Man-to-man defense aids Orange in win
West Virginia stayed close with Syracuse during Saturday afternoon’s 72-64 loss largely due to its outside shooting.
The Mountaineers hit 10 3-pointers, including seven in the second half, when West Virginia out-scored the Orange, 42-38. West Virginia’s ability to cut through the zone with crisp passing and inside-out ball movement also forced Syracuse to play man-to-man defense for part of the game.
West Virginia struggled in the first half, shooting just 27 percent. Coincidentally, Syracuse played its best man-to-man defense in the first half, and it helped the Orange build a 12-point halftime advantage.
‘We did a tremendous job of playing man-to-man,’ Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. ‘We’ve played some man-to-man against them in the past and been able to get away with it.’
While Syracuse struggled defensively in the second half, Boeheim sounded optimistic that the Orange can continue playing better man defense as the season progresses.
‘We did a decent job of keeping guys in front of us,’ McNamara said. ‘We came in and expected to play a little man-to-man.’
Syracuse sophomore Darryl Watkins is inching closer toward a return from a torn ligament in his right thumb that has forced him to sit out close to a month.
Watkins injured his right thumb against Albany on Dec. 28, and had surgery two days later. He had the cast removed late last week and warmed up Saturday afternoon wearing padding on his hand.
‘He’s been working out,’ Boeheim said. ‘I didn’t want to put him into a game not knowing.’
Boeheim said Watkins didn’t have a chance to practice with the padding yet, so he wasn’t sure how Watkins would be able to catch and pass the ball. He said future practices will determine Watkins’ status, but it’s possible the sophomore could play Monday night against Rutgers.
Before the injury, Watkins showed signs of great improvement, notching a career-high 14 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks against Drexel on Dec. 18.
One of the biggest obstacles Syracuse has faced this week has been sickness, but it’s hurt sophomore Terrence Roberts the most.
Roberts played just 11 minutes on Tuesday against Georgetown because he was sick and, while he said he was still a little under the weather on Saturday, the sophomore finished with eight points in 15 minutes. Roberts appeared much more active on the floor and drained his four free-throw attempts. He said he anticipates being much better for Monday’s game after some rest.
‘Terrence played better,’ Boeheim said. ‘He’s been really sick, but he hung in there and had a really productive game.’
Syracuse senior Hakim Warrick had a blistering first half against the Mountaineers. Warrick scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the first 20 minutes Saturday. Warrick ended with 22 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
Warrick also went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line in the first half and added a 3-pointer. Besides turning the ball over once, Warrick led the Orange flawlessly.
‘Hakim was tremendous in the first half,’ Boeheim said.
In the second half, Warrick scored just six points, mainly because he faced constant double-teams. Having Warrick double-teamed opened the offense up more for the rest of the team.
Boeheim earned his first technical of the season against the Mountaineers. After Warrick was called for an offensive foul in the second half, Boeheim lit into one of the officials. While it appeared somewhat tame on the Boeheim anger scale, the official disagreed. Moments later, a chorus of boos from the crowd drained out his ensuing tantrum. … Syracuse remains unbeaten at home, having won all 13 games played in the Carrier Dome. … Syracuse has won 12 straight games.
Published on January 23, 2005 at 12:00 pm
