Girard III will both play a factor for the Orange from behind the three-point arc, as both players will need to be locked in from deep and force the mistake by NC State to open the painted area for Jesse Edwards and Jimmy Boeheim to attack the rim and create the big plays down the stretch. The Orange overall will need to rely on these players to create opportunities, play tough defensive on the other end of the court, and finish strong in late-game situations.

Keys to the Game

Believe in the zone. The Orange 2-3 zone defense will have to keep NC State’s big men, Jericole Hellems and Ebenezer Dowuona, from attacking the painted area and getting any easy buckets down low.

Keep shooters from getting hot. Syracuse will need to keep an eye out for Terquavion Smith, who has been leading the Wolfpack in scoring this season. They need to keep him from getting hot from long range and make sure to force him to make the mistake.

Close out games in the 2nd half. The Orange have allowed teams to make comebacks in the 2nd half of games through most of the season. Syracuse needs to keep the lead and finish out ball games with better defensive possessions and scoring drives in closing moments.

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Syracuse will need to bring its performance over from the Wake Forest game over to NC State. It will be a close one, however, I have the Orange winning in a close one against NC State, 74-70.

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