NEW YORK – Thursday afternoon’s analytical note is a box score breakdown from the Syracuse quarterfinal victory over UCONN. The Huskies won their first two in the tournament. From that, talk circulated regarding a run like last year’s that wound up with the Big East title. It was not to be as Syracuse prevailed.
A look at the key numbers from the game:
| Possessions | Off. Efficiency | |
| UCONN | 61 | 90 |
| Syracuse | 59 | 98 |
Good, solid defense in the victory for the Orange. Jim Boeheim’s club was pounded on the boards with an 18-8 deficit on the offensive end. They limited UCONN, though, to a 39% eFG mark, highlighted by 6 of 23 from long range.
Offensively, Syracuse committed only four turnovers, a superlative 7% TO rate. UCONN did a decent job, 16%, in that same area.
Depth was huge as Syracuse enjoyed a 30-12 edge in bench points, highlighted by Dion Waiters’ game high 18 points.
Notes
- In the second game, seven and 18 were key numbers. In a contest seeing seven ties and 18 lead changes, Cincinnati defeated Georgetown 72-70 in double OT.
- Sights and sounds, not just numbers, are a big part of the tournament. Outside the Garden, the Louisville band was assembling and yours truly finally found out what makes a mint julep. “Basically bourbon and mint,” said one member. Sounds good, but a cold beer is more enticing in my opinion.
- A Marquette fan was praising Buzz Williams as “interesting and amazing“, despite his post game actions after defeating West Virginia in Morgantown.
- Saw a couple female Syracuse fans with shirts from the 6 OT marathon game of ‘09. “Hey I covered that game,” I said. They just kept walking ahead, a little quicker. Probably thought I was crazy. Again, maybe I was exiting the Garden that night. Still, that March night into morning was unforgettable.
- Kind of like this annual get together.
