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 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.
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