Reply to thread

Message

[QUOTE="earlfromclay, post: 3211214, member: 1624"]
Heading into this season, we knew the losses of Mangakahia and Drummond would be profound.  To a lesser extent, but still significant to team depth at least, were the transfers of Vorakova and Sissoko.  So,  we all knew this team would most likely not be able to repeat its past performance.  Even still,  after the back to back 4th quarter collapses and subsequent overtime losses I wondered if there was a metric that could provide some answers.  I compared this season through the Michigan game to the 2015-2016 title game season.  A couple things are crystal clear.  Firstly,  and surprisingly,  most statistics are remarkably similar to 2015-2016.   SU's points per game, field goal%, 3pt %, ft%, assists, blocks, and opponents fg% are all very close.  Here is were things start to differ.  On the positive side,  rebounding margin is now +6.2 compared to -0.8 per game.  That looks pretty good.  Now the bad,  and what i believe is the problem for this team.  In 2015-2016 SU stole the ball 12.6 per game,  forced 23.9 turnovers,  and had a turnover margin of +10.1 per game.   This year,  SU steals 6.3 per game, forces 14 turnovers, and has a turnover margin of -1.5 per game.  WOW.  that's a turnover margin difference of 11.6 possessions a game.  On average,  1 point per possession would be an additional 11.6 points per game.   That clearly would have won them the two overtime games.

Alright then.  Now we know whats going on.  What can be done.  IMO,  the press isn't as effective anymore.  I don't think they have the right personnel to press.  Maybe they just aren't quick enough, or don't understand where to be defensively, or a combination. Ultimately. they are expending a lot of wasted energy for no pay off.  I say drop back into the zone,  which has been relatively successful for them this year,  and use the extra energy to better defend the three point line.
[/QUOTE]

Verification

What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?