Heel Tough Blog: Syracuse Preview

@UNCMBBStats

After dispatching Georgia Tech 91-75 on Saturday, the Tar Heels are back in action later tonight, as they host Syracuse, in the first of two home games this week at the Smith Center. After going 0-2 out west back in the middle of January, Carolina has won three straight games, to get to 17-4 on the season, and 5-3 in the ACC, with the schedule set to heat up over the back half of the season, the team is in position to compete for a top-4 seed in the ACC Tournament, and NCAA Tournament seeding. 

Syracuse has not had the season that they would’ve hoped for, entering tonight’s contest at just 13-9 on the season, and 4-5 in the ACC. They are coming off a relatively easy win over Notre Dame on Saturday to get back on track. Even though it’s already February, the Orange have only played four true road games, going 2-2, with wins at Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh, and losses to NC State and Stanford. They have three players that currently average double figures in scoring, led by Donnie Freeman and his 18.2 points per game, although he has playedin just 13 games so far this season. His fellow double-digit scorers are JJ Starling (12.0) and Nate Kings (11.0). The Orange excel at defending the room, as they lead the ACC in blocks per game (6.0), and they feature a top-5 scoring defense in the league, allowing just 70.0 points per game. 

The second game at home this week is the one that fans have their eyes on the most, with the rivalry with Duke set to renew itself on Saturday evening in the Dean Dome. But Carolina has to navigate the Syracuse game first, as UNC has lost the midweek game, before the first Duke game in three straight years. Tonight will speak a lot about the maturity of this team, do they handle business against an opponent they should beat? Or do they get caught looking ahead so Saturday, and suffer a bad home loss? Only time will tell. 

The Tar Heels will look to improve to 13-0 at home, as they have been dominant in the Dean Dome so far. Even with the inclement weather, it’s fair to expect a large and lively crowd tonight in the arena, which has helped fuel the home-court success. The last time Carolina was at home, the student section made a statement about not wanting to see the legendary building be rebuilt, maybe tonight offers another core memory for the program in the building that bears the name of the man who started it all many years ago. Here’s how Carolina can stay unbeaten at home: 

1. Contain the Dribble Drive: Led by JJ Starling, Syracuse attacks you offensive off the dribble, looking to break down the defense, and score from inside the three-point line. When Syracuse upset UNC two years ago, they won the game by making a number of contested two-point shots, and that will be the same strategy they’ll deploy in this game. Derek Dixon isn’t a great defender, but his communication has helped improve Carolina’s defense after a disastrous start to conference play, after dominating the majority of their non-conference competition in that area. What’s important to remember about this game is that if Syracuse breaks down UNC’s defense, they’ll still look to score from inside the arc, as opposed to from beyond it. 

2. Play Strong: When you face a team like the Orange, you have to accept the fact that they are going to challenge, contest, and sometimes block your shot; you don’t lead the ACC in blocks by not doing so. But that doesn’t mean you should play scared or discouraged when attacking the basket. This is important mainly for Dixon and Seth Trimble, for when they get deep into the lane, to go up strong, looking to either score or draw a foul, and not be worried necessarily about their shot being blocked. 

3. Dominate the Glass: Unlike Georgia Tech, Syracuse isn’t as competitive on the glass, and that’s always been the case, dating back to their days under Jim Boehiem. That has allowed Carolina to enjoy so much success against the former Big East power, because nobody values rebounding more than North Carolina. Rebounding allows you to dictate the pace, and since Derek Dixon has taken over as the starting point guard, UNC has played faster than it did with Kyan Evans. Syracuse doesn’t have the depth or the athleticism to hold up with UNC in an open-floor game, so Carolina should try to make it one. They also struggle to keep the opponent off the offensive glass, so that’s another area that UNC should look to exploit to control the game. 

Series History: 

• Carolina is 18-7 all-time against Syracuse, including being a perfect 7-0 against the Orange in Chapel Hill. 

KenPom: 

• North Carolina - 29th overall. Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 123.6 (18th) Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 102.1 (53rd) 

• Syracuse - 70th overall. Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 115.1 (83rd) Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 103.2 (69th) 

NET:

• North Carolina - 25th. 

• Syracuse - 72nd. 

TV Info: 

• Tonight’s game will start at 7 PM on ESPN. 

The Four Corners Podcast: