Syracuse tried to ride the momentum from their 17 point comeback win over Notre Dame Saturday, but this deficit vs. Clemson was insurmountable.
J.J. Starling tried his best to keep Syracuse in this game. He really did. He exceeded his season average of points in the first half alone with 17. But the rest of the team? Only 12 points, in a half that Clemson led 48 to 29. He ended the game with 25 points on 10 of 16 shooting. Eddie Lampkin was the only other Orange in double figures, netting 14 points.
But once the Tigers started to lock down JJ, he still shot the ball. No one else came to help when he got doubled. But it’s not like ‘Cuse played a bad offensive game. The Orange shot 54% from the field on 52 shots, compared to Clemson’s 56% on 55 shots. Syracuse even made 11 of their 21 three pointers. But the defense couldn’t get the stops they needed, and Starling got no help until it was too late.
The difference in this one occurred at the charity stripe. Syracuse continued to foul the Tigers, letting them get to the line 21 times, converting 15 of them. ‘Cuse only made it to the free throw line six times, making five. Without Donnie Freeman, it’s obviously harder to get the ball inside, and get to the free throw line. Eddie Lampkin Jr. continues to get near double doubles without him on the floor, but it didn’t translate to a win here.
Man defense didn’t work. The zone didn’t work. The defense let up open shots. And the defense fouled too many times to get out of South Carolina with the win. The Orange need to play more aggressively on defense, without fouling.
Clemson may be one of the slowest paced teams in the country netting only 64.4 possessions a game (tied for 327th in Division I), but it doesn’t stop them from scoring. They are a clinic from long range. In fact they are a top 15 three point percentage team in the country (38.9%). Chase Hunter shoots around 45% from the three alone (and man he is FUN to watch).
They spread the love in a way Syracuse can only dream of. Four Tigers finished in double figures. The Tigers shot 56% from the field, with 17 assists to show for it. Ian Schiefflin and Chase Hunter are quite the tandem (combined for 34), and will be a fun team to watch in March again. Another Elite 8 run? Not completely out of the picture either.
Coach Autry had no answers for Clemson’s high scoring attack. Man defense or zone. He’ll need to find some answers when they host a bubbly Pittsburgh rival in the Dome this weekend.
Next game for Syracuse basketball (9-10): vs. Pittsburgh (12-6) – Jan. 25 at 12:30 p.m. EST
Next game for Clemson (16-4): at Virginia Tech (8-11) – Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. EST
