Syracuse vs Elon: Player Ratings

The following are player ratings for Syracuse following their victory over Elon Saturday night. 

This year I am recapping games in a similar fashion that soccer matches are recapped. Following a game, each player receives a rating 1-10 based upon their performance. Over the course of time you can see how they are playing in stretches, and how the team overall is performing based upon the form of their players. I think this is an effective way to evaluate basketball games. Especially when, at the end of the season, it is not always the most talented team that wins, or the team that had the most victories during the season, but the team that is experiencing the greatest of run of form. 

Syracuse 66 vs Elon 55

Syracuse Orange[men]

C DaJuan Coleman: 4

This felt like a now-or-never game for DaJuan Coleman. Elon is undersized and ripe for Coleman to power his way through. However, Coleman only played ten minutes. He took one shot, scoring two points off of it. He also had a rebound, and two blocks, while turning the ball over twice. It's a shame Syracuse could not have closed out Elon earlier, so Coleman could have played more minutes.

F Tyler Roberson: 10

Roberson struggled in Syracuse's first two games. However, he exploded against Elon. Roberson was a dominate force throughout the game, finally giving Syracuse a presence down low. He scored a game high 20 points, shooting 9-15 from the field. Roberson mixed in some jumpers along with his work in the post. On one particular play, he ran the pick and pop, shooting near the three point line. Roberson would be nearly unstoppable if he could hit that shot consistently. Roberson grabbed a third of the team's total rebounds. He had 16 total rebounds, seven of which came off the offensive glass. Roberson banged in the post al game, and only picked up two fouls. That's impressive.

F Malachi Richardson: 5.5

Malachi Richardson had the worst shooting performance of his short career against Elon. He shot only 1-7 from the field, all of one of his shots came from 3pt range (1-6). Richardson struggled with shot selection, like most of Syracuse's team does, early in the game. He took 3pt shots early in the shot clock, and without much ball movement, or passing to set up the shot. Later in the game Richardson committed to driving into the paint. This proved more effective as Richardson consistently drew fouls on his way to the basket. Richardson took twelve free throw shots, making ten of them. Richardson continued to show good passing ability this game, and has improved his ball control. He had three assists, and two turnovers this game.

G Trevor Cooney: 4.5

Cooney has had a terrible start tot he season. He has shot only 32% from the field, and 29.4% from 3pt range so far this season. Against Elon Cooney shot 3-10, scoring eight points. He only took three 3pt shots this game (making one), and instead varied his shot selection, which at least seems an improvement. The nice thing about Cooney is that he always finds a way to contribute. He finished the game with six rebounds, and four assists. He also played good defense once again, and stole a couple balls.

G Michael Gbinije: 6

Gbinije had his most efficient game offensively this season, although he took a couple ill advised shots at the beginning of the game. He took only nine shots, making four of them. But, he made all three of his 3pt attempts, and additionally went five for five from the line. Gbinije was good on defense, once again using his length. He grabbed six defensive rebounds, and had four steals. Gbinije has split ball handling duties with Cooney and Richardson. He finished this game with only two assists, and three turnovers.

F Tyler Lydon: 5

Tyler Lydon played 35 minutes, and played almost the entire second half when the game was on the line. He scored five points, going 2-5 from the field, and making one of his two 3pt attempts. Lydon played the center position this entire game, where he proved effective, at least against Elon's smaller team. He grabbed seven rebounds, and managed to block four shots, while defending under the basket. Lydon now looks to be Syracuse's go to big man. He has the ability to stretch defenses, which could open things inside for Roberson to have continued success.

G Franklin Howard: N/A

Howard did not play enough minutes to qualify.

G Kaleb Joseph: N/A

Joseph did not play enough minutes to qualify. Joseph's playing time has dropped considerably since the first game against Lehigh when he played fairly well.

C Chinoso Obokoh: N/A

Obokoh did not play enough minutes to qualify. Obokoh came in early for Coleman, and at one point he was on the floor with both Lydon and Roberson, but he did not stay in the game long.

Team Rating: 5.50

Syracuse's rating is inflated due to Roberson's 10. Truth be told, this was another mediocre performance by the team. Syracuse started strong, but gave up a lead, and had to battle with Elon in the second half to secure the win. Just once it would be nice to see Syracuse starch an overmatched opponent. It is nice to see Syracuse's shooters vary their attack, and not just rely on 3pt shooting. Hopefully they can begin to put it all together next week in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Roberson's emergence in this game was also a positive sign. Syracuse needs him to be a reliable inside presence to help balance the team. All signs point to Tyler Lydon receiving the lion's share of minutes at the center position moving forward. However, I wonder how he will fare defensively against more physical teams. Next week's tournament in the Bahamas will be important as Syracuse faces their first quality opponent's of the season. Hopefully the team rises to the occasion.