11/20 - #4 Carolina vs. #24 Syracuse at MSG

• ironman02

  7pm - 2K Sports Classic Championship Game.
  
  Carolina had to hang on to beat OSU after blowing a 19 point lead over the final few minutes of the game, while Syracuse dominated Cal.
  
  I think this should be a pretty good game. I feel like Carolina is the more talanted team overall, but 'Cuse seems to have a few guys that may be able to somewhat neutralize the Carolina front court. Obviously the Tar Heels will have to play much better down the stretch, and get solid guard play, if they hope to win this game.
  
  Not sure if I'll be able to watch this game live tomorrow night...might have to DVR it.
  
  Any thoughts or predictions?
• Leonardo

  

  This is an interesting matchup, as both teams lost a load of talent but had big wins earlier tonight.
  
  I'll take Carolina though, 75-71
• hoops23

  

  UNC puts together a full 40 minutes this time around.
  
  I'm thinking 80-71
  
  The Zone defense really worries me with this UNC team though. If Syracuse is clicking they could win this one.
• ironman02

  LTrain,
  
  The zone worries me too. Carolina was 7/15 from behind the arc tonight, but I doubt if we see a repeat performance of that. This team is probably going to struggle to score the ball from the perimeter, and that could really hurt them tomorrow night against the 'Cuse.
  
  Maybe Graves, Drew II, and Ginyard will continue to make some outside looks though. I sure hope they do.
• hoops23

  

  I just think this is one of those games where people think UNC will lose, but they come out full throttle.
  
  Hope I'm right!
  
  Also, this is a HUGE game just for the simple fact that our schedule gets VERY tough in the next 4 or 5 games...
• ironman02

  Yeah, definitely a rough stretch ahead...
  
  Dec. 1 - #2 Michigan State
  Dec. 5 - at #5 Kentucky
  Dec. 19 - #3 Texas (In Dallas)
  
  It would be nice to go into those games without any losses, but we'll see what happens tomorrow night (and against some of the lesser OOC opponents). One thing is for sure, after playing OSU and Syracuse, along with those other three OOC games, Carolina will certainly be battle-tested as they head into ACC play.
• hoops23

  

  Exactly^
  
  Roy always schedules these tough OOC opponents and inserts UNC into regular season tournaments because he realizes it does nothing but HELP the team come March.
• k_boogy

  As a couple of you have said the zone that Cuse plays really worries me as well. Ya UNC shot the ball very well last night from behind the arc. But Syracuse also challenges and gets to the shooters better that OSU does. Cuse zone is stretched more, which should open up the high post, short corner, and some dribble penetration hopefully.
  
  I see a close game here and UNC having to show up for 40 minutes. Really liked the way Drew played last night and I think he is really starting to understand the offense and how to play in it. As I said in another thread, any other UNC fans nervous when Strickland is running the point?? I thought we would see more Ginyard running the point like he did a little in last nights game.
• killer_ewok

  

  I was very impressed with my Orange last night. It's been a long time since I've seen Syracuse play defense like that. Wesley Johnson can take it inside or outside. Syracuse pounds it inside more than usual too. They're taking it to the basket and drawing fouls. Now if they could only hit their free throws. Jardine lost some weight and it's made a difference in his game. Onuaku and Jackson down low should present problems for teams in the paint. Triche was impressive as well.
  
  After losing Flynn, Devendorf and Harris and then losing to LeMoyne in exhibition....I thought the Orange were headed for a down year. After last night, I'm optimistic about the season. They lost some talent but also some "me first attitudes and egos" in the process.
  
  I still think UNC wins, but it will be a close one IMO.
  
  Go 'Cuse!!!!!
• RiverRat13

  The zone will give Carolina fits. UNC needs to force stops/turnovers to create transition opportunities.
  
  Need to get Deon going tonight, too.
• killer_ewok

  

  It should be mentioned that it's a very active zone. Not at all passive last night. A defensive effort like last night could get the win for the Orange.
• jpake1

  

  Not too man teams player a better zone than the Cuse. Big Heel fan, but I just don't think the guards are there quite yet. Cuse 83 UNC 75
• darbypitcher22

  

  The 'Cuse. They were impressive last night.
• RiverRat13

  One advantage Carolina does have is that Roy played 11 guys last night and they are playing back-to-back days. Of course, that didn't bother Syracuse last year in the Big East tournament.
• wildcats20

  

  Close first half. Carolina up by a bucket. Ed Davis has shot more FT's than the entire Cuse team. That's a good sign for the Heels.
• killer_ewok

  

  'Cuse up 47-40 4 minutes into the 2nd half. The Orange have taken it up a notch on the defensive end.
• wildcats20

  

  At first look I thought that was a foul. But after that replay from above, looks like a good no call.
  
  Ginyard needs to get back ASAP.
• killer_ewok

  

  Syracuse now up 62-42.
  
  Win or lose this game.....I'll go on record right now and say that this Syracuse team is a better "team" than they were last season. I couldn't be more impressed. Defensively, this is the best I've ever seen Syracuse play and I've been a fan and watching them for the last 20+ years. Wesley Johnson has to be one of the best players in the Big East this season and maybe in the country. Triche and Jardine doing a great job in the backcourt. Taking it hard to the basket and finishing/distributing. Onuaku and Jackson are a formidable combo down low. They're not flashy but they don't have the egos and attitudes like the last couple years either.
• killer_ewok

  

  UNC on a run now. 67-55 Orange with 7:57 to go.
• killer_ewok

  

  67-57 'Cuse. Onuaku headed to the free throw line after the TO. This should be good...
• wildcats20

  

  Welp this one is over.
  
  Cuse just totally outplayed the Heels tonight. Big time win for the Orange. Very disappointed in the way Carolina came out in the 2nd half. But great effort from the Orange to limit what the Heels could do.
• killer_ewok

  

  Orange up 81-62 with 3:17 to go. Wow. I never imagined that this year's team would be this good. There's virtually the entire season left but I don't have ANY reservations saying that the '09-'10 Orange are better than the '08-'09 'Cuse. Defensively, it's not even close. The lack of egos is so refreshing. Assuming Syracuse holds on.....this win will go a long way on Selection Sunday.
• killer_ewok

  

  Carolina will be fine. They'll get better as the season goes on and they'll be a tough out in the NCAA's. Defending champs usually die hard.
• wildcats20

  

  Wow, Rautins.
  
  11, 7, 7, & 7. Line of the night.
• killer_ewok

  

  Syracuse 87
  North Carolina 71
  Final
  
  What a win for Syracuse. If that's the 6th best team in the Big East.....the Big East will be great again this season. Outstanding performance by the Orange. The exhibition loss to LeMoyne is a distant memory. I think Dick Vitale said this win takes the Big East to 40-0 so far this season.
  
  GO 'CUSE!!!