Syracuse: 6.48
C
DaJuan Coleman Sr: 6
It
seemed, after a couple games of [me] asking for it, as
though Coleman finally got some additional playing time this game.
However, he played 15 minutes, which is right around his average for
the season. Coleman was more active when on the court though. He took
seven shots, making just two of them, scoring seven points. Coleman
sunk his first jump shot, and then missed the rest he took. The
senior is a great rebounder. He pulled in eight in his 15 minutes
(more than one every other minute). Coleman is definitely the worst
interior defender of the three players (Coleman, Chukwu, and Lydon),
and that will always cost him playing time, but he is not atrocious
there, especially when they're playing smaller teams. He's just not
an eraser. One unheralded quality of Coleman's is his free throw
shooting, and that's a rare quality on a Syracuse team.
F
Tyler Roberson Sr: 5.5
Roberson
had his most quiet night of the season. He made the first shot of the
game, and it was a nice mid range jumper from the corner to boot.
But, he took just four shots total for six points. Roberson also had
four rebounds, and two of Syracuse's 10 blocks. Roberson played just
25 minutes, with Thompson getting some additional time. Roberson will
have games like this, because he is not a player who demands the ball
in his hands.
F
Tyler Lydon So: 6.5
Lydon
struggled this game, like he did a week ago against Colgate. Lydon's
game should have been opened up due to White's dominance in the first
half. However, he missed his open looks. He seemed off tonight. Lydon
finished 2-9 from the field, missing both of his 3pt attempts, and
scoring six points. Lydon is a very good defender in the zone; that
was the case again tonight. Lydon led the team with four blocks, and
saw twelve minutes underneath the basket in the middle of the zone,
as Syracuse opted to go small. The sophomore also excels at playing
in the middle of the zone, while avoiding foul trouble. He
accumulated just two against Monmouth. Lydon also had seven rebounds,
three assists, and two steals.
G/F
Andrew White III Sr: 8
Andrew
White shot lights out in the first half. He looked exceptional. That
step back jumper he consistently used is un-guardable. White did slow
down significantly in the second half, but perhaps that's because the
game was already in hand, and he didn't "need" to score.
White finished 6-15 from the field, making 3-9 from beyond the arc,
for a team high, 18 points. White also had six rebounds, four
assists, and two steals. Statistically, it's hard not to give White a
"9." However, he missed a lot of shots. The grad senior
also is not as good defensively on the wing as he is at the top, and
consistently fails to block out rebounders. When White is on, he is
straight fire on offense, but he was terribly cold in the second
half, and could improve in other areas.
G
Frank Howard So: 7
Howard
is the preferred point guard on this team. Fans may love the speed of
Gillon, but although Howard's pace may be slower—he's controlled.
Howard quietly scored eight points on 3-6 shooting. However, he
continues to prove he is great at commanding the offense. He tallied
six assists to two turnovers this game, and also grabbed three
rebounds, a block, and a steal. Howard is also a great defender at
the top of the zone, and moves really well out on the perimeter.
G
John Gillon Sr: 3.5
Gillon
continues to split time with Howard at the point, and he played
alongside the sophomore for a few minutes as well. John Gillon can
provide a spark off the bench. He charges up and down the floor.
However, this can be a bad thing just as often as a good thing, and
this game, far more often it was a hinderance. Gillon can dribble
himself into trouble on offense, forcing bad shots, or turnovers. He
is also more of a shooter than a pass-first point guard. Gillon shot
2-7 this game, scoring just five points. He made just one of his five
3pt attempts. The senior also dished just one assists, while turning
the ball over twice. Gillon will be an asset to the team when they
are finally playing from behind. His energy, and fearlessness could
be the difference in games. However, he needs to slow down sometimes
too.
G
Tyus Battle Fr: 7
Battle
had difficulty getting involved in the first half, and
really throughout the game. He
barely touched the ball on offense, and it seemed like they were
aways running plays away from him. Still, he did not get frustrated,
or try to force something. He ended up taking just four shots, all of
them threes, and made three, scoring nine points. That's not bad
coming off the bench. Battle is another great defender, and he and
Howard at the top of the zone is an especially solid unit. He also
had three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
F
Taurean Thompson Fr: 8.5
Thompson
was the most impressive player on offense for Syracuse. He showed off
his range hitter multiple deep two's; his only miss was a shot inside
in traffic. The freshman finished 5-6 for 12 points. He also had two
rebounds, and two steals before limping off the court in the second
half, and to the locker room. Thompson still has a lot to learn on
the defensive side. However, his potential on the offensive end is
evident. Hopefully, his injury is not serious, and will not force him
to miss significant time.
C
Paschal Chukwu So: 5.5
Chukwu
played just 10 minutes with the Orange opting for a smaller lineup
more than they had the first two games. He continues to be absent on
offense. However, he is the team's best interior defender, and the
team does not need him contributing on offense. This is
Syracuse, we've lived through Craig Forth and Baye Moussa Keita.
Chukwu had four rebounds, and
two blocks this game.
Team
Overview:
The
team started off hot in the first half, especially the closing ten
minutes of the half. They were led by Andrew White, who seemingly
knocked down every shot he took. However, they slowed down
significantly in the second half, and struggled on offense when the
graduate transfer took his foot off the throttle. The defense was on
point though. The Orange held Monmouth to 31.3% from the floor, and
they shot just 13.8% (4-29) from three point range. Howard, Battle,
and White do a great job keeping defenders in front of them, and
preventing dribble penetration. Chukwu and Lydon clean up anything
that does get inside. This defense could be destructive. Howard
continues to prove he is an answer at the point guard position (So,
we don't need you Quade Green! Go be a sell-out Wildcat)...(But,
seriously, Quade, we'd love for you to surprise everyone...).
The freshman had a nice game, Battle showed some maturity in his
performance tonight, and Thompson was a revelation on offense. It's
still just Monmouth, but Syracuse continues to look good. It's nice
to see they have a multitude of options on offense. Even when one
player, Lydon,
struggles, others are capable of picking them up.
Player
Ratings through three games:
Coleman:
6.17
Roberson:
6.67
Lydon:
6.83
White:
8.2
Howard:
7.50
Battle:
5.83
Chukwu:
5.67
Gillon:
6.83
Thompson:
7.33
Team Average: 6.92
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