Syracuse Orange vs UConn Huskies: Player Ratings for Battle 4 Atlantis Semifinal

Syracuse Orange vs Connecticut Huskies

Syracuse

C DaJuan Coleman: 5.5

After playing 21 minutes in the quarterfinal game, Coleman only played 13 minutes against Uconn. Despite playing only sparingly, the big man grabbed eight rebounds...eight rebounds in 13 minutes. That is an incredible rate. He also played good defense in the middle of the zone. He is not a classic rim protector. He lacks the length and athleticism to be a great threat to block shots, but he does a great job of taking up space in the middle, comes out to meet defenders rather than letting them come to him, and is a great area rebounder underneath the basket. Syracuse benefits when Coleman plays more minutes in the center of the zone. Coleman unfortunately got in to foul trouble this game, which effected his minutes. He picked up his fourth foul with more than 15 minutes still to play in the game. Coleman only scored two points, from free throws, and missed his only field goal attempt.

F Tyler Roberson: 7

Uconn gave Roberson a lot of space when he received the ball more than 15 feet from the basket. Given that space, Roberson committed to driving to the basket, which earned him many fouls this game. Roberson took 13 foul shots this game. Unfortunately, he only made six of them—less than 50%. He needs to do better than that from the free throw line, especially if he is going to earn that many chances. Roberson shot 4-6, taking most of his shots close to the basket, but making his lone jumper from mid range. He scored 14 points total. Roberson continues to be a beast on the offensive glass, grabbing five offensive rebounds this game, though only nine overall. Consistently driving to the basket opened things up for Roberson passing wise, and he finished the game with three assists. He also had two of Syracuse's three blocks this game. Roberson did turn the ball over three times, which makes sense considering how often he handled it, and picked up four fouls, which seems like the new norm under the new rules.

F Malachi Richardson: 6

Richardson took a couple bad shots early in the game, and had to sit early after picking up two fouls in the first five minutes. However, after that he settled in, and played productively. He finished the game 4-9 from the field, and 3-5 from 3pt range, scoring 13 points. Richardson has now scored no less than thirteen points in each of his first five games. Turnovers continue to be a problem for him; he had five more in this game. I still contend that he is a fine ball handler, but his decision making, and passing is lacking. Richardson rebounded well this game, grabbing six. That will be key for the team if they continue to play small.

G Trevor Cooney: 5.5

Cooney struggled with shot selection, yet again, this game. He shot 4-10, and 2-6 from three. He took too many shots early in possession instead of looking for a better one, and rarely drove to the basket, something he did to great effect against Charlotte in the quarterfinal. Cooney also turned the ball over four times. Cooney did score 17 points, thanks to free throw shooting down the stretch; he shot 7-8 from the line. He also played good defense at the top of the zone, as usual.

G Michael Gbinije: 9

Michael Gbinije once again led Syracuse this game, continuing his run of good form of late. He shot 7-12 for 17 points. Although, he fell in love with the three at times, despite making a couple of clutch ones (he was 2-6 from three). Gbinije excelled, though, driving to the basket. He had no trouble getting past Uconn's guards, and got into dangerous positions inside. There he finished the ball well, as well as found teammates. He finished the game with seven assists. Gbinije is developing into one of Syracuse's best top of the zone defenders. Using his length, and high energy style to wreak havoc on defenses. He stole the ball six times this game. Gbinije continues to do well controlling the ball; he turned the ball over just once this game.

F Tyler Lydon: 9

Lydon played outstanding against a Uconn team I thought would give him more of a test. Lydon did suffer from Cooney and Richardson disease, that is: Shot Selection, in the first half. However, he once again showed the qualities that make him Syracuse's most intriguing player. He moves well without the ball, is capable of driving to the basket with the ball, post up and use his length against smaller opponents, and he shoots exceptionally well from deep. He was 2-3 from 3pt range this game, and scored 16 total points. Lydon also played great defense this game, both underneath the basket, and alongside Coleman on the wing. I am still concerned more powerful and skilled frontcourts are going to cause him fits, but Lydon did a great job yesterday, and kept himself out of foul trouble all game. He is also proving to be a great rebounder, using his long arms to receive the ball up high. He had 12 rebounds this game.

G Kaleb Joseph: N/A

Joseph came into the game in the first half, and quickly picked up two fouls. Then he went back to the bench. He did not play enough minutes to qualify for a grade.

G: Franklin Howard: N/A

Howard did not play enough to qualify for a grade.

Team Rating: 7.28

Don't look now, but there is a good chance Syracuse will be a ranked team come Monday. Syracuse has played great thus far this tournament, and led Connecticut throughout the second half, holding on to the win in the end. Syracuse continues to play good defense when the zone gets a chance to set, and Lydon and Coleman have been better than I expected underneath the basket. Syracuse's shooters need to do a better job with shot selection throughout the game, and all are more effective when they drive to the basket, opening up their three point chances. Turnovers continue to be a problem for the Cuse; they had 15 this game, and they also shoot terribly from the FT line (61.5%, while taking 39 shots). Syracuse also continues to show they can be broken defensively when you attack early. That means they will struggle against teams like Miami. However, this tournament has been a big step forward from the team as they continue to showcase their offensive potency.

Uconn

C Amida Brimah: 6

Brimah looked fantastic in the first half. He did a great job on the defensive end, disrupting shots, and making a few spectacular blocks (he finished the game with three). He also did a surprisingly good job on finishing shots, shooting 4-5, and scoring 10 total points. Late in the first half, and in the second Syracuse did a better job of getting to the basket causing Brimah to foul. Brimah picked up his fourth foul with 8:18 left in the game, and played only 19 minutes.

F Shonn Miller: 3

Miller looked much better in the quarterfinal game than he did against Syracuse. He had trouble attacking Syracuse's front line, only shooting 2-6. He also only grabbed four rebounds. Miller, like Brimah, picked up four fouls, although he picked up his fourth in the final minute of the game. He only played 20 minutes.

F Daniel Hamilton: 7.5

Hamilton was the star for Uconn this game. He shot 7-15, 2-7 from 3pt range, scoring 18 points. Hamilton showed he can score in a variety of ways, driving to the basket, picking up offensive rebounds, and hitting an occasionally three. Although, he took too many threes this game against Syracuse's zone. Hamilton often drove to the basket, which opened up players around him. He ended the game with seven assists. Hamilton also had twelve rebounds, and three on the offensive end. Hamilton shows potential of being an unstoppable college player, but he took more jump shots than he should as the Huskies' other shooters struggled. Hamilton struggled on defense at times this game as he was often forced to play either Roberson or Lydon down low; Connecticut had to play small often, especially down the stretch.

G Sterling Gibbs: 4.5

Gibbs hit two 3pt shots in the first three minutes of the game, then he failed to make a 3pt attempt the rest of the game. He finished 2-7 beyond the arc, and 3-10 overall, scoring 12 points. Gibbs did do a nice job distributing the ball, dishing six assists. Gibbs also stole the ball three times, though he also picked up four fouls.

G Rodney Purvis: 4.5

Purvis was very quiet for much of the game, but helped Uconn stay in it late. He made all three of his 3pt point shots in a two minute span down the stretch. He finished the game 4-12 from the field, scoring 12 points. Purvis struggled defensively against Syracuse's guards, and was Uconn player to finish the game with four fouls.

F Kentan Facey: 5

Facey, much like Uconn's other big men, was a thorn in Syracuse's side in the first half. He came off the bench, grabbed a couple offensive rebounds, and scored around the basket. However, he failed to make a mark in the second half, and only finished with eight points, and five rebounds.

G Jalen Adams: 1

Adams played 16 very quiet minutes. He scored only two points, on free throws, while missing both of his two field goal attempts. Adams has now scored only two points in three of Uconn's five games, and has scored in double digits just once. Adams picked up four fouls during his 16 minutes on the court, or one every four minutes. Adams was a top-25 recruit coming into the season as a potentially dynamic combo guard, but he has yet to live up to that billing.

G Omar Calhoun: 7

Calhoun came off the bench, and made some big shots to keep Uconn in the game late. He shot 3-4, all 3pt shots, scoring nine points.

F Phillip Nolan: N/A

Nolan did not play enough to qualify for a grade.

G Sam Cassell Jr: N/A

Cassell did not play enough to qualify for a grade.

Team Rating: 5.00

Uconn had a lot of success against Syracuse early. They led by ten at one point. The defense forced the Orange—or, the Orange chose to, shoot poor shots, and Brimah did well to stop them inside. However, Syracuse soon committed to driving to the basket, and did so effectively. This forced Uconn to foul—the Huskies had six players finish with four fouls. This opened up Syracuse's shooters. Uconn stayed in the game late thanks to Hamilton, and some timely three point shots by Purvis and Calhoun. But, Syracuse proved to be too potent this game. Uconn needs their guards to be more efficient shooters, and their frontcourt disappeared after the first ten or twelve minutes of the game.